When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary? Dr. Studebaker Explains...

Great question. Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

When we at Studebaker Orthodontics have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:
•An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
•A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
•A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

Has your child visited our office for a complimentary consultation? If not, please give us a call and let Dr. Robert Studebaker help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile

January featured patient reviews for Studebaker Orthodontics!

Our staff at Studebaker Orthodontics loooooove hearing from our patients! Here are three patient reviews we wanted to feature this month!

“The office staff is friendly and helpful. The Orthodontist has nice personality. The office waiting area is comfortable!!” ~ Stephen P.

“I love everything about this orthodontist very modern up to date and they are so advance i wouldn't think of going anywhere else.” ~ Malissa G.

"Wonderful Orthdontist: The staff is wonderful and very informative. They make you feel comfortable and explain everything. Very good with younger kids too. Willing to work with you. Fair. I am very pleased." ~ Anonymous

"This doctor/practice is awesome...They are very high tech and they explain everything to you to the T!!! Very clean;/sanitary!!! Dr. Studebaker's staff is excellent!!!
Very attentive...
A+ from me!!!" ~ LA-BRACEFACE!

Here comes the Braces Brigade!

At Studebaker Orthodontics, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team at Studebaker Orthodontics encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our Spring, Texas office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Studebaker!

Have a great weekend!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2011 is here—and what a year 2010 was at Studebaker Orthodontics! Today, we thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to this year? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

What helps you relax at Studebaker Orthodontics?

Dr. Studebaker and team understand not everyone is thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But here at Studebaker Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. Today, we’d like to know: What is it about Studebaker Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you or your child at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our courteous staff? Dr. Studebaker himself?

Let us know by posting on Facebook or by giving us a call! Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues!

See you all in 2011!

When should you call Dr. Studebaker?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Studebaker Orthodontics. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with Dr. Studebaker and team:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Spring, Klein, Tomball, The Woodlands and surrounding areas!

Season's greetings from Studebaker Orthodontics!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at Studebaker Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us here, or on our Facebook page, all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Happy Holidays!

- Dr. Studebaker & team

Hey Dr. Studebaker! What's Invisalign, and is it right for me? [Video]

We've discussed Invisalign treatment in the past, and thought we'd share with you a helpful video that walks you through the process of Invisalign a bit "clearer."

The Invisalign system at Studebaker Orthodontics is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our office. Dr. Robert Studebaker is a Certified Invisalign Provider, offering Invisalign for teens and adults.

Here's how it works: You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Studebaker has prescribed. You'll visit our office about once every 6 weeks (on average) to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

If you've been wanting to straighten your teeth but are unsure about going through traditional orthodontic treatment, please give Dr. Studebaker and team a call to learn if Invisalign is the right option for you!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!!

At the movies with Studebaker Orthodontics!

Dr. Studebaker and our entire team look forward to seeing all of you at our Patient Appreciation Movie Day on Saturday, December 4th at 2 p.m. at the Silverado Theater in Tomball.

We will be watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! We will be there at 1 p.m. passing out tickets in a blue van with balloons.

See you all there!

Happy Thanksgiving from Studebaker Orthodontics!

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, Dr. Studebaker and our entire staff at Studebaker Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality orthodontic care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Talking retainers with Studebaker Orthodontics

Have you recently completed your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Robert Studebaker? If so, we’d like to congratulate you again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Studebaker will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, Dr. Studebaker will tell you that teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Studebaker and our staff is the best way to make sure that the treatment improvements at Studebaker Orthodontics last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment, please visit our website for retainer instructions and check out this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call at 281-251-9229!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Ask Dr. Studebaker: Do cold germs live on toothbrushes?

Fall is here, and so is the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, our staff at Studebaker Orthodontics will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook if you have any questions!

Dr. Studebaker & team visit Austin for the 90th annual Southwestern Society of Orthodontists meeting

Dr. Robert Studebaker and our staff are committed to continuing education and providing the best orthodontic care possible for our patients in Spring, Klein, The Woodlands and nearby neighborhoods. This includes visiting various important orthodontic-related conferences and seminars around the country.

What did we do this past weekend? We got smarter at the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists 90th Annual Session in Austin, TX.

If you've got an appointment scheduled with Dr. Studebaker in the coming weeks, we encourage you to ask him about his perspectives on the Austin session, including what he learned and how continuing education and acquisition of new technology helps us at Studebaker Orthodontics treat you more effectively!

Share your experience at Studebaker Orthodontics with the world!

At Studebaker Orthodontics, we know what it takes to achieve a great smile! We recognize that every patient has different needs, and we pride ourselves on the courteous and professional service we provide to each and every patient. Dr. Studebaker and team believe that orthodontic treatment should be a fun, rewarding experience.

Whether you've visited Studebaker Orthodontics for a week or a year, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our practice is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there. After all, reviews help Dr. Studebaker and team create more beautiful smiles in Spring, Klein, The Woodlands and surrounding communities!

You may write a review here. Thanks in advance and have a great week! We all look forward to reading your reviews!

October featured patient reviews for Studebaker Orthodontics!

"The Staff! I have never met a more Wonderful Group of Employee's. They are so warm, inviting. It all comes from a Wonderful Orthodontist." ~ Loren L.

"Friendly and informative! Love his staff and facility." ~ Jana B.

"His attention to patients, details and overall demeanor when dealing with patients. Dr. Studebaker is a very nice and thorough doctor." ~ Susette M.

"I like that he is really nice and he tells me exactly what is going into my mouth. He is awesome! You rock Dr. Studebaker!" ~ Keith S.

"Your office staff is like family. We have enjoyed doing business with you!!!" ~ Lesley K.

At Studebaker Orthodontics, October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our staff at Studebaker Orthodontics wanted to remind Dr. Studebaker's patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this month. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding this Halloween Season! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time!

Also, in honor of “Orthodontic Health Month,” we’d thought we’d ask: What do you love about your braces? Share your story on our Facebook page!

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Clelia, the winner of the iPod Touch Contest! You did a great job. Thanks to everyone who participated.

PS, did you know October is National Orthodontic Health Month? Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding this Halloween Season! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time at Studebaker Orthodontics!

Studebaker Orthodontics at the First Houston Angioma Awareness Fun Run/Walk!

Our entire staff at Studebaker Orthodontics was excited to support some of our dear patients by participating in the First Houston Angioma Awareness Fun Run/Walk on September 25th. We had a great time and we look forward to be part of future events.

According to the website, cavernous angioma is a mulberry-shaped abnormal blood vessels in the brain or spine. For information on the Angioma Alliance Organization, please visit www.angioma.org. For more photos from the event, please head over to our Facebook page.

September featured patient reviews for Studebaker Orthodontics!

Our staff at Studebaker Orthodontics loooooove hearing from our patients! Here are three patient reviews we wanted to feature this month!

"I cannot think of a thing better - you all were amazing with us, especially my son." ~ Trey S.

"Everyone is so sweet and nice! I look forward to coming every time because the staff makes me laugh and they care!" ~ Audrey S.

"They are very high tech and they explain everything to you to the T!!! Very clean;/sanitary!!! Dr. Studebaker's staff is excellent!!! Very attentive... A+ from me!!!" ~ Gutie

Foods you should avoid, from Studebaker Orthodontics

There are a variety of foods Dr. Robert Studebaker wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Most foods can damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or break the brackets on your braces. If you have braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch causes plaque, cavities and tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods to Avoid
• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask Dr. Studebaker or our staff during your next visit! Happy Monday!