Nifty"Eggs"periment from Dr. Lucas Stevens

Summer is drawing near. If the little ones aren’t at camp, you may run out of ideas to keep them occupied. Why not use a fun and simple science experiment to focus their attention for a while? We found one at Stevens Orthodontics that one includes a lesson about why it’s important to brush teeth to make plaque go away.

Gather the items you will need for this experiment:

--1 hard-boiled egg with the shell on
--12 ounces of Coke, Pepsi or other dark-colored cola
--1 container large enough to hold the cola and egg
--1 plastic bowl
--1 toothbrush
--1 drop of fluoride toothpaste
--Clean-up supplies

Explain to your child that plaque is a sticky layer of germs that collects on her teeth. If she doesn’t brush, plaque can cause serious problems for her teeth, for example holes in the teeth (cavities) or swollen gums (gingivitis). Tell her that you are going to do an experiment to see how plaque coats her teeth, and why brushing twice a day is important for healthy teeth and gums.

Conduct the experiment:

1. Make the comparison between the white color of the egg and the white color of your child's teeth.

2. Place the egg into the container and pour the cola over it, so that it completely covers the egg.

3. Let the egg sit in the cola for 24 hours.

4. Remove the egg from the cola. The egg will be stained and yellowish.
5. Explain to your child that the colored layer that has appeared on top of the eggshell is just like the layer of plaque that occurs on her teeth.

6. Place the egg in the plastic bowl and give your child the toothbrush with the drop of toothpaste on it.

7. Let her brush the "plaque" off of the egg. The yellowish film will disappear, exposing the white eggshell. Explain that the same thing happens when she brushes her teeth.

Everybody is Brushing with Dr. Lucas Stevens in Tallahassee Florida

Everybody is brushing with Dr. Lucas Stevens. Watch this fun video with the kids to learn the importance of oral health!

Suresmile: The Difference is the Technology -- Dr. Lucas Stevens

You may know that we use the SureSmile system at Stevens Orthodontics, but you may not know the difference between SureSmile and conventional orthodontic treatment. We’re proud of offering you the latest in orthodontic technology, and we want to be sure you understand exactly what that means!

From start to finish, our SureSmile system is different at Stevens Orthodontics. Here’s how:

Step One: Identification of Initial Tooth Position

With traditional orthodontics, x-rays are taken and plaster molds of your mouth are made.

With SureSmile, we scan your mouth and teeth with the patented OraScanner, a wand with a tiny camera attached which creates a precise 3-D digital model of your mouth. This model is uploaded into special software that lets us view your mouth and teeth from any angle.

Step Two: Treatment Plan Development

With traditional orthodontics, your treatment plan unfolds over time, as your doctor adjusts your braces and reviews your progress during regular office visits.

With SureSmile, we create your entire treatment plan prior to treatment, using special computer software to analyze the 3-D model of your mouth and develop a custom archwire prescription.

Step Three: Archwire Placement

With traditional orthodontics, your doctor places your archwires on your teeth and adjusts them as needed throughout the course of treatment.

With SureSmile, robotic technology bends Shape Memory Alloy archwires which can “remember” your prescription. All the adjustments are made to the archwire before we place it in your mouth.

Results

With SureSmile's specially programmed archwires, your teeth move more directly into their target positions. The result for our patients is shortened treatment time and a more comfortable experience in braces.

If you have questions about SureSmile, give us a call at Stevens Orthodontics.

Everybody's Brushing at Stevens Orthodontics

At Stevens Orthodontics, we know how important it is to take good care of your teeth. Good oral hygiene starts with proper brushing. So, we found this fun video to show your kids and teach them how fun brushing can be!

March of Dimes and Stevens Orthodontics -- We Have 30 Days Left

Our days are numbered, 30 left to be exact.

On April 18th, Stevens Orthodontics joins the March of Dimes to raise money for babies and mothers.

So far we have raised over $1,000! With your help we can raise more. The money helps babies who are born with birth defects, educates mothers about how to increase the chance of having a healthy baby, provides comfort to families with a newborn in intensive care, and pushes for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children.

Please help us support the March of Dimes by visiting our team website www.marchforbabies.org/teams/stevensorthodontics to make a donation. Or meet us on April 18, 2009 at Cascades Park. Just bring a $10 donation and wear your Dr. Stevens t-shirt and you will receive 10 wooden nickels just for walking with us.

Thank you for your support. We hope to see you out there.

Stevens Orthodontics

Resolve to Give Yourself a Beautiful Smile Sooner from Stevens Orthodontics

We’re all making that annual list of new year’s resolutions. Why not add “straightening my teeth” to your list? At Stevens Orthodontics, we use SureSmile treatment, which on average takes 40% less time than traditional braces. By using state-of-the-art technology, the SureSmile process improves on conventional orthodontics in three important ways:

Digital Imaging

Instead of using a plaster model, we create a 3-dimensional representation of your teeth using advanced imaging technology.

Virtual Treatment Planning

We use special treatment planning software to create virtual simulations of your teeth and how they will move. This allows us to create the most efficient plan to move your teeth.

Shape-Memory Alloy

Based on your unique treatment plan, a robot bends an archwire made of a special alloy that gently moves your teeth directly into their final position.

Together, these technologies result in fewer visits to our office during treatment, more effective movement of your teeth, and a shorter and more comfortable experience than what can be expected from conventional braces.

Get started on that list of resolutions – give us a call now at Stevens Orthodontics to set up a consultation.You may just be smiling before the year is out!

Wii Love Your Referrals at Stevens Orthdontics

WIN A NINTENDO Wii

CONTEST RULES

For every friend you send as a new patient to Dr. Stevens we will enter your name into a drawing for a new Nintendo Wii!

1. Please have your referral give your name when they schedule their appointment.

2. Your name will be entered in the drawing after they have completed the initial exam.

3. There are no limits as to how many people you refer.

4. Contest ends March 31st.