| Cass native returns to roots
Becoming an orthodontist wasn't always what Dr. Elizabeth "Nikki" Dockerty Smith had in mind.While a pathology major in graduate school at Indiana University-Indianapolis, she started a class with orthodontic residents. With the over-crowding of her teeth, one of the residents took her on as a patient, she said.The experience convinced her to start dental school at the age of 24.After a recent move from a large practice in South Bend, Smith opened the doors to a new full-time orthodontic practice called Harmony Orthodontics in Logansport on Nov. 1. After 12 years of schooling, including two years of orthodontics at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Smith received her MSD and Orthodontic Certificate in 2005. She also became certified by the American Board of Orthodontics in 2005.Smith said she enjoys her line of work and helping other people."I just think it is the greatest thing in the world," she said.
Cardinals president buys $4.4M PV home
The president and general counsel of the Arizona Cardinals, a major league baseball player, a North Dakota attorney, an owner of an Indiana waste removal company and an orthodontist are among the buyers and sellers in this weeks done deals. $4,425,000.Michael Bidwill bought a 7,632 square-foot home with 770 square-foot pool originally built in 2002 on the east side of the Paradise Valley Country Club in Paradise Valley. Michael Bidwill is president, general counsel of the Arizona Cardinals football team, as well as son of the team owner, Bill Bidwill. The home was sold by Chevy Chase Bank in Laurel, Md. $4,006,000. Kyle and Gabrielle Lohse purchased a 7,254 square-foot home with 900 square-foot pool originally built in 2006 east of Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale. Kyle Lohse is a pitcher acquired last July by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Cincinnati Reds.
Robots, computers take the sting out of braces
HILLSBORO, Ore. - Like pimple cream and SAT tests, braces are a rite of passage for most teens. Having a mouth full of metal during the high school years dates back decades, but the technology behind orthodontics hasn't changed very much in nearly 100 years.Until now. High-powered computers and advanced robotics have crept into the orthodontist's office, and one doctor in Hillsboro says the results have been positive beyond his expectations. Dr. Matt Biermann, who has a practice in Hillsboro, is one of a few orthodontists using the new Sure Smile system, a combination of three-dimensional computer imaging, exotic alloys and robotics."We're seeing a 40 to 50 percent less treatment time, with more predictable, and quite frankly, better results than traditional orthodontics," Dr. Biermann said.When braces are adjusted, the wire system is tightened according to how much the patient's have teeth have moved since the patient's last visit.
Orthodontic work at a fraction of the cost
Dental work isn't cheap these days. Healthline 3's Beth Fisher recently talked to a parent who said he spent $6,000 on his son's braces. The Healthline 3 Team found a unique program that gets you the quality orthodontic work you need and want at a fraction of the cost. Parker Simonsen is ready for another orthodontics appointment. His teeth are straightening out, but Parker's dad knows the appointment could cost a lot of money. So Parker is one of many patients helping UNLV resident dentists, like Dr. Doug Simister, become orthodontists. Dr. Simister has been a dentist in the valley for eight years. He is one of 16 residents enrolled in UNLV's 24 month orthodontics residency program that started for the first time in the fall of 2005. The program needs between 800 and 1,000 patients.
Woman fulfills her Everett childhood vow
Almost 10 years ago, a kid with a catchy name and an inspirational story won a national honor, appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and made a bold vow.
Raised in low-income housing in north Everett, 17-year-old Liberty Franklin said in 1998 her goal was to become an orthodontist. She wanted to put straight-toothed smiles on the faces of the poor.
That year, the Everett High School girl was named national Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She visited President Bill Clinton at the White House, met Gen. Colin Powell, and within weeks returned to Washington, D.C., as the only teen on a school violence panel.
It was also the year the Oprah show sent a crew to the Boys & Girls Club in north Everett to film a profile of Liberty. Her story was used by Oprah's Angel Network, a fundraising program for Boys & Girls Club scholarships.
No reason to sacrifice taste for orthodontia
Crunchy apples covered in sticky caramel and nuts, jawbreakers, popcorn balls, bubble gum for ghosts and goblins with braces on their teeth, there might be more tricks than treats in their Halloween bags. Kids (and adults) who wear braces must avoid a lot of foods, including many of the treats handed out for Halloween. Suckers, chewing gum, taffy, caramels, fruit chews and gummy bears all are on the ''No'' list that Cuyahoga Falls orthodontist Michael Jack gives his patients. Jack's cardinal rules: Avoid foods that are sticky and foods that are hard. Sticky foods can pop wires or loosen the bands orthodontists place on molars, while hard items like candy, ice or carrot sticks tend to break brackets on front teeth, he said. For Jack, the most frightening part of Halloween is the glut of emergency appointments that will jam his schedule after trick-or-treating is over and his patients are feasting on bags of candy.
Scary, sweet treats are easy on braces
Having braces means straighter, healthier teeth in the long run. But times like Halloween can be challenging for kids, teens and even adults with braces who are tempted by the many sticky treats. Taffy-like candies can stick to braces, while other goodies may even snap pieces of the metalwork. The American Association or Orthodontists has teamed up with celebrity pastry chef Gale Gand of the Food Network to promote braces-friendly recipes and National Orthodontic Health Month in October. The ideas are tasty and could be good additions to any recipe file not only for Halloween but throughout the year (minus the spooky twists). The Peanut Butter Eyeballs are a fun option that could be traded for a trick-or-treater's haul of candies that could get stuck in or damage braces. After Halloween, bring the recipe out and change the food-coloring designs to fit Christmas or just omit them and let the white-chocolate coating dress up the peanut butter balls.
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