Happy New Year from Sobler Orthodontics!

Sobler Orthodontics would like to help you pick a New Year's resolution that will improve your oral health. We recommend picking something that is reasonable and attainable. Here are some examples: Resolve to brush twice a day, floss once a day, eat less candy, or only chew gum that is sugarless.

Good oral hygiene only takes a few minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health and overall health too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

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!

-Happy New Year, from your friends at Sobler Orthodontics

Looking for a delicious braces-friendly winter dessert? We’ve got a great recipe!

You have braces, and you’re probably wondering what to eat. You've heard from Sobler Orthodontics that you can’t have gum, popcorn or other delicious but braces-unfriendly foods. But fear not! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have a delicious recipe that will satisfy both your sugar craving and hunger when the weather gets cold.

Apple Bombolini
Ingredients:

Rustic dough
• 9 ounces cake flour (about 3 cups)
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• Pinch sea salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into large pieces
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoon cold water

Apple sauce filling
• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Diced apples:
• 4 Granny Smith apples
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ lemon, juiced

Directions:

For the dough: In a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, add the dry ingredients and mix for 5 seconds to blend. Add the butter and vanilla and mix until the butter is about the size of peas. Add the cold water and blend until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a roughly shaped ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Applesauce filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples. Put the apples with the rest of the ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and cook until the apples are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool, and refrigerate.

Diced apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into large slices. Toss with the sugar, vanilla and lemon juice and set aside.

Assemble the bomboloni: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll out to1/4-inch thick round. Cut into 6-inch rounds. Place about 1/4 cup of the Apple Sauce Filling onto the center of each round. Top with a few pieces of the Diced Apples. Pull the sides up towards the center to form a bundle, pinching the dough together towards top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before baking

Bake the bombolonis: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the bombolonis from the refrigerator and place them on a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 5 servings.

We hope you enjoy it! Happy Holidays from the Sobler Orthodontics Team.

The importance of retainers, from Sobler Orthodontics

If you recently completed treatment at Sobler Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Drs. Terry Sobler & Ian Sobler will provide—or have provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They 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. Terry Sobler or Dr. Ian Sobler is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Drs. Sobler and The Jawonio Cranio-facial Team, Honored for Giving Back to the Community

Drs. Sobler and many other professionals have recently been honored for their work with The Jawonio Craniofacial Clinic. Watch this video for an example of how the Jawonio Craniofacial Team gives back to their community. To learn more about Jawonio, please visit www.jawonio.org

Thanks to Invisalign®, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Sobler Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Happy Thanksgiving, from Sobler Orthodontics

Drs. Sobler and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

24/7 access to your account

At Sobler Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in New City and Stony Point, NY.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

What puts you at ease at Sobler Orthodontics?

Drs. Sobler and team understand not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about our team that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or doctors?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

What do you enjoy most about fall?

It’s fall here for us at Sobler Orthodontics, a time when all across the country, the leaves begin to change colors, the air becomes crisp, and families begin to make plans for Thanksgiving.

Today we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this fall?" Our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment within the New City and Stony Point communities. We are interested in learning about what makes your community “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call!

Sobler Orthodontics Explains What Helps Our Patients Unwind

Here at Sobler Orthodontics, we strive to ensure each patient's experience at our office is an enjoyable one. Many of our patients are eager and excited for their appointments, due to our fun monthly contests. For our children and teen patients, these contests are always a big draw, and something to look forward to on each visit.

We also have a TV in the operatory of our office, so that patients can enjoy television while in for their orthodontic work.

Finally, our doctors and team love to have fun. With Halloween just around the corner, we are looking forward to dressing up in our costumes this week. Want to learn more about how we emphasize patient comfort at our office? Give us a call!

What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Sobler Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask us the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give us call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

Ask Sobler Orthodontics: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why New City, and Stony Point orthodontists Drs. Terry & Ian Sobler and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean, meaning an improvement in the teeth longevity, and prevention of unnecessary wear and attrition! Straight teeth also make for a better first impression, and can help you smile for a lifetime!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. We can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

October Marks the National Orthodontic Health Month!

October symbolizes the transition into the Fall season and of course, Halloween! For our team at Sobler Orthodontics, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and orthodontic patients around the country, October also marks the National Orthodontic Health Month. This month is a great time to remind patients of the importance of strong oral hygiene and a braces-friendly diet, especially since many of the sticky and sweet Halloween treats can be harmful to braces and other orthodontic appliances.

Candy remains a huge part of Halloween for tens of millions of American kids each year. The National Confectioners Association says 93 percent of children in the United States go trick-or-treating, and estimates candy sales will be higher this year than ever. Candy is not all bad in moderation, but can lead to big problems in excess! It can lead to tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, and delayed orthodontic treatment time due to broken or loose appliances and braces. Get the facts about Halloween candy and orthodontics by asking us! You can also learn more on the AAO’s National Orthodontic Health Month website. We also appreciate your help in spreading the word!

Check out our Best Halloween Costume Contest

Believe it or not, its almost that time of year again-- time for our annual Halloween costume contest! We are sure you are each getting excited about Halloween, and many have already picked out your costume. We are offering gift certificates to the movies and Barnes and Noble to the best costumes from our patients. Submit your photo to us on our Facebook page, or bring in a photo for a chance to win!

Contest officially begins on Monday, and will end after Halloween.

Good luck!

Congratulations Peri!

Congratulations to star patient Peri on her way to a new smile! Peri has told us that she wants to be a orthodontist when she grows up. We look forward to her helping us out around the office!

Mouth guards and sports injuries, with Sobler Orthodontics

If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with our team.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Sobler Orthodontics in New City, NY.

Mouth guards and sports injuries, with [PN]

If you play sports, it's important that you consult [DN] for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Be sure, however, to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with [PN]. And don’t forget to ask us—[DN] will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at [PN].

Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Drs. Sobler for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for our doctors to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Sobler Orthodontics in New City, NY to schedule an appointment.

Your pal, fluoride

There are so many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment. You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment? Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement.

Fluoride used in the dentist/orthodontists’ office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your doctor how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Your doctor may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from Sobler Orthodontics

Trust us when we say Drs. Sobler and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Sobler Orthodontics in New City, NY, feel free to give us a call.

What's New From Sobler Orthodontics?

Summer may be nearly over, but at Sobler Orthodontics we have some exciting news for our patients! In the coming weeks we will be offering several new and exciting patient contests. Stay tuned on our Facebook page, and "like" us to automatically get updates about our contests and events!

We are also pleased to announce several new services offered at Sobler Orthodontics, including:

- Defender Mouthguards - a customized new option for athletes in braces. These new mouthguards provide one of the best fits around, and superior protection. Check out their web site for more information, or ask us!

- Damon Clear Braces - The Damon System is a great way to achieve a straighter smile, and now with clear brackets, your smile will look great even when in braces!

- The Insignia System - A high tech treatment option that can give patients a truly customized smile. With Insignia, we are able to use special orthodontic software to give you precise results in less time!

Congratulations Savannah!

At Sobler Orthodontics, we are always holding a fun contest for our patients, and this week we wanted to congratulate the latest winner, Savannah. She won a gift certificate for two to the movies! Stay tuned on our blog or our Facebook page for the latest news and events at Sobler Orthodontics!

Common Braces Problems, and how to solve them!

When you first get your braces on at Sobler Orthodontics, the doctors and the team give you a few tips on a few of the most common problems with braces, and how to solve them without needing to call us at all! Check out this short video above in case you have forgotten, and be sure to pick up extra wax at your next appointment!

Ask Sobler Orthodontics: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work, says Dr. Sobler. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Sobler is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.

At Sobler Orthodontics, easy access to your account information

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at our office enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Sobler Orthodontics Wishing You a Happy Independence Day

This upcoming Sunday - which happens to be Independence Day, of course - Drs. Sobler and our staff will celebrate our nation's 234th birthday. For most folks, the Fourth of July is a chance to celebrate and commemorate America's Declaration of Independence. It's also a time for every American to pay homage to all our soldiers, past, present and future - who lost their lives in battle - and the brave servicemen- and women who place themselves in harm's way every day so that we may continue enjoy our freedoms.

Today, we thought we'd ask: what are your Fourth of July weekend plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? A picnic? Hitting the open road with family? Having fun in the sun?

Whatever you might be doing over Independence Day weekend, our entire staff hope you have a great week and a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend! Feel free to post your Independence Day photos on our Facebook page!

June is National Smile Month!

It’s June already! Where does the time go?

Drs. Sobler and team are excited to tell you June marks National Smile Month, a great time to remind our patients to brush, floss, practice good nutrition at home (and over the summer) to avoid cavities and gum disease, among other dental health issues.

After all, there’s more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Here are a few easy steps you can improve your oral health at home:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your general dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of the tips here, we encourage you to give us a call!

–Sobler Orthodontics of New York City, New York

Meet Our Orthodontists

Dr. Terry Sobler graduated from the school of Dental Medicine of the University of Pittsburgh, earning his DMD, in 1969. He continued his education receiving his Certificate of Proficiency in Orthodontics in 1971 from the Division of Advance Dental Education, School of Dental Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Sobler is a consultant for the Camp Jawonio Cranio-facial Anomalies Center, the Montefiore Medical Center Cranio-facial Anomalies Center, and REFUAH health center. He is a member of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, the American Association of Orthodontists, Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO), and the New Conn. Orthodontic Foundation. Dr. Sobler has served as past president of the Rockland County Dental Society and former president of the New Conn. Orthodontic Foundation. He also serves as a clinical faculty member at NYU College of Dentistry, department of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopedics.

Dr. Sobler is very involved in the community, volunteering on the craniofacial team at Camp Jawonio.


Dr. Ian Sobler is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College. He received his DDS from SUNY at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine and his Certificate of Proficiency in Orthodontics from NYU College of Dentistry department of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopedics.

Dr. Ian Sobler is a consultant for Camp Jawanio Cranio-facial anomalies center and REFUAH health center. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists; the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO), New & Young members committee; and, the New Conn. Orthodontic Foundation. Dr Sobler was awarded Align Technology, Inc's Invisalign® Leader Award for having treated the most successful Invisalign cases, and was the chief resident at NYU's orthodontics program.

Dr. Sobler is a collegiate All-America Lacrosse Midfielder and volunteers as a Youth Lacrosse Coach for the Clarkstown Patriots.