We hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season, and wish you a happy and healthy 2012!
Happy New Year from the Zachary Family to Yours
December 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Zachary Orthodontics Celebrates Two Staff Anniversaries and a Birthday!
December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Dr. Zachary is proud to announce the recent anniversaries of two of our longest-serving orthodontic staff, Maria and Julie! Maria has been affiliated with our practice since 1988, Julie since 1985!
Both Maria and Julie have been integral to helping maintain Dr. Zachary’s high level of quality orthodontic care. Both ladies have children who have grown up in our local schools and who continue to contribute to the success of our communities. We feel so fortunate that Maria and Julie have continued to be part of our team – we look forward to another 25 years with them!
We also want to wish Theresa a very happy December birthday! Theresa joined our practice 5 years ago when she relocated to South Orange County. Happy Birthday, Theresa!
Still Too Few Athletes Wearing Mouthguards
November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Despite vociferous and repeated recommendations by dental professionals that sports-playing youths wear mouthguards, a large number of children are still ignoring the warnings. Mouthguards not only protect a player’s teeth, but also help prevent concussions, with the mouthguard acting as a shock absorber.
According to recent studies, 68% of parents reported their child chooses against using a mouthguard when playing baseball, basketball, softball, and soccer. Studies have shown that basketball players are 15 times more at risk sustaining orofacial or concussion-type injury compared to football players.
Because we feel it is so important to protect these athletes, as well as all of our kids at Zachary Orthodontics, we offer complementary mouthguards for all our patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
A Note from the Staff About Dr. Zachary…
November 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
We should be calling this little article, “All in the Family.”
As so many of you have now experienced, Dr. Zachary continuously honors each of us, his staff members, as we celebrate our years spent in his practice. He generously describes our qualities and contributions as if we were part of his immediate family. He does so at our office, and even here on the website! We would now like to take the opportunity to shine that spotlight back on him…
Dr. Zachary grew up in the San Fernando Valley with mom Dina, dad Tony and sister Joanna. Like so many of your children, he played Little League, more specifically, first base. And, at age 10, there was that one game, that one incredible game! The picture below highlights that time in Dr. Zachary’s life, his uniform, all that hair (!), and the the loving tribute written by his father to his young son, forever saving that moment as a special memory for them both. We hope it touches you the way it has touched us!
As we approach Thanksgiving, we give thanks for Dr. Zachary and for you, the families who have made it possible for us to take part in your life while doing what we love to do!
– The Orthodontic Staff at Zachary Orthodontics
Dr. Zachary and UC Irvine Biology Department Mentorship
November 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
When Dr. Zachary graduated from UC Irvine years ago with his double degree in Biology and Applied Psychology, he knew that as his practice grew, he would be sure to give back to the university that was the springboard for his orthodontic career.
This year, Dr. Zachary was one of the few UC Irvine Biology Department Mentors asked to mentor two current UC Irvine students, instead of just the usual one. Dr. Zachary is thrilled to continue his involvement in the UC Irvine Biology Department Mentorship program, and looks forward to presenting orthodontics as a career to its students. Stay tuned for future blog posts on Dr. Zachary’s mentorship progress.
UC Irvine School of Biological Sciences
Happy Anniversary, Carolyn!
November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This October we celebrated Carolyn’s 9th year anniversary with our office as our New Patient Coordinator! We feel so lucky to have Carolyn, a veteran in the orthodontic field for over 21 years.
Carolyn has excelled at creating a professional environment for our new patients who walk through our door. She makes sure their experience is the best possible, anticipating what Dr. Zachary needs at the ready for the full diagnosis and treatment planning appointment for each patient. She coordinates the appointments necessary to start orthodontic treatment…always referring to the patient’s school, sports, family, or work schedules. Being a mom of three children, Carolyn is aware of the pulls and tugs on a family’s schedule and makes it her responsibility to accommodate even the most busy and challenging schedules.
We are pleased to congratulate Carolyn on her 9 years of service at Zachary Orthodontics, and look forward to at least another 9 years!
Showcasing Local Businesses at Zachary Orthodontics
October 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
As part of our ongoing efforts to highlight our wonderful patients and their terrific parents, and continue to “give back” to our community, Zachary Orthodontics has started what we call our “Local Focus: Parent Business Showcase.” This is an opportunity for families who have received orthodontic treatment, and those who are being treated currently, to showcase their small local businesses in our office. Since we have so many families coming through our doors weekly, we thought it would be a great opportunity for other parents, patients, and families to be be exposed to these businesses.
Frankie and Julie
One business is chosen every two weeks via drawing. The response has already been huge! We are still accepting new submissions for businesses to be included in future drawings. We strongly suggest that each featured business provides an 8.5 x 11 inch sign and business cards, or special offer cards, etc. Zachary Orthodontics will handle all the other logistics, as well as providing gourmet coffee and tea selections with biscotti for each showcase.
Contact us for more information here on the website, or by phone at 949.831.5500, or in person at our Laguna Niguel office.
Orthodontic Screenings by Zachary Orthodontics
October 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Zachary Orthodontics continues its commitment to health education to all the communities in Orange County. A frequent volunteer at Pretend City, Dr. Zachary is providing those visitors to the Children’s Museum the benefits of his experience as a prominent orthodontist free of charge at special events at Pretend City.
Keep those pearly whites healthy this month before all the Halloween treats! Although an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, the optimal time period to begin treatment should occur no later than age 7, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but a screening can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.
Happy Birthday, Cindy!
October 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
September is the month we celebrate Cindy’s birthday! Cindy has been affiliated with our office since 1993! She has worked as a chairside assistant and is considered as one of the most seasoned orthodontic professionals. Cindy adds the X-factor…she is always upbeat and running on all four burners! Often times when former patients return for their annual retainer checks, they remember Cindy from years past and a tearfully joyous reunion seems to always unfold.
We wish Cindy many happy and healthy birthdays!
Wisdom Teeth Removal: When is the Right Time to Have Yours Extracted?
September 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Wisdom tooth removal or extraction – a common concern. Patients often ask us, “When should I have my wisdom teeth removed?”
Many patients ask Dr. Zachary this question throughout treatment and his answer is always the same: “It depends.” Dr. Zachary has always used strict criteria to determine if wisdom teeth or 3rd molars need to be removed.
A wisdom tooth protrudes outwards from the gumline at the back of the lower teeth.
- if the wisdom teeth are pathologic or cystic (meaning they look damaging or present like a cyst on an xray),
- if they are compromising adjacent structures (causing damage to other teeth, for instance),
- if they are unable to be adequately cleaned if in the mouth,
- if they have large cavities and/or require extensive restorations.
The timing of wisdom tooth removal is dependent upon many factors as well, and Dr. Zachary works closely with many of the oral surgeons in South Orange County to ensure the proper timing and seamless teamwork on the patient’s behalf.
Photo credit: Wikipedia
