Be Careful Out There!

As we approach the holidays, the weather conditions here in Indianapolis are as intense as ever -- snow, ice and heavy winds all make for difficult driving and walking conditions. The team at Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics would like to remind you to be safe when you're out and about! Here is some helpful advice we wanted to share with you for traveling this season:

1. Winterize your vehicle: This includes checking your tire pressure, inspecting all belts and hoses, making sure the battery is fully charged, switching to a thinner grade of engine oil for better performance in colder temperatures and inspect the wipers and wiper fluid to ensure better visibility.

2. Drive, accelerate, and brake slowly: Make sure you begin to decelerate well in advance of turning a corner. If you go into a skid, turn your wheels into the skid and accelerate slightly to regain control of the vehicle.

3. Pack an emergency road kit and learn common emergency signs: Get to know winter driving basics, such as always having extra oil and antifreeze, blankets and drinking water, and emergency road flares. Your cell phone should be with you at all times, and if you have an extra, keep a spare charger in your vehicle.

4. Learn how to install tire chains: Choose chains that are easy to install, and then practice putting them on and taking them off a few times in your driveway or parking lot.

5. Learn how to fix a flat tire: Flat tires are easy to fix if you have the right tools and you know what to do. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and in good condition, and be sure you have a full set of tools, including a good jack that you know how to operate and a lug wrench that will get the job done. This video explains how to easily change a tire.

6. Learn how to jump start a car: If you should experience a battery that has lost power, you'll need a set of jumper cables and someone who can lend you a car. This video explains how to properly jump start your vehicle.

Finally, if you don't feel safe going out, you can always reschedule your appointment. At Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics our patients' well-being is our primary concern, and that includes staying safe (and warm) on the roads this winter season!

Help to Get You Through the Cold and Flu Season

Traditionally cold and flu season starts in Fall, but this year it seems to have started much earlier and with the recent spread of H1N1, Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics is taking additional precautions to help prevent the spread of germs and viruses.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we have always paid great attention to the sanitation and sterilization of our office, following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we ask that our patients kindly reschedule their appointments if they are experiencing flu symptoms or have come down with a cold or other illness that could infect others.

Maintaining and protecting your oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To help protect yourself, follow these steps:

• Always wash your hands before and after brushing and flossing your teeth, or when removing or replacing your retainer or Invisalign trays
• Allow your toothbrush to air dry after each use, as many harmful bacteria die after being exposed to oxygen
• Store and care for your toothbrush and orthodontic appliances properly when not in use
• Replace your toothbrush after every illness, or every three to four months when bristles begin to appear worn

Hope this helps you stay healthy this cold and flu season!

--Drs. Sondhi & Biggs and the Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics Team

What Do You Love About Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to our orthodontic office, we strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for generations, we’d love to hear your feedback!

Have you been especially impressed by our orthodontists? Did our front office team go out of their way to make your day? Do you love your new smile? Please let us know about your experience here – it only takes a moment!

Thank you,

Drs. Sondhi & Biggs and the Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics Team

Invisalign Tips

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.

--Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics

The Treatment Process, A Patient's Perspective

We at Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics believe that each patient is different, and there is an optimal time and treatment for you personally. Watch as this patient describes the individualized treatment process that we took with her daughter.

Imagining Your Life With Invisalign

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Drs. Sondhi and Biggs will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Upcoming Seminar with Dr. Sondhi: October 9-10

Dr. Anoop Sondhi will be teaching one of his world-renowned In-Office Seminars this weekend, on October 9-10, 2009! Dr. Sondhi, along with the help of the Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics clinical staff, will be demonstrating many of the cutting edge treatment techniques that he has developed.

We have doctors who will be coming to our Indianapolis office from all over the United States, Canada, and Europe! We are all very excited and appreciate the opportunity to share our expertise with other orthodontists from around the world this weekend.

We would also especially like to thank all of our patients who will be participating in the seminar! To learn more about our famous In-Office Seminars or to learn more about Sondhi-Biggs Orthodontics, please contact our office.

Dr. Biggs Is a St. Jude Hero!

On October 11, 2009, Dr. Biggs will be running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in order to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Biggs has already raised over $4,000! To learn more about the St. Jude Heroes program or to make a contribution, please visit www.stjudeheroes.org.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded in 1962 by Danny Thomas with the mission of finding cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and all over the world, using a pioneering combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to treat childhood cancers.

Dr. Biggs has been training for 18 weeks in preparation for the 26.2 mile run through Chicago to support continuing research at St. Jude. Be sure to wish him luck for this extremely worthy cause!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

We all know that October is often associated with Halloween, so people tend to connect the month with things such as candy, costumes, cooler weather, and falling leaves. But did you know that October is also National Orthodontic Health Month? The American Association of Orthodontists began celebrating National Orthodontic Health Month as a way of publicly educating current and future orthodontic patients.

When trick-or-treating this Halloween, remember to avoid hard, sticky candies and foods - these can damage your orthodontic appliances and extend your treatment time. Instead, stick to soft chocolates and other soft candies which are braces-friendly. Help yourself by staying away from the ghouls and goblins of candy this Halloween season!