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I Want a Perfect Smile When My Braces Come Off!

smile

LAST UPDATED: OCTOBER 31, 2017

Many people in search of a beautiful smile seek help from a qualified orthodontist. When the word “orthodontics” is used, it refers to a specialty in the field of dentistry that centers on improper bites and misaligned teeth. Although it is possible to receive orthodontic treatment such as braces or Invisalign from your general dentist, an orthodontic specialist is a dentist who continued their full time education to complete 2-3 years of an orthodontic residency to understand how the teeth move through the bone. While it is not required to achieve board certification to be an orthodontist, some orthodontists make the extra effort to become a board certified.

If you have concerns about your teeth or bite, you may already be aware that you need to see an experienced professional to be fitted with a corrective device. The goal of such devices is to improve your physical appearance and help your teeth and jaw to function at what is determined an optimum level for you. Although there can be a surprisingly wide variation in the recommended treatment plans between orthodontists and results can vary in regard to the esthetics of the face, profile and smile, seeking out a board certified orthodontist is an excellent first step. During your visit, you can ask them to show you examples of other people they have treated with similar tooth / jaw position issues as yours to get an idea of their approach to treatment.

FAQ

Seeking Proper Orthodontic Care

Most irregularities with your teeth, jaw and bones can be remedied through proper orthodontic care. Depending on the specific issue you are facing, the treatment recommended may range from a comprehensive approach with full braces, full Invisalign and possible auxiliaries such as elastics to a limited treatment of only lower or upper teeth where only a few teeth are moved.

During the course of treatment, such devices will move your teeth into normal, healthy alignment. When this has been accomplished, the corrective devices will be removed, and you will have a beautiful smile with a healthy bite.

Some people, especially adults, do not seek out an orthodontist because they are concerned about the appearance / comfort of traditional metal braces. Fortunately, an orthodontist who has actively pursued continuing education courses after completion of their residency will be able to offer other alternatives such as clear braces that don’t stain or clear, removable trays (such as Invisalign) to move the teeth.

Invisible Orthodontics

Invisalign treatment involves the use of a series of clear, plastic aligners that you are instructed to wear in a particular sequence. Your orthodontic specialist will likely begin by creating a profile for you, followed by a specific treatment plan that generally includes the following steps:

• Reviewing your dental history, looking at current position of the teeth and bite
• Taking x-rays and photographs
• Taking a laser light scan to accurately register the position of your teeth

After these initial records are completed, your specialist will prepare a written evaluation including his or her recommendations for your therapy. Further modification is usually required to achieve an optimum result. To accomplish this, an orthodontist experienced with the Invisalign product will use a combination of written requests as well as directly performing movement of the teeth on the computer. The Invisalign website is an excellent first step in finding an orthodontist in your area who is experienced in the use of clear aligner therapy. Typically an orthodontist with “Elite” status or above is currently using Invisalign on at least 1/3 of all their patients. Just as with braces, the results you will achieve with Invisalign depend on which doctor you have selected to provide your treatment, since it is their diagnosis and treatment plan that determines your result (assuming that you comply with the instructions to wear them 22 hrs /day). It will be necessary to move each of your misaligned teeth in stages until they are eventually positioned in the desired location. The amount of movement needed for your case will determine how many sets of clear aligners you will be given during the course of your treatment.

Comfort

Prospective patients sometimes have concerns about how comfortable orthodontic treatment will be. Although this will depend on which techniques your orthodontist chooses to use and their particular approach / philosophy, most discomfort associated with orthodontics is no longer noticeable within 3 days of an appointment.
For tooth soreness associated with tooth movement, we recommend soft foods. Tylenol can be taken according to the directions on the package if needed. There is also a product that soothes the teeth through gentle vibration, like a massage for your teeth (“Acceledent”) which can be purchased through your orthodontist.

Time Frame

You may be wondering about the time frame associated with wearing braces, Invisalign or other types of corrective devices. Because the length of time it takes to realign crooked teeth or fix a bite varies from one person to the next, you should ask how long your practitioner anticipates that you will need to wear your customized device at the time he or she completes your evaluation.

Retainers

As you may have suspected, there is a recovery process that must naturally occur after braces are removed. This is because the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth need time to get used to their new position.

For patients who have finished their treatment, we usually recommend a combination of a removable upper retainer to use while sleeping and a permanent lower retainer (very small wire placed behind the lower front 6 teeth). At any point in time, the teeth can shift to a different position if retainers are not in place. It is important to follow all instructions given to you concerning the use and care of your retainer.

Additional Tips

• Always pay special attention to the backs of your teeth with brushing to avoid decay and calculus buildup, especially if you have a bonded wire retainer placed behind your front teeth

• Use a floss threader if you have a bonded wire retainer placed behind your front teeth, as this type flossing tool allows you to reach areas that would otherwise be blocked by the retainer.

• If you lose or misplace a removable retainer or break a bonded (“glued in”) wire retainer, you should immediately contact your orthodontic specialist.

Benefits

Almost anyone can benefit from having teeth abnormalities corrected. Below are just a few of the many advantages you may likely experience once you seek such treatment:

• Higher self-confidence
• More attractive appearances
• Straight teeth are easier to clean
• Ability to bite into sandwiches effectively
• Healthier environment for gums
• Easier chewing

Achieving and maintaining a beautiful, healthy looking smile is advantageous for essentially everyone. If you are concerned about the health of your teeth or the appearance of your smile, you should make an appointment with one of our experienced orthodontists as soon as possible at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics.

kira

What is an Orthodontist?

Real Patients - What is an Orthodontist
LAST UPDATED: JUNE 28, 2017
Orthodontics refers to the special branch of dentistry that works to correct the teeth and jaws on individuals where they’re improperly positioned. Crooked teeth are not only incorrectly aligned and therefore more difficult to keep clean, but are also at a greater risk for being lost prematurely due to periodontal disease and tooth decay. Crooked teeth can also put undue stress on a person’s chewing muscles, which can lead to chronic headaches as well as TMJ syndrome and back, shoulder, and neck pain. For many people, their misaligned teeth can be visually unattractive as well.

The key benefits of receiving professional orthodontic treatment include a better appearance, teeth that will probably last a lifetime, and a much healthier mouth overall.

FAQ

Who Needs Orthodontic Treatment?

Only an orthodontist specialist can determine whether or not you require orthodontic treatment. Based on a full spectrum of diagnostic tools that involve both dental and medical history, plaster models of the teeth, a clinical exam, and X-rays and special photographs, will determine if orthodontics are right for you.

You may be a likely candidate for orthodontics if any of the following apply to you:

Overbite:
Often referred to as buck teeth, whereby the upper front teeth noticeably stick out over the lower teeth
Crossbite:
When biting together in a normal manner, the upper teeth don’t come down properly in front of the lower teeth
Underbite:
Has the appearance of a ‘bulldog’ where the upper teeth are too far back and the lower teeth jut out too far
Open Bite:
Significant amount of space between each biting surface of the side and/or front teeth when the teeth in the back bite together
Crowding:
Too many teeth for the person’s dental ridge to properly accommodate them all
Spacing:
Spaces, or gaps, between the teeth due to teeth that don’t quite fill up the person’s mouth or because of actual missing teeth
Misplaced Midline:
When the upper front teeth’s center doesn’t line up with the lower front teeth’s center

 

How Orthodontics Work

Several different kinds of dental appliances, both removable and fixed, are utilized in order to help shift teeth, impact how the jaw develops, and retrain key muscles overall. These special appliances effectively work by gently placing pressure on both the teeth and jaws of the patient. The specific orthodontic approach that will likely have the most impact is primarily based on the severity of the problem.

Some fixed dental appliances include the following:

Traditional Braces

Braces are comprised of numerous bands, brackets, and wires and are the most common dental appliance. The bands are placed around the patient’s teeth and used as an anchor for the specific appliance, as brackets are commonly bonded to the front of the teeth. Arch wires are then passed through the brackets and subsequently attached to the dental bands. When the arch wire is tightened, it puts considerable tension on the patient’s teeth and gradually shifts them into their correct position, which can be accomplished within just a few short months or as long as a couple of years. Today’s dental braces are much lighter, smaller, and reveal far less metal. They’re also available in many bright, fun colors for younger children in addition to clearer styles that most adults prefer.

Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign treatment is an alternative approach to traditional adult braces. Innovative serial aligners are used today by more and more orthodontists in order to effectively shift teeth much the same way that fixed dental appliances work, except without the need for metal brackets and wires. Virtually invisible, aligners are easily removed to brush and floss teeth, and to eat. Custom aligners are changed approximately every few weeks and over time, the teeth are gradually moved into the correct position.

If you think you may be in need of orthodontic treatment and want to make your smile as healthy as possible, contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today to schedule your initial consultation.

Fix Your Smile Today

Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today to set up your consultation. There’s no reason to put off a visit to our helpful team of professionals. It is our goal to help you make the most of your smile.

Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Dr. Bill Schmohl

When your teeth are aligned properly and your jaw is flowing smoothly, you will find more reasons to flash those pearly whites every day. Let Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics be your partner in good oral hygiene.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics 900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 200, Larkspur, California 94939 415-459-8006

Have​ ​you​ ​made​ ​someone​ ​smile​ ​today?​ ​-​ ​Debasish​ ​Mridha 1

Have​ ​you​ ​made​ ​someone​ ​smile​ ​today?​ ​-​ ​Debasish​ ​Mridha

get a great smileHave​ ​you​ ​made​ ​someone​ ​smile​ ​today?​ ​-​ ​Debasish​ ​Mridha

Improve Your Smile By Fixing Your Teeth

Dr. Debasish Mridha is an author who wants to know if you have made someone smile today. If you don’t like to smile because your teeth are misaligned, then it is time to visit an orthodontist for a consultation. You might have only a small malocclusion of one tooth that is easy to fix with Invisalign aligners that are worn for one year or less. Alternatively, you may have major orthodontic problems, including crowding or an overbite. When you have serious malocclusions, you will need to wear braces for two to four years to shift your teeth into the correct positions.

You Can Smile While Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment

When you wear aligners, no one will notice the devices while you smile at them. Aligners are made of clear plastic so that other people can see your natural teeth. You are required to wear aligners for the majority of the day and night, but you can remove the devices to brush your teeth. However, if you are wearing metal brackets and wires, then other individuals can see the items easily. To prevent others from seeing your wires and brackets, you can choose lingual devices or ceramic color-matching brackets.

Call Our Orthodontic Facility Today

At Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics in Larkspur, Calif., you can request an appointment with an orthodontist. We have three experts working in our orthodontic facility, including:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

We offer an assortment of orthodontic treatment options for children, teenagers or adults, including:

• Invisalign aligners – clear plastic devices that you can remove from your mouth
• Braces – colorful, ceramic or clear brackets and wires
• WildSmiles brackets – brackets in unique shapes such as stars and hearts
• Retainers – provided after your brackets and wires are removed

To schedule your first orthodontic appointment, contact us today at 415-459-8006.

Why should I feel confident about Invisalign? 2

Why should I feel confident about Invisalign?

Invisalign

LAST UPDATED: APRIL 25, 2017

In the course of exploring all the different options, there are for straightening your or your children’s teeth, you’ve most likely heard about Invisalign. This revolutionary system is a great alternative to traditional wire braces.
The use of wire hardware to straighten teeth is notorious for its discomfort and impracticality. Not only that, but it also carries the possibility of other, more serious problems, such as plaque build-up, tooth/bracket breakage or even tooth loss, due to decay from not being able to clean your teeth properly under the wire obstruction.

FAQ

Is Invisalign Customized Just For You?

The Invisalign system is just as effective at straightening teeth, yet is much more comfortable, practical and stylish than its old-fashioned counterpart. This makes it a great choice for adults and teenagers alike.  If you have not yet experienced the benefits of this system for yourself, you may be asking: why should I be confident that it will be the best thing for me or my teen? There are many ways in which this modern system of teeth-straightening surpasses the traditional wire model. In terms of comfort, reliability and practicality, this system is unmatched.  This modern approach this system takes to teeth-straightening uses a set of plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit your specific teeth. People all over the world are talking about this.

How Does Invisalign Work?

  • At your initial appointment, your orthodontist will take a 3-D digital scan of your teeth with a laser scanner—far more convenient and appealing than having to take multiple impressions!
  • Based on these images, he/she will create a precise treatment plan just for you, using such personalized information as the exact movements of your teeth, the approximate length of the treatment you will need, and how your teeth are expected to react to each stage of the treatment.
  • A set of aligners is then created just for you based on this individualized treatment plan.

Since your aligners are customized just for you, you can be confident that you will get the exact treatment your individual mouth requires.

What about its design?

Another way in which this alternative system of teeth-straightening has an advantage over its wire predecessor is that its plastic aligners are much easier to wear, due to their comfort and practicality.

Is Invisalign comfortable?

Unlike traditional braces, these aligners are made out of a smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that is comfortable to wear for hours on end. This non-offending, long-wearing plastic won’t irritate your teeth and gums or cause sores the way wire can.

Is Invisalign Practical?

These personalized plastic aligners are removable and should be replaced every two weeks. The aligners also can and should be removed whenever you eat or brush and floss your teeth. This renders these tasks so much easier to do than they would have been in the past with the old-fashioned method of teeth-straightening. Having removable aligners also means that your food won’t stick to any hardware in your mouth. Even though your teeth are in the process of being straightened, you are not restricted in terms of what you can eat. You don’t ever have to worry about getting roughly textured food such as popcorn, apples, corn on the cob or pizza crust stuck in your teeth!

 

 

Does Invisalign Save Time?

Old-fashioned wire hardware often requires you to go to your doctor once a week for tightening. With this new system, those weekly visits are a thing of the past. Besides replacing your custom plastic aligners every two weeks, you only need to go in for a check-up with your orthodontist every four to six weeks to make sure everything’s going all right.

Is Invisalign Great For Teens?

This teeth-straightening system is particularly helpful for and popular with teens for all the above reasons and more. One additional boon for teenagers using this system: the company offers 6 free additional aligners to teens in the case of their originals getting lost or broken. This saves money and also helps puts parents’ minds at ease about anything happening to their child’s aligners. The aligners do not interfere with any extracurricular activities such as sports or playing an instrument. In the past, teens who were straightening their teeth would have to worry about getting their lip cut by a flying volleyball or the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. With this system, teenagers don’t have to put any restrictions on which activities they want to do.

Studies have shown that teenagers are twice as likely to feel more self-confident about their appearance when they are using the clear plastic aligners, versus the traditional wire system. The same certainly holds true for adults. Some adults who need help straightening their teeth later in life may feel self-conscious about it, but this system’s clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible in your mouth, meaning nobody needs to know you’re straightening your teeth other than you.

What are the Health Benefits?

Many people don’t realize that having good oral hygiene is integral to the health of the rest of the body. Taking good care of your teeth is one of the most important ways you take care of yourself. This system is healthier than the traditional one in several ways:

  • Since with the removable aligners you can brush and floss your teeth with no obstruction, this results in much better periodontal health.
  • Having straight and healthy teeth leads to better overall health: you have less of a chance of developing heart disease, pneumonia, and diabetes, among other conditions.

For all these reasons, you know you can be confident in choosing Invisalign for yourself or your teen The professionals at Gordon and Schmohl Orthodontics have years’ worth of experience in using this system with their patients. Drs. Gordon and Schmohl have been providing this service to patients since 1999, and their office has been consistently rated as one of their Elite Preferred Providers every year since. Call Gordon and Schmohl Orthodontics for your initial screening today.

Fix Your Smile Today

Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today to set up your consultation. There’s no reason to put off a visit to our helpful team of professionals. It is our goal to help you make the most of your smile.

Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Dr. Bill Schmohl

When your teeth are aligned properly and your jaw is flowing smoothly, you will find more reasons to flash those pearly whites every day. Let Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics be your partner in good oral hygiene.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics 900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 200, Larkspur, California 94939 415-459-8006

emily wow smile patient

What Are the Discomforts with Invisalign? (Epic Facts)

Invisalign is an orthodontic set of teeth aligners that exert pressure on the teeth making the teeth to move into a different position. Many people who opt for Invisalign over braces report both positive and negative effects. While teeth aligners are viewed by many people as better treatment options for people with various teeth conditions, patients often experience certain discomforts when they use this form of treatment. Many people over the world are all about this.

Read more

A Smile Is a Universal Welcome! 3

A Smile Is a Universal Welcome!

smileA Smile Is a Universal Welcome!

Give Everyone a Welcoming Smile

If you are visiting a foreign country, then remember that a smile is the universal language. By offering someone a happy smile, you are opening the door to a new friendship. A beautiful smile is designed to welcome others, but when you have crooked teeth, it is time to visit an orthodontist for treatment. The best time to undergo orthodontic treatment is when you are a child because your facial bones are soft, helping your teeth to shift quickly into the right positions. However, many adults are visiting an orthodontic facility for their first evaluation because they also want to have a welcoming smile.

Aligners Can Give You a Better Smile

You might have only minor malocclusions that are repairable with clear plastic aligners. Invisalign aligners are suitable for teenagers or adults, and the devices are easy to wear. You will receive several sets of aligners that are made to move your teeth slowly into a better position in your mouth to correct your bite while giving you a gorgeous smile. An orthodontist will require you to wear aligners for most of the day and night, but you can remove the devices while you are eating meals or brushing your teeth. After two weeks, you will throw away the current set of aligners before changing to a new set in the series.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics Offers Customized Braces

At Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics in Larkspur, Calif., we welcome our patients with a smile. You can schedule an appointment with one of these orthodontists:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

We offer a variety of orthodontic treatments that include:

• Damon System braces – self-ligating orthodontic devices
• Retainers – to keep teeth in position
• Head gear – for major malocclusions
• Invisalign aligners – for teenagers and adults

To schedule an orthodontic evaluation, call us today at 415-459-8006.

“I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.” ― Santosh Kalwar 4

“I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.” ― Santosh Kalwar

smiling

Repair Your Teeth at any Age

Santosh Kalwar is a poet who believes that life is too short for crying, and he chooses to smile each day instead. However, if you have badly misaligned teeth, then you are probably too embarrassed to smile. Today, it is easy to visit an orthodontist at any age to learn more about orthodontic treatments that can improve the positions of your teeth. Parents should bring their child to an orthodontic facility when their adult teeth begin to erupt from the gums, but teenagers can also seek treatment because most of their adult teeth are visible. Adults can also undergo orthodontic treatment to repair their bite and improve their smile.

Choose Invisalign Treatment

Having severe malocclusions of your teeth can lead to pain that makes you want to cry, but by wearing braces, you can shift the teeth to avoid headaches and jaw joint pain. You don’t need to cope with metal wires and brackets on the front of your teeth because an orthodontist can place lingual or ceramic devices on your teeth instead. If you have mild to moderate misalignments of your teeth, then request removable aligners that are made of clear plastic. With aligners, you can smile as much as you want, and no one will notice that the devices are on your teeth.

Call Us to Schedule an Appointment

In Larkspur, Calif., you can schedule an appointment with Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics with one of our expert orthodontists, including:

• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

At our orthodontic facility, we believe in using the Wow Smile and Acceledent systems that create an individualized smile as quickly as possible. These systems work with the orthodontic treatments that we offer, including:

• Invisalign aligners
• Damon Clear
• Braces with colors
• Retainers

To schedule your first orthodontic appointment with our team, call 415-459-8006.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

“I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.” ― Santosh Kalwar

A Kind Heart is a Foundation of Gladness, Making Everything in it's Vicinity Freshen Into Smiles 5

A Kind Heart is a Foundation of Gladness, Making Everything in it’s Vicinity Freshen Into Smiles

smile

A Kind Heart is a Foundation of Gladness, Making Everything in it’s Vicinity Freshen Into Smiles

Smiling is a common gesture that lets other people know that you’re in a good mood, but what happens if you’re too self-conscious to do so? Being able to smile can help you feel happier overall. When you don’t smile, it can affect your mood and give other people the wrong impression about you.

Why Do You Avoid Smiling?

People who are shy might not smile due to embarrassment. They might not want to draw attention to themselves or have other people approach them. You don’t necessarily have to be shy to avoid smiling. Some people do so because they don’t want others to see that they have crooked teeth. These people might only smile slightly without showing teeth. They might avoid smiling altogether, which can make them feel unhappy. If you refuse to smile due to crooked teeth, our orthodontist can fix that with braces of Invisalign.

How Can You Smile Comfortably?

When crooked teeth are the reason for not smiling, having them straightened can ease your self-consciousness and boost your mood. You’ll be able to smile more and do so with confidence. Wearing Invisalign or braces helps make your teeth straighter, which allows you to flash a big smile to others. If you’re worried about how you’ll look while having your teeth straightened, keep in mind that modern orthodontic treatments are designed to look as natural as possible. This means that other people won’t be staring at your teeth while you’re wearing an orthodontic device. Once your teeth are fixed, you’ll have the added benefits of having an easier time cleaning them regularly and not having problems biting down. These treatments help improve your quality of life overall.

Schedule an Orthodontic Examination in Larkspur Today

In Marin County, Calif., you can visit Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to have an examination and treatment from these professionals:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

An orthodontist will discuss orthodontic options with you to repair problems such as crowded teeth, crossbites or overbites. Depending on your malocclusions, you can wear one of these devices:

• Retainers
• Invisalign
• WildSmiles
• Braces with colors
• Traditional or Damon Clear

We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointment by calling 415-459-8006 today.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

A Kind Heart is a Foundation of Gladness, Making Everything in it’s Vicinity Freshen Into Smiles

Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened 6

Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened

smiles

We smile when recalling pleasant memories associated with good feelings. Birthdays, graduations, marriages, and anniversaries are just of the more popular events that bring smiles to every face. Watching a child grow up, graduate from college, get married, and celebrate wedding anniversaries are all good reasons to smile.

Celebrations and other events are the perfect occasions to share happiness with others. Getting together with family and friends, often while dressed in our finest, helps us to look and feel our best. A beautiful smile can be captured in photos and memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re concerned that your smile could be better, contact an orthodontist for a complete evaluation of your dental structures. The teeth, gums, and other soft tissues will be examined and x-rayed to determine an effective treatment plan for improving your smile.

Invisalign

Invisalign treatment may be recommended. Braces are the most common treatment for aligning teeth and making the mouth healthier by preventing bacteria buildup in gum pockets or in hard-to-reach places between tilted teeth. Bacteria leads to decay, which then becomes cavities that can lead to tooth damage and loss. A qualified orthodontist can prescribe an Invisalign treatment plan using braces that will be hardly noticeable and work quickly to move your teeth into proper position.

Get Started

Make your smile even more beautiful by consulting Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics for detailed information on how they can help. After a thorough examination, a treatment plan will be discussed to give you ideas on how your dental structures can be improved for better dental health and a prettier smile. They can answer questions to help you make an informed decision about getting your most memorable smile yet.

Summer Toothbrush Contest

Beyond Differences

beyond differences

An Orthodontist Who Cares about Preventing Social Isolation

Social isolation often begins in middle school and continues in high school because adolescents are prone to developing cliques that exclude others. While teachers may combat this behavior in classrooms with group activities that require cooperative teamwork, students still exclude others in locations such as the school cafeteria or activities after school. Beyond Differences located in San Francisco is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to educating the public about the detrimental effects of social isolation and offer ways to stop the behavior during the sensitive adolescent years. Anyone can donate to Beyond Differences, and the organization already has an important sponsor located in Larkspur, Calif. Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics has two orthodontists who want to promote including others in all activities to create a feeling of camaraderie.

Beyond Differences Focuses on Stopping Social Isolation

Beyond Differences has three ways to prevent social isolation in middle and high school environments, including:

• No One Eats Alone – designed to encourage socializing during lunch
• Be Kind Online – discouraging unkind behavior online
• Be the One – a pledge and commitment to not exclude others

Beyond Difference dispenses its important message with an online website, videos and publications that are suitable for teachers, students and parents who want to implement and follow the suggestions made by the organization. Anyone interested in preventing social isolation in schools can request curriculum designed for teaching lessons or newsletters for parents and the general public. All lessons begin by helping people understand what social isolation is and how it affects anyone who is perceived as different from others. Some of the issues covered concern including classmates who have mental or physical challenges.

The orthodontists working at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics are happy to sponsor Beyond Differences because many of their patients are teenagers struggling with social isolation. The adolescent patients visiting this orthodontic facility frequently need to wear headgear, retainers or braces to correct abnormalities of their facial or mouth’s structure. Conditions such as cleft lip or palate can cause deformities of the mouth that require many years of orthodontic treatment in order to repair the positions of teeth so that an individual can speak properly, chew food and have a beautiful smile. In many cases, an individual undergoing orthodontic treatment is ostracized by their peers because they look different.