Braces Friendly Recipes - Frightful Finger Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup almond slices
• 1 tube red decorating gel
• 1 tube green food coloring

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Slowly beat in the flour, baking powder and salt. Add drops of green food coloring to dough until you achieve a nice deep green color.

Divide the dough into four equal parts, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.. Take one quarter of the dough at a time from the refrigerator. Break off one heaping teaspoonful and roll it into a finger shape. Squeeze in around the middle of the finger to create a knuckle shape. Then, using a butter knife, make indents in several places to resemble a finger. Repeat with rest of dough.

Place cookies on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes - let cool. Then, squeeze red decorating gel onto the tip of each finger and gently press an almond sliver on top so the gel oozes out from underneath.

Remove cookies from baking sheets and let them cool on wire racks. Then serve and enjoy!

Adapted from "CDKitchen.com's" Marlene C. Mcasias

It’s Never Too Late To Start Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Dr. Gerald Tadej and his team at Tadej Orthodontics would like to remind people that it's never too late to start orthodontic treatment. Our office located in Bakersfield, California, provides treatment for patients of all ages living in Bakersfield as well as to those from Tehachapi, Delano, Taft, Shafter and the surrounding areas of Kern County.

We receive quite a few new adult patients here at Tadej Orthodontics who are parents of our younger patients. These adults recognize the many benefits offered by wearing braces and therefore decide to improve their own smiles. Adult orthodontic treatment can drastically improve your appearance and raise your self-esteem, which can make an impact on you socially as well as professionally. You also can improve the overall health of your teeth and gums. Having crooked teeth, a bad bite, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel and surfaces can all negatively impact your oral health so it can be advantageous indeed to obtain adult orthodontic treatment.

The great news for adult patients is the fact that Tadej Orthodontics offers both Innovation-C clear braces and Invisalign clear removable aligners, which are two low-profile orthodontic treatment options many adult patients prefer. This is because many adults do not wish to wear conspicuous metal braces but would rather have their teeth discreetly straightened using these alternative treatment methods.

About Innovation-C

With Innovation-C, there are no metal ties or elastics used. Instead a clear, invisible bracket is used. These braces are attractive and smaller than conventional braces, plus they offer better hygiene. When you wear Innovation-C braces there is less pressure put on the teeth which results in a higher level of comfort over conventional braces plus treatment time is shortened.

About Invisalign

The Invisalign system consists of a series of clear aligners, which are designed to move your teeth gradually in small steps to the desired final positions. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and can be taken out so that you can eat, brush and floss. Considering the fact that Invisalign aligners are translucent, no one will have to know that you are having your teeth straightened unless you wish to tell them.

Why Adults Are Choosing To Have Their Teeth Straightened

It is never too late to perfect your smile – just ask the increasing number of adults who are now orthodontic patients. Today, adults make up nearly half of all orthodontic patients who are finally getting the perfect smiles they have always dreamed of. The days of being a “metal mouth” are over as more lightweight, and cosmetically friendly options like Innovation-C and Invisalign are available.

Why do so many adults today choose to improve their smiles through orthodontic treatment? The reasons are many. Some adults whom could not afford braces when they were younger can afford them now. Many adults simply want a great smile, as they know it can improve both their personal and professional lives. Most will be quick to say that the temporary inconvenience and expense is well worth it as they have seen their children go through the process of having their teeth straightened and they want the same thing for themselves.

Whatever your motivation for braces may be, having your teeth straightened can change your life. Life is too short not to be able to walk into a room and have a beautiful, healthy, happy smile that makes you feel good about yourself.

If you are unhappy with your smile and are thinking of having your teeth straightened, now is a great time to obtain orthodontic treatment. If you would like to schedule an appointment with us to see if you can benefit from orthodontic treatment, give our office a call. After your initial phone call, we will send you a “new patient welcome packet”. It will contain a letter about Dr. Tadej and our office, a health history form, a patient information form and a map with directions to our office.

Tadej Orthodontics

8625 Liberty Park Drive 101

Bakersfield, CA 93311

Phone: 661.322.2263

Common Questions People Have About INVISALIGN

Invisalign, with its latest technology, now makes it possible for Dr. Tadej to tackle more severe orthodontic cases, that were previously not possible! 

The Invisalign "SmartForce" clinical features now available deliver more predictable tooth movement.  Bonded invisible attachments provide greater root tip control and more favorable tooth movement...This means that patients who previously were not candidates for Invisalign treatment, now are!

What are benefits of wearing Clear Invisalign Aligners?

Invisalign Clear Aligner

When you wear Invisalign, no one will know you are straightening your teeth because the aligners, and attachments are nearly invisible.  Anyone who prefers to discreetly straighten his or her teeth will prefer the enhanced aesthetics Invisalign offers.

How long does Invisalign Treatment take?
The length of treatment with Invisalign depends upon the severity of your case, just as with traditional braces.  Dr. Tadej will determine the best treatment plan that accomplishes beautiful straight teeth, and a healthy bite for each patient.  Some average treatment times are 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 months.

How often do I have to visit the orthodontist once I am wearing my aligners?
On average, you will see Dr. Tadej every 8-10 weeks.  You will change aligners about every 2 weeks.  The visits can be very flexible, working with busy schedules, where Dr. Tadej can dispense more aligners to a patient that cannot get to the office that often.  This has especially helpful for our patients that travel overseas for work, and college students that are only home at semester breaks.


When should you remove your Invisalign Aligners?
The prescribed amount of time to wear aligners each day is 22 hours.  Patients can remove the aligners to eat, brush, floss, and even for special occasions.


Invisalign has been worn by 1/2 million people throughout the world, and the number is continuously growing.  If you are interested in Invisalign for you or your teenager, schedule a consultation appointment with us.  Dr. Tadej will do a thorough orthodontic examination and determine if Invisalign if for you or your child.

Dr. Tadej is specializes in orthodontic care -  Offering braces, clear braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and retainers.  Helping people in Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Delano, Shafter, Wasco, and Taft in Kern County, California.

HANDBOOK FOR 2012!

Handbook For 2012:

Health:
 1. Drink plenty of water
 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar
 3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, eat less food that is manufactured in plants
 4. Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
 5. Make time to pray
 6. Play more games
 7. Read more books than you did in 2011
 8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
 9. Sleep for 8 hours
10. Take a 20-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, SMILE!


Personality:
 1. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about
 2. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the 
    positive present moment
 3. Don't overdo, keep your limits
 4. Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does
 5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
 6. Dream more while you are awake
 7. Envy is a waste of time, you already have all you need
 8. Forget the issues of the past.  Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. 
     That will ruin your present happiness
 9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10. Make peace with your past, so it wont spoil the present
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply a part of the 
     curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will
     last a lifetime
13. SMILE and laugh more
14. You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree...


Society:
 1. Call your family often
 2. Each day give something good to others
 3. Forgive everyone for everything
 4. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6
 5. Try to make at least 3 people SMILE each day
 6. What other people think of you is none of your business
 7. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick, your friends will.  Stay in touch

Life:
 1. Do the right thing!
 2. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
 3. GOD heals everything
 4. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
 5. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up
 6. The best is yet to come...
 7. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
 8. Your inner most is always happy.  So. be happy

Ever Wondered About Invisalign?

Dr. Gerald Tadej is a leading orthodontist located in Bakersfield, located in Kern County, CA. He is proud to offer his patients the Invisalign, clear aligner system in addition to other types of braces. While the end results may look the same – a confident and beautiful smile, Invisalign offers several advantages over other teeth straightening options. If you are interested in this modern approach to teeth straightening, here is some information about Invisalign that may help you decide if it's an option for you.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Invisalign Removable Aligners

Invisalign consists of clear, plastic aligner trays, which are designed to wear over your teeth. These aligners work by gradually and slowly shifting your teeth into place based on the exact movements Dr. Tadej plans out for you. There are no brackets or wires to tighten as you simply put in a new set of aligners every couple of weeks until your teeth are straightened – giving you the beautiful, radiant smile you have always dreamed of having. Perhaps the biggest advantage of all is the fact that most people will not even know that you are straightening your teeth, as the Invisalign system is virtually undetectable. This makes Invisalign a very popular choice for adults who wish to discreetly straighten their teeth.

Another advantage offered by Invisalign is the fact that you will spend less time in the doctor's chair, as there are no regular wire adjustments to make. This system also allows you the opportunity to view your virtual results before you begin so that you can see how your straightened teeth will look when you are finished with the treatment. This is not possible when you wear traditional braces as you can only imagine how your smile will improve.

The Invisalign system has been worn by nearly 1.5 million people the world over and that number grows daily. If you are interested in this revolutionary teeth-straightening system for yourself or your teenager, schedule an appointment with us so that Dr. Tadej can conduct an examination to determine if you or your child are a candidate.

Dr. Gerald Tadej specialized in Orthodontic care and braces in Bakersfield and the surrounding communities of Kern County, CA. Please feel free to visit our website www.TadejOrthodontics.com or to call our office for more information:

(661) 322-2263

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ORTHODONTIC HEALTH MONTH!

Tips for Trick-or-Treaters...

Halloween can mean big trouble for trick-or-treaters who wear braces.  Be sure to avoid any candy that is "Sticky, Chewy, Crunchy, or Gooey!"  Look for treats such as soft chocolate that can melt in your mouth.

For More information about Orthodontic Health Month,  and Halloween Safety Tips, please see the AAO website:

http://www.braces.org/NOHM/

Enjoy our beautiful Fall weather!

Dr. T

What is "Invisalign Teen?"

Every week I am asked to explain what is "Invisalign" and is my teenager a candidate for this type of treatment.  First, Invisalign treatment consists of a series of customized, virtually invisible aligners that gradually move teeth.  Are they as effective as braces?  Yes and No.  In order for aligner treatment to be effective, teens need to have a high degree of compliance, meaning they need to wear the aligners 22 hours per day.  With braces that are fixed to the teeth, compliance is taken care of.

Second, is my teenager a candidate for this type of treatment?  Not all cases can be treated with Invisalign alone.  Sometimes a combination of braces and aligners are needed for complete orthodontic correction.  When it comes down to cooperation, parents know best whether their child will be compliant or not.

The advantages of wearing aligners are cosmetic - No one knows you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.  They can be removed for sports or to play a musical instrument.  Also, no emergency visits due to poking wires or loose brackets.

On average, aligner treatment takes about as long as traditional braces and fees are comparable.  Only a qualified Orthodontic Specialist can determine which cases can be successfully treated with Invisalign.

With my new iOC scanner, a patient does not even have to have impressions taken for Invisalign!

It is a very exciting time to be involved in Orthodontics!             ~ Dr. T