Bringing the ‘Best’ to Orthodontic Patients

August 2nd, 2016

Dr. Alexandra Best, an award-winning Orthodontist who graduated #1 in her dental school class, has joined the staff of ARCH Orthodontics. She is focusing on patients at the practice’s Hyde Park (Mass.) office, and on occasion,  also sees patients at some of ARCH’s other eight locations.

The announcement was made by Dr. Andrew Chase who said, “Dr. Best shares our practice’s philosophy and passion – to help people from 4 to 84 to improve their health and the appearance of their smiles, enjoying the challenges and the excitement of giving patients a new look and a new outlook. Dr. Best is extremely insightful and caring.  Patients will benefit immensely from her knowledge and compassionate care.”

Dr. Best earned her D.M.D. at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and her M.S.D. (Master of Science in Dentistry) and Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her B.A. at Princeton University. Dr. Best was a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society in dental school, and was a Phi Beta Kappa Scholar at Princeton.  While in dental school, she was Vice President of the American Student Dental Association.

Dr. Best comes from a family of Dentists and Orthodontists. Her uncle is an Orthodontist, an aunt is a dental hygienist, and two uncles are Dentists, all of whom, she says, “have been extremely encouraging and influential in my path to a dental career.”

“I first decided I wanted to be an Orthodontist when I was about 8,” she recalls. “My front teeth were embarrassingly crooked, and so I was teased at school. My uncle, an Orthodontist, put me in braces to align my top four front teeth, and that made all the difference. I was able to chew food more easily, and I couldn’t stop smiling. A few years later, I got my second, complete round of braces, and again, I was so proud of my smile when I finished treatment. I am incredibly grateful for the positive changes that Orthodontics made in my life, and so I have wanted for a long time to bring these same improvements to others.”

“I chose ARCH because the staff cares so much about their patients,” says Dr. Best. “I wanted to be in an environment where people enjoy what they’re doing, and where patients are happy to go. I can make a huge difference in a child’s life because straight teeth give a huge confidence boost. And with adults, redesigning smiles makes them appear more youthful and self-assured which helps in their social and work life.”

“ARCH chose Dr. Best because she shares our ‘SPIRE’ core values – Support, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect and Excellence — and shares our passion for Orthodontics,” Dr. Chase says. “She’s a positive, energetic person, excited to help our patients.”

ARCH, the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts, offers free initial consultations (a $500 value) and no-interest financing.  The practice also offers courtesy discounts to families of military personnel, veterans and municipal employees in the towns where they have offices.  To schedule a no-obligation appointment, call 1-800-28- SMILE, email: smilemaker@archorthodontics.com or visit  www.archorthodontics.com. ARCH Orthodontics offices are in Bridgewater • Brockton • Canton • Hyannis • Hyde Park • Orleans  •  Randolph • Stoughton • Westwood.

Orthodontist Announces Campaign Poster Contest

June 20th, 2016

In light of the Presidential election campaign now underway, we’re having our own campaign to add even more fun and excitement.

ARCH Orthodontics is sponsoring a poster contest in which patients are asked to design their own election-themed poster using the slogan ‘Vote for My Great Smile!’ The contest is open to ARCH patients of any age from 4 to 84.

According to Dr. Andrew Chase, “The winning contest poster entry will focus on the many reasons to smile every day and the importance of healthy teeth and a great smile.”

Dr. Chase, President of the Massachusetts Orthodontic Association, estimates that since its founding 42 years ago, ARCH has helped to improve the smiles of 20,000 patients, ranging in age from 4 to 84. The practice was founded by his father, Dr. Robert Chavez and has grown to 9 offices from Boston to Cape Cod.

The poster contest prize is a Nintendo Game Boy and the deadline is October 7, one month before the 2016 national election.

ARCH Orthodontics, the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts, offers no-interest financing and free consultation (a $500 value). The practice has local convenient offices south of  Boston and on Cape Cod. To schedule an appointment,  call 1-800-28- SMILE, email smilemaker@archorthodontics.com , or visit www.archorthodontics.com.

Surveys Show Value and Importance of Smiles and Great Teeth

June 10th, 2016

There’s an old saying that “A good smile warms hearts and opens doors.”

Dr. Andrew Chase of ARCH Orthodontics points to a Harris survey of 1,000 British adults ages 18 – 50, and the findings are interesting:

• The smile is the one thing people most want to change about their face.
• 75% said a good smile is important at a job interview
• 84% said a nice smile is important when trying to attract a relationship partner.
• 94% said they notice a person’s smile the first time they meet.
• 71% said people with nice smiles make friends easier.
• 86% said people with good teeth are more attractive.
• Of Americans who are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth, 36% believe they would have a better social life if they had better teeth.
• 22% of those who are unhappy with their smile think that better teeth would lead to a better love life.

More than one-third of American adults are unhappy with their smile, according to a survey commissioned by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) of which Dr. Robert Chavez and Dr. Andrew Chase of ARCH Orthodontics are long-time members. “A nicer smile helps in all relationships,” says Dr. Chavez.  Dr. Chase adds, “We have a solution for every Orthodontic problem.” He estimates that since its founding 42 years ago, ARCH has helped to improve the smiles of 20,000 people, from age 4 to 84.

ARCH Orthodontics, the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts, offers no-interest financing and free consultation (a $500 value). The practice has local convenient offices south of  Boston and on Cape Cod. To schedule an appointment,  call 1-800-28- SMILE, email smilemaker@archorthodontics.com , or visit www.archorthodontics.com.

Can’t Sleep? Maybe Your Orthodontist Can Help You Count Sheep

May 31st, 2016

After Eric K., highly successful in the finance industry and a frequent traveler, complained to his doctor about chronic fatigue, a sleep test was prescribed. Results showed he was one of the 30 million Americans suffering from sleep apnea in which sleep is interrupted many times a night. In most cases, the afflicted individual isn’t aware of the interruptions (apneas) which nightly can number in the hundreds.

Eric’s doctor prescribed CPAP therapy (pronounced see-pap –Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)– a device with a facemask and hoses that delivers a prescribed dose of oxygen.  “I tried CPAP for a year,” says Eric, “but I couldn’t bring the equipment on my 50 annual business trips  – so my sleep apnea persisted. My wife started to complain about my snoring again.”  Snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea.

Eric’s wife, who had been an Invisalign (invisible braces) patient at ARCH Orthodontics (www.archorthodontics.com), learned from Dr. Andrew Chase about a simple orthotic device designed to treat sleep apnea. Eric agreed to try the custom mouth guard that prevents the tongue from falling back into the throat, thus increasing airway volume and eliminating snoring. Another piece moves the lower jaw into a forward position, increasing space in the airway and reducing air velocity and soft tissue vibration.

After using the orthotic device for a few months, Eric underwent a new sleep study. The results were very good: No more sleep apnea! “It’s so convenient for travel,” says Eric. “It’s comfortable and easy to clean, my wife doesn’t miss the CPAP unit’s air pressure sound. She says I don’t snore — so she sleeps better, too.” The mouth guard is adjustable and Eric says he needed a bit of easy trial and error at first.

“I used to wake up groggy. Now I wake up refreshed. Having a more positive, alive outlook, I even hired a personal trainer,” he says. “Dr. Chase and his team were great, including tremendous support and follow-up. Unbelievably, he gave me his personal cell number in case I had problems.” Dr. Chase notes, “In addition to creating beautiful smiles, we want everyone to sleep well, to be alert and healthy, because there are so many reasons to smile every day. You certainly don’t want to sleep through them.”

Medical insurance may cover orthotics if prescribed and approved by the patient’s doctor. This usually requires a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis. Left untreated, chronic fatigue can lead to serious ailments including hypertension, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke – even death.

ARCH offers free consultations for all ages – a $500 value – and no-interest financing.  The 42 year-old practice also offers a courtesy discount to those serving in the military, veterans and members of their immediate families, and to municipal employees in the towns where ARCH has offices. ARCH, the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts, has seven offices south of Boston and two on Cape Cod.  For more info or to schedule a free consultation:  email smilemaker@archorthodontics.com /  1-800-28-SMILE.  Visit  www.archorthodontics.com.