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When Orthodontic Treatment Isn’t the Solution
Many people find themselves thinking about their appearance this time of year. How do I update my wardrobe to stay current with the trends? Which diet should I try? How do I look my best? Recently, a mother came into my office with her appearance in mind. I had treated her children years earlier and hadn’t seen her since. Now she’s in her 60s and making health a priority. By taking simple steps like exercising every day and skipping a glass of wine in the evenings, she’s lost over 50 pounds.
After getting over her surprise and accepting my perspective, she felt relieved that there was no issue with her teeth. She shared that she felt a lot better about her smile and that she appreciated it just the way it was. For my part, I felt glad to be able to confirm that she had a wonderful smile all along. It was her perspective that needed to align with her appearance. Addressing concerns about your appearance at any age can be life- changing, even when you get confirmation that it’s perfect just the way it is. We’re lucky to live in an age with so many options for treatment. My job is to help you find the right fit for you, even if it’s just a directive to keep your smile healthy and avoid peanut brittle.
"My job is to help you find the right fit for you, even if it’s just a directive to keep your smile healthy and avoid peanut brittle."
Kids, too, can suffer from insecurity about their appearance. Sadly, some kids can be cruel to their peers when their appearance is different, and misaligned teeth can add fuel to a bully’s insults. Fifth and sixth- graders, especially, tend to be at an age when anything that’s different is a reason to tease. One of my recent patients was in this age group, and I treated her for a severe underbite. We did Phase 1 treatment, which is an earlier treatment plan. By doing treatment now with a full set of braces, we potentially avoid more dramatic problems later. Her Phase 1 treatment could be the difference between having braces now and having to undergo jaw surgery later. Orthodontic treatment is an investment, and may not always be the right prescription. But when appropriate, it can give life-changing results. Whichever treatment plan is right for you, remember that the way you look at your smile is what matters most.
Still, she wasn’t satisfied with her appearance. After her weight loss journey, she was ready to have a smile that matched her newfound self. Remembering our office from the days when I treated her kids, she came in to talk about getting braces for herself. She explained to me that she had started to notice the protrusion of her teeth and believed braces would correct the problem. Upon completing my exam with her, I stated, “You don’t need braces.” I explained to her that her teeth were in alignment and there was no malocclusion or overbite that would require braces. Her natural smile was great just the way it was.
—Dr. Demas
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(860) 276-0333 | www.teamdemas.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
WANT TO SEE BETTER REPORT CARDS IN 2018?
MAKE READING A FAMILY RESOLUTION
SET REWARDMILESTONES Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring. recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household. USE READING APPS Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find
Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms. MAKE IT A FAMILY RESOLUTION There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained. Like many industry-changing inventions, Invisalign began with one person’s quest to improve technology. Zia Chishti was a student at Stanford and an adult orthodontics patient when he got his braces removed. Getting brackets and wires removed is a time-intensive, cumbersome procedure. As Chishti sat in the chair, he wondered if there was a better way. When the doctor presented him with a retainer, his mind began racing. It was an old-school plastic-and-wire retainer, but it was also the germ of the idea for the plastic aligners that Invisalign is famous for today. After meeting with Kelsey Werth, another Stanford student, the two began to develop prototypes. Eventually, they came upon the idea of custom, 3-D printed clear aligners that would straighten teeth. By 1997, Chishti and Werth founded Align Technology and set to work securing a patent and FDA approval. The Invisalign system hit the market a year later. When the technology was introduced, orthodontists were hesitant to use it. Invisalign was brand-new, developed by people outside of the industry, and unproven. Venture capital companies in Silicon Valley, however, sensed an opportunity. Flush with cash, Invisalign started a marketing campaign designed to win the hearts and minds of not just doctors, but of prospective patients as well. The New York Times called it “the most aggressive consumer advertising plan the dental profession has ever seen.”
HOW INVISALIGN REVOLUTIONIZED ORTHODONTICS A TRULY ALTERNATIVE IDEA
Though the product was sound, Invisalign had serious spending issues. They threw away much of the funding they had secured. After a change in leadership, they began to focus on making Invisalign an operable business instead of simply a good idea. Despite an inauspicious start, Invisalign is now regarded as a viable alternative to traditional braces for all but the most severe cases. Because they are clear and removable, they’ve become extremely popular among adults seeking orthodontic treatment. Invisalign has continued to improve their technology, even creating an Invisalign Teen system aimed at adolescents. As patients have come around to Invisalign, so too have dentists and orthodontists. Most dental schools require that students complete Invisalign training before graduation. While traditional braces are still popular, Invisalign is clearly not a flash in the pan. Millions of patients have experienced great results using the clear aligners, and the number continues to rise. The days of Invisalign’s reputation as a scrappy young startup are long gone. Despite some initial roadblocks, the company has set itself on a clear path to long-term success.
R THEORY KITCHEN
LOCAL BUSINESS BRINGS HEALTHY MEALS TO YOUR DOOR
Looking at their online menu is enough to make your mouth water, with pictures of poached salmon with curried yogurt sauce and lean meatloaf with mashed potatoes, to name a few. Options range from “comfort foods” — like mac and cheese with cornbread — to vegan and gluten-free options, to fully customized meals that let you plan your own menu. Following a paleo plan? Choose from several tasty and filling protein options. The customized orders allow you to choose different types of food and amount you want of each. You also decide the frequency of delivery, from once a week to biweekly. For two weeks’ worth of ready-made lunches, the biweekly delivery is a great deal. Don’t pull one more Hot Pocket out of the office freezer. Having your lunch ready to go before work? That’s a healthy — and easy —way to go. If you find yourself with more obligations and less time to make healthy meals this year, RTheory is a great option. You can find the menu and delivery options at Rtheorykitchen.com. Fill out your own custom order and have food delivered starting this week. Proper nutrition keeps your whole body functioning, from your teeth to your toes, so make the smart choices to give it the nutrients it needs.
If you’re looking for a way to include healthy food in your family's diet, you don’t have to look far. RTheory is a local meal delivery service that takes the guesswork out of the question of what’s for dinner. All meals are prepared using fresh and local ingredients at an industrial kitchen in Southington, and RTheory delivers all over Connecticut to bring tasty prepared meals right to your door.
TAKE A BREAK
SLOW COOKER RASPBERRY WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE
Looking for a way to prepare a warm treat for the kids while they’re out building snowmen? Break out the slow cooker and enjoy the best hot cocoa you’ve ever had!
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
1 cup white chocolate chips
• • •
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups heavy cream, divided
4 tablespoons raspberry liqueur or syrup
3 cups milk (any variety will do)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a slow cooker, combine white
3. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip until stiff peaks form. 4. Serve mugs of hot chocolate with about 1 tablespoon of raspberry liqueur or syrup to taste and a dollop of whipped cream.
chocolate chips, condensed milk, 1 cup cream, and milk. Cover and heat on low about 2 hours. 2. In a large bowl, mix remaining 1 cup cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
Recipe inspired by SlowCookerGourmet.net
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3 2 1 INS I DE TH I S ISSUE
How to Change You r Smi l e i n One Look
The Re so l u t i on Tha t Leads to Be t t e r Grade s
Hea l t hy Food Mi nus Hou r s o f Mea l P r ep
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ESCAPE TO NICARAGUA
THE COUNTRY THAT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
After the hectic holiday season, many of us feel like we need another vacation just to unwind. Luckily, January and February are two of the best months to travel. Flight prices plummet and crowds thin out after the Christmas rush. If you’re looking to escape the dreary winter weather, there’s no better place to visit this season than Nicaragua, the “Central American country that has it all,” as Condé Nast Traveler puts it. Whether you're looking to explore the rainforests surrounding the Río San Juan or get lost in the quirky-yet-beautiful architecture of Granada, there’s something for everyone in this tropical wonderland.
One must-see destination is the Cerro Negro volcano. Just a baby at 150 years old, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the region. It only takes about an hour to scale its smoking, black gravel surface, and the verdant forests surrounding the peak are a sight to behold. Adventurous travelers can board down the side, reaching ludicrous speeds as they teeter and try not to fall. In fact, it’s almost impossible to travel anywhere in the country without seeing an “I boarded a volcano” T-shirt. If relaxing on a pearlescent beach is more your speed, take a short boat trip out to the Corn Islands. There, you can amble around the small towns bordering the shockingly blue Pacific, visit a number of laid-back seafood restaurants, get scuba certified for a fraction of the price anywhere else in the world, or just read your book as you swing in a hammock by the waves. You can also visit the gorgeous, alabaster Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in “new” Léon. The biggest church in all of Central America, this unique Baroque and neoclassicist structure was built in 1814. Visitors can climb onto its roof (as long as they don’t wear shoes) and bask in the view of surrounding volcanoes (including Cerro Negro). If you’re planning on heading to Nicaragua, it’s best to do it soon. Neighbor Costa Rica often overflows with tourists, and instead of wading through the crowds there, many travelers are catching on to what Nicaragua has to offer.
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(860) 276-0333 | www.teamdemas.com
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