Cramer and Noorani Orthodontics

Understanding Smiles and Faces

2011-08-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Expressions communicate our emotions and are read by others around us to assess our mood or reaction. Even when we purposefully mask our true feelings we can be betrayed by involuntary subliminal facial signals which indicate the opposite of what we intend others to think. Some people, usually extrovert types, are more expressive and show more animation in their faces. Research has shown that some facial expressions can be learnt or faked - comedians and actors utilize their expressive talents to mimic various human emotional conditions and we as the audience are 'face readers.'
Once our teeth are revealed in a smile, we are communicating positively and powerfully. It can feel like baring of the soul. Not surprisingly, we feel more comfortable if the teeth are straight, white and healthy. Research has suggested that there are around eighteen 'varieties of smiles' and the best ones involve an element of tooth show. We hope this blog and future blogs gives you the information you need to understand your teeth, your smile, your mouth and to understand the role of dental professionals and the difference that orthodontics can make to you and the way you live your life.

Prevent Accidents, But Know What To Do If One Occurs

2011-05-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Mouth guards are one of the least expensive pieces of protective gear available. They can help prevent or minimize tooth and jaw injuries. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends mouth guards be worn any time the teeth could come into contact with a ball, a hard object, another player or the pavement. The recommendation applies to organized sports as well as leisure activities like bicycling.

If a mouth guard is not worn and an injury occurs, follow these first aid tips.

Broken Tooth

-Clean the injured area and put an ice pack on the lip or gum.
-Cover any exposed area with sterile gauze.
-Save the tip of the tooth (for possible reattachment) and call your family or pediatric dentist right away.
-Store the tooth fragment in water.

Loosened Tooth

an accident can cause a tooth to come loose from the socket. a tooth can be:
Pushed into the socket (intruded)
Knocked part way out of the socket (extruded)
Pushed sideways, but still in the socket (luxated)

-Apply an ice pack to the injury.
-You may attempt to gently push an extruded tooth back into the socket.
-Call your family or pediatric dentist for immediate attention. Early stabilization is the best chance for the tooth to reattach itself.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth Time is Critical

A tooth might be saved if cared for properly and reimplanted as soon as possible.
Timely treatment may improve the chances of reattaching an injured tooth.

-Call your family or pediatric dentist for immediate attention.
-Locate the tooth; hold it by the crown (the wide part, not the pointed end/root).
-Remove large pieces of debris but avoid rubbing or touching the root.
-Rinse the tooth. Do not scrub. If using a sink, be sure to put the plug in the sink so that the tooth will not go down the drain if it is dropped.
-Attempt to gently put the clean tooth back in its socket. Cover with gauze or tissue and bite down to stabilize it, if possible, or hold the tooth in its
socket until seen by the dentist.
-If the tooth cannot be put back into its socket, store the tooth in liquid until you see the dentist. Put the tooth in milk or sterile saline solution (contact lens solution with no preservatives). Do not soak or store the tooth in water because water will kill the cells on the root that are vital for successful reimplantation. If milk or saline solution are unavailable, the tooth can be stored in the cheek where saliva will help provide vitality to the root surface. If stored in the cheek, be careful not to swallow the tooth.
-Do not let the tooth dry out.

Jaw Injury

If teeth appear to fit together properly when the mouth is closed:

-Apply ice to control swelling.
-Restrict diet to soft foods and if no improvement occurs within 24 hours, seek dental care to rule out subtle injuries.
-If in doubt at any time, contact your dentist or seek medical attention.

If teeth do not fit together properly when the mouth is closed:

-Seek emergency medical attention.

2011-02-25T07:57:00.000-08:00

Our latest Facebook Contest:
Win two Katy Perry tickets for her concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 15th at 8:00pm. These are PIT floor tickets, standing room only in front of the stage!

How the contest works:
1) "like" our Facebook page and post your name on the wall.

2) Tell your friends, family, colleagues, teachers, Facebook friends, email contacts . . . everyone! to "like" our page and post YOUR name on the wall.

3) Our patients can write a review on Google for an extra two entries. Search Cramer and Noorani Orthodontics. Click on reviews and submit your review. Send an e-mail to ortho@greatsmileforyou.com with your name so we can count your entries.

4) The person with the most entries will win the tickets!

Remember anyone that posts your name on the wall must "like" our Facebook page to count...
On June 8th at 5:00pm we will choose the winner...Have Fun!

Facebook Contest Cramer & Noorani Orthodontics

2009-09-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

Facebook Contest

Our newest contest involves our facebook page.

Please visit Cramer & Noorani facebook page and become a "fan" of our practice. You can share a photo or write something about your visit to our office.

Please ask your friends to become a "fan" of our practice and mention your name on our wall.

A winner will be drawn from the "fans" on December 11th and will win a $50 gift certificate to Best Buy! The more of your friends become a "fan" of our practice and mention your name the higher the chances that you will win the contest.

Strong Online Presence

2009-09-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Cramer & Noorani Orthodontics has been committed to having a strong online presence with a wealth of information for current and prospective patients. From an information packed website, to youtube video, and pictures online, to myspace and facebook, various information can be found about our practice, braces, orthodontics and invisalign in Baltimore Metro area.

www.greatsmileforyou.com

Soothing Desert Recipes for People with Braces

2009-09-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

Soothing Desert Recipes for People with Braces

Braces Friendly Banana Cream Cake
1 ½ cups granulated sugar 1 stick butter, softened 2 eggs ¾ cup sour cream 2 cups flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 2 tsp vanilla extract ¾ cup milk 2 cups bananas, thinly sliced

Grease a 9" x 12" x 2" baking pan and lightly dust with flour. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs on at a time. Beat in the sour cream. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing well. Beat in the vanilla, milk and bananas. Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Top with whip cream or drizzle with a chocolate topping of your choice.

Crossbite Carrot Cake
2 cups granulated sugar 2 sticks butter, softened 4 eggs 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger 2 tsp salt 1 can crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, well drained 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups carrots, very finely grated.

Grease and lightly dust a 9"x12"x2" baking pan with flour. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt, mixing well. Beat in the pineapple, vanilla extract, and carrots. Pour into the baking pan and bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Allow to cool completely frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1 stick butter, softened 2 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)

In large bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter, beating until smooth. Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla. Gradually beat in the

Soothing Dinner Recipes for People with Braces

2009-09-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

Soothing Dinner Recipes for People with Braces

Painless Pasta with Roasted Red Sweet Pepper Cream Sauce
2-8 oz containers soft style cream cheese 1 cup half and half 2 green onions, very thinly sliced 3 tbsp onion, very finely chopped ½ tsp basil ½ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp pepper ¼ tsp salt 2-7 oz jars roasted red sweet peppers, drained and finely chopped 12 oz angel hair pasta, cooked ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated

In a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, melt the cream cheese, stirring often. Add the half and half. Stir in the green onions, onion, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and the red peppers. Continue to stir until the sauce is creamy and smooth and heated through. Pour over pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.

Serves 4-6.

Special Smiley Mashed Potatoes
1 package (22 oz) frozen mashed potatoes 1 tbsp butter or margerine 2 ½ cups milk ½ pound ground beef, cooked, finely crumbled, and drained 1 package taco seasoning mix 1 tbsp sun dried tomatoes or ¼ cup finely diced fresh tomatoes with skins removed 2 oz diced black olives ½ cup sour cream ½ cup grated cheddar cheese

In large microwaveable bowl, combine the potatoes, butter and milk. Microwave on high for 8 minutes. Remove bowl from microwave oven and stir the mixture well. Stir in the last 6 ingredients, return bowl to the microwave and cook 7 minutes on high. Stir well with fork to fluff.

Metal Mouth Meatballs
1 lb ground beef ½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs ¼ cup milk ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp salt ½ tsp pepper ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp minced onion 1 tbsp very finely chopped green pepper 1 egg, beaten ¼ tsp dried oregano

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly with hands. Form or roll into 24 equal sized balls. Place in a well-greased 9"x13"x2" casserole dish and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Service with a smooth spaghetti sauce over soft dante angel hair pasta.

Bucky Beef Enchiladas
1 lb ground beef 1 medium onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 10 flour tortillas, cut into small bite-size pieces 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated 1 can (4 oz) green chilies, chopped 1 can (4.5 oz) black olives, chopped 1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of chicken soup 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies ½ cup water

In a skillet, cook the ground beef, onion and garlic. Drain and run through a food processor or blender. In a greased 9"x13"x2" casserole dish, layer ½ the mixture, tortillas, cheese, green chilies, and black olives. Repeat. In a medium sized bowl, combine the soup, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and water. Mix thoroughly and pour over the top of the layered ingredients. In a preheated oven, bake covered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serves 6-8.

Wired White Pizza
1 tube (10 oz) Refrigerated pizza dough 1 container (10 oz) refrigerated alfredo sauce ½ cup onions, finely chopped 7-8 slices bacon, crisply fried and finely crumbled 1 jar (2.5 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained 1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped 7 oz hickory smoked gouda cheese, grated

Using a pizza baking sheet, follow the manufacturer's directions for handling and shaping the dough. Pre-bake the dough prior to the layering of the ingredients for 5-6 minutes at 425 degrees or until lightly golden brown. Evenly spread the alfredo sauce over the pre-baked dough and layer the remaining ingredients in the order given. Transfer the pizza to a preheated oven and bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Chew-less Chili Chicken
2 cups cooked chicken breast, finely chopped 1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of chicken soup ¾ cup chicken broth 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies 1 jar (2 oz) diced pimentos 8 flour tortillas, 7" diameter, cut into small pieces 2 ½ cups cheddar cheese

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Reserve 1 cup of the cheese for sprinkling on top. Pour into a greased 9"x 12" x2" casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serves 4-6.

Soothing Appetizer Recipes for People with Braces

2009-09-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Soothing Appetizer Recipes for People with Braces

Easy on Your Teeth Deviled Eggs
6 hard boiled eggs 2 tbsp butter, melted 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tbsp prepared mustard 1/8 tsp dill weed dash Worcestershire sauce dash hot sauce ¼ cup mayonnaise 1/8 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper paprika

Peel the eggs after they have cooled and cut into halves lengthwise. Carefully remove the yolk, place in a small bowl, and mash with fork. Add the remaining ingredients except the paprika. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Refill the egg halves with this mixture and sprinkle with paprika.

Soothing Santa Fe Chicken Chowder
2 tbsp butter 1 med onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup chicken broth 1 tsp ground cumin ¼ tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp coriander ½ tsp salt 2 cups very finely chopped chicken breast 1 pint half & half 1 can (15 oz) creamed sweet corn 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies 1 ½ cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese

In a dutch oven over medium high heat, melt the butter and saute the onion and garlic. Add the chicken broth, cumin, cayenne, coriander, salt and chicken. Stir, and over high heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes. Add the half and half, corn, tomatoes, and green chilies. Stir and increase the heat to medium. Gradually stir in the cheese until melted.
Serves 4-6.

Invisalign

2009-09-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Invisalign

Invisalign is the clear way to straighten teeth with mild malalignment without braces, using aligners. Aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing; and you can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth; and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions. More complex problems and significant bite improvements still require traditional braces.

Many of our patients had never considered traditional braces but are now happily and comfortably improving their smiles with Invisalign.

WHAT IS INVISALIGN?

Invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
Series of clear, removable, custom-made Aligners.
Uses no metal wires or brackets.
Custom-made for comfort.

HOW DOES INVISALIGN WORK?

Wear each set of Aligners for about two weeks.
Remove only to eat, drink, brush and floss.
Your teeth will move gradually each week.
Visit us every 6 - 8 weeks.
Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.
Average number of Aligners is between 18 and 30.

Considering Orthodontic Treatment?

2009-09-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Considering Orthodontic Treatment?

Here are some things to think about.

More than 5 million people in the United States and Canada are in the care of an orthodontist and looking forward to a beautiful, healthy smile that's good for life. The obvious potential reward is straighter teeth that are less prone to decay and injury. But just as important is the boost to self-confidence that a better smile can provide.

Why is orthodontics important?

Orthodontics can boost a person's self-image as the teeth, jaws and lips become properly aligned, but an attractive smile is just one of the benefits. Alleviating or preventing physical health problems is just as important.
Without treatment, orthodontic problems may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction and chewing and digestive difficulties. A "bad bite" can contribute to speech impairments, tooth loss, chipped teeth and other dental injuries.

When should my child first see an orthodontist?

The AAO recommends that every child should get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.
Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected early rather than waiting until jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may help a patient avoid surgery or other serious corrections later in life.

Is it ever too late for a person to get braces?

No. Because healthy teeth can be moved at any age, an orthodontist can improve the smile of practically anyone-in fact, orthodontists regularly treat patients in their 50s, 60s and older!

Orthodontic Emergency Care

2009-09-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

Orthodontic Emergency Care

If a brace comes loose, call the office as soon as possible for advice. Sometimes it is important to re-attach the brace right away.

If you have a problem on the weekend or at night and need to cut a wire or slide a bracket off the wire, please feel free to do so and call the office on the next working day. Fingernail clippers are a useful home remedy for cutting wires. Please wash and alcohol the clippers before using them.We will evaluate the problem to determine if it is necessary for you to be seen immediately.

If a wire on your braces is causing an irritation, try pushing it away from the area being irritated by using the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end with a small piece of wax or cotton ball. You may also cut the wire with scissors or nail clippers. Call the office for an appointment if you cannot solve the problem.

Most orthodontic patients experience some pain the first week after their braces are placed and after routine adjustments. You can use non-aspirin pain relievers or ibuprofen to ease this discomfort and eat soft foods.

Michael Noorani

http://www.greatsmileforyou.com/

FACIAL & DENTAL INJURY PREVENTION

2009-09-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

FACIAL & DENTAL INJURY PREVENTION in ORTHODONTICS

Each year, thousands of children who play in organized and neighborhood sports end up in the emergency room because of knocked-out teeth, broken jaws, or other facial injuries. Their injuries could have been far less severe or even eliminated if they had worn a mouth guard or a helmet.

When kids don’t wear mouth guards for most sports, it’s usually because there is so little awareness of their importance among parents and coaches.

Although mouth guards are now generally considered standard equipment for football and hockey players, they really should be worn during any contact sport. And by contact sport, we don’t just mean the kind of sport where one player knocks into another, but any sport in which player is likely to have his or her face come into contact with the pavement or other hard objects.

The AAO recommends that kids who participate in soccer, extreme sports (BMX biking, skateboarding and in-line skating) and other common sports should wear a mouth guard or other equipment to protect them from facial injury.

Our office gives all of our patients who play sports, a special orthodontic mouth guard, to wear during their orthodontic treatment.

Michael Noorani
www.greatsmileforyou.com

Orthodontics and Straight Teeth

2009-09-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Orthodontics and Straight Teeth

According to The Journal of the American Dental Association, 2/3 to 3/4 of American adults (between 137 and 154 million) have some sort of malocclusion (crooked teeth) and could benefit from orthodontic treatment.

According to Align Technology’s research of 18,000 consumers, 50% of adults ages 25 to 49 (or 50 million) wish their teeth were straighter.

According to the AAO, more than 5 million people in the U.S. and Canada are currently in orthodontic treatment. One million of them are 18 years of age or older.

A survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that:
• More than 92% of adults agree that an attractive smile is an important social asset.
• Nearly 88% say they always remember someone with an especially attractive smile.
• 85% agree that an unattractive smile makes a person less appealing to people of the opposite sex.
• 74% agree than an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.
• Only 50% of people surveyed are satisfied with their own smiles.

Studies of adult orthodontic patients show that nearly 50% of participants didn’t seek treatment sooner due to embarrassment about how braces would look (Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology).

Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.

Cramer & Noorani Orthodontics
www.greatsmileforyou.com

Cramer & Noorani Orthodontic Vision

2009-09-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Our Orthodontic Vision…

The Purpose of our team:

Provide the highest quality of care for improving the function of teeth and appearance of our patients.

The Values of our team:

1)Honesty
We demand the highest ethical standards of ourselves and others.

2)Respect
We recognize that people are the cornerstone of our success. We are proud of our history of treating people with respect and dignity.

3)Quality Care
We are deeply committed to provide to our patients a beautiful and functional smile.

4)Teamwork
We know that to be successful, the staff, patients, parents, and doctor must work together.

5)Timeliness
We strive to see all our patients on time.

6)Appreciation
We value your choice of our practice for your orthodontic care. The greatest form of thanks is your referral of family and friends to us.

7)Friendliness
Our goal is to make every visit a pleasant one.

8)Profitability
We like to grow and stay profitable.

The Future of our team:

Stay current with new technology. Play an active role in making the local community in which we operate a better place to live and work. The ongoing vitality of our community has direct impact on the long-term health of our business.