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Dr. Tabacchi wants you to have a Healthy, Fantastic smile!
In our office the goal is to give you the most fantastic smile possible. A fantastic smile consists of straight teeth and a functional bite.
The benefits of straight teeth allows patients to keep their teeth and gums cleaner for their long-term health and also increase their overall self-esteem and feeling of well-being.
Dr. Tabacchi has recently received the honor of being awarded her Board Certification. Click "Read More" to view an excerpt directly from the ABO website that describes what it means to be able to claim this prestigious designation.
Dr. Tabacchi has recently received the honor of being awarded her Board Certification. The excerpt below is directly from the ABO website and describes what it means to be able to claim this prestigious designation.
"A board certified orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an American Dental Association accredited graduate program in the specialty of orthodontics. A dentist who graduates from a specialty program becomes an orthodontic specialist who is eligible to become board certified through the voluntary examination process of The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). Involvement in the certification process is a demonstration of the orthodontist's pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence."
Dr. Tabacchi has recently been awarded the prestigious designation of being a Board Certified Orthodontist. Approximately only 20% of orthodontists in the United States hold the designation.
Today's world is full of SUPER SIZING everything! Yes, even in orthodontics. Dr. Tabacchi felt that her practice should return to good old fashioned service, where you interact with your doctor throughout treatment. But, she wanted to combine the old fashioned service with the advanced technology of today........and you get "Tabacchi Orthodontics!"
Her philosophy is to give every patient "CUSTOMIZED CARE." What that means is every patient is different, even though they may have similarities in their teeth, each patient is still an individual. So, every patient receives a customized treatment plan, just for them. Dr. Tabacchi uses the advanced technology in the practice to allow very detailed measurements to determine the most effective and efficient course of treatment for each individual patient.
It is also Dr. Tabacchi's philosophy to give several options for treatment, allowing the patient to have input in how extensive their treatment may be. An option will only be given if the end result will allow the patient a great smile with a functional, stable bite. However, the ideal, recommended treatment option is always disclosed by Dr. Tabacchi for each patient.
The ultimate bottom-line difference is....
If your child is older than age 7, it's certainly not too late for an orthodontic check-up! Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, Dr. Tabacchi's goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time. She does a growth STAGE analysis on each growing patient, which is critical in determining effective treatment timing.
If a problem is detected, Dr. Tabacchi will recommend the most appropriate treatment and clearly line out the goals of the Early Phase of treatment.
Early Treatment can do many things:
Problems to Watch for in Growing Children:
Also, If you notice any of the following in your child, contact Dr. Tabacchi:
Dr. Tabacchi will recommend Early Phase 1 Treatment ONLY if a patient can benefit from interceptive treatment. There is a lot of "unnecessary" early treatment pushed upon families, and Dr. Tabacchi feels that it is important to clearly line out the benefits and goals of any Early Treatment she recommends. And it is important for parents and patients to understand that a followup of Comprehensive (Full) Treatment will follow the Early Phase 1 Treatment. This allows patients to be prepared mentally and parents to be prepared financially.
Proper brushing and flossing is a CRITICAL KEY to treatment success. The patient has a responsibility to keep plaque off of the braces and gums. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria bugs that form on your teeth, and if left there, builds up and causes tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease and permanent scars (plaque scars or decalcification).
Dr. Tabacchi is very serious about excellent hygiene. This means the patient must have excellent home care habits. Each patient is supplied with tools to aid in great home care.
Guidelines for Excellent Hygiene:
Tabacchi Orthodontics Oral Hygiene Program:
The program consists of "grading" your oral hygiene at each appointment. You are encouraged to grade yourself everyday after you brush. We will even ask you what you think your grade is for that day, before we grade you!
The goal of the Oral Hygiene Program is to ensure that your teeth and gums will be in the healthiest condition during treatment. Then, after your treatment you will have a Bright, Fantastic SMILE!
Computerized Braces (OrthoCAD iQ)
By use of the computer, Dr. Tabacchi is able to optimally place each individual bracket on our patients teeth. Our patients are able to have Silver Braces or Cosmetic Braces along with this cutting edge technology.
Silver Braces: Today's metal braces are much smaller and are improved for more effective and efficient tooth movement. They are made of high-grade stainless steel. COLORS can be placed on these braces for added fun each appointment!
Cosmetic, Tooth Colored Braces: These braces are clear and made of a ceramic. They are much less noticeable, while just as effective as the silver braces!
Invisalign
We want you to become used to your braces as quickly as possible. Every patient is different, and therefore each patient experiences various adjustment periods such as when wires are changed, eating with braces, playing sports or instruments, etc.
When braces are placed, or when adjustments are made, your teeth and gums may feel tender initially. The amount of discomfort varies from patient to patient, but usually does not last for more than two or three days. Tylenol or Advil can be taken as needed. Also, use the "comfort wafer" given to you in your home care kit.
Your bite and tooth movement will be changing week by week. Be patient with the changes, and do exactly what Dr. Tabacchi asks you to do. Your smile is a work in progress!! So smile as you go!
Playing sports: yes! you can continue with your sports. BUT, make sure that you get a mouthguard from us. If you participate in baseball, basketball,soccer, football, hockey, extreme sports (BMX biking, skateboarding, and in-line skating), wrestling, and other contact sports you need a mouthguard!
Playing musical instruments: Yes! You can continue with your instrument. However, you may experience a short re-learning time. In addition, you will possibly need to place extra wax on the front braces for comfort.
It is crucial to closely follow the FOOD LIST. If you have any questions, please click on the Food List link in this sections to review.
You will need to allow extra time for brushing and flossing.
| Food List |
| Absolutely NO! NO! |
| GUM POPCORN STICKY FOOD HARD,CRUNCHY FOOD |
| · |
| · Ice, Nuts, Beef Jerky, Hard/Crunchy Pizza Crust, Jolly Ranchers, Sweet Tarts, M&M’s, Sprees, Suckers, Whole Apples/Carrots/Corn on the Cob, Doritos, Fritos, Cookies, Crackers, Cheetos, Crunchy Bacon, Bagels, Chips |
| Eat much less: Foods with sugar, cake, pie, ice cream |
| Drink much less: Pop, Soft Drinks, Drinks with sugar |
Ideas to Help AVOID BREAKAGE:
1. Cut up fruit/vegetables into small pieces
2. Do not move jaw/bite in abnormal side to side movements or scissor-bite
3. Do NOT chew on pens, pencils, fingernails
4. Do NOT poke at/play with braces with fingers, tongue, or other objects
We want to take care of you. So if you need us, call us!
It is important to distinguish between a 'Repair' and a 'True Orthodontic Emergency.'
True Orthodontic Emergency
Please call our office at 913.451.2900 and press 1 and you will be directed to the emergency mailbox. Make sure your telephone recording reflects the difference between a 'repair' and an 'emergency', so we can best handle the situation.
After Braces come off or Invisalign treatment is complete, it's really UP TO YOU!
Dr. Tabacchi believes in LIFETIME RETENTION. She wants to help you protect the wonderful smile you have invested in. In fact, she will be happy to see you for a retainer evaluation WITHOUT A COST TO YOU! If your retainer is not fitting properly, please call us. The only time a cost will apply is if a NEW retainer must be made.
Remember: Retainers must be worn as a lifetime commitment. It is the ONLY way to preserve your SMILE!
Archwire: the archwire is tied to all of the brackets and creates force to move teeth into proper alignment
Attachments: attachments are tooth-colored "bumps" placed on certain teeth to aid in Invisalign tooth movement. They are removed at the end of Invisalign treatment
Brackets (braces): brackets are directly glued/cemented/bonded to the teeth and hold the archwire in place. They can be silver metal or tooth colored ceramic.
Bands: the band is a cemented ring of metal (a ring brace) which wraps around the tooth
Ligature: the archwire is held to each bracket with a ligature, which can be a colored elastic tie or a fine metal tie
Clincheck: clincheck is a 3-D treatment plan for Invisalign patients
Chrome Steel Crowns (metal caps): chrome steel crowns are used when special appliances are needed, such as an expander or a Herbst
Class I: this refers to how the bite fits together--the upper and lower molars are in a good relationship
Class II: this refers to how the bite fits together--the lower jaw and teeth are too far back and possibly the upper teeth flare(protrude) forward
Class III: this refers to how the bite fits together--the upper jaw and teeth are too far back and/or the lower jaw and teeth are too far forward
Elastics: elastics are rubber bands which attach to hooks on the brackets or archwire. The run from the top arch to the bottom arch. Elastics help move the teeth into a better bite position.
Spacers (separators): spacers are tiny blue rubber circles which are stretched between the teeth to make room for bands or chrome caps.
Straight teeth aren't just for kids anymore! More and more adults are having orthodontic treatment to improve their health and their smiles. Treatment is more advanced than ever before, and the results can be dazzling. In fact, nearly 50% of Dr. Tabacchi's patients are adults!!
Why Should YOU Have Treatment?
Talk to Dr. Tabacchi about your possibilities with orthodontic treatment! She loves to make people smile, at ANY AGE!!
