What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Many folks in Virginia consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2011? Dr. Omar and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). After all, we know your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

-Your friends at East Gate Orthodontics

A Great Braces-friendly Winter Recipe! From Dr. Omar

It’s chilly outside, and sometimes nothing satisfies the staff here at East Gate Orthodontics more than a hot meal. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) winter dish that is sure to delight. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment.

Best Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried onion
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup Burgundy or merlot wine (Burgundy gives a deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup grated American cheese, about 4 slices, or ½ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
• ½ lb. dry spaghetti, broken in half

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large no-stick frying pan or Dutch over, sauté meat, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, wine, oregano, sugar and salt. Simmer, cover, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (It really makes a difference if you can take this amount of time! Otherwise 20 minutes will serve to heat everything.) Cook spaghetti and drain. Put half the spaghetti in a greased 3-quart casserole, and then add half the sauce and ¼ cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce, and stir everything with a large spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Best if baked for 45 minutes at 350°. Makes about six to eight servings.

Enjoy this great winter dish and Happy Holidays!

--From Dr. Omar and Team

Thanks to Invisalign, you can give the gift of a "clearly" amazing smile this holiday!

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 East Gate 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 this holiday season, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Ask Dr. Omar : Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why Chantilly VA Orthodontist Dr. Anisa Omar and 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 at East Gate Orthodontics 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!

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. Dr. Omar can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

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 East Gate 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 Dr. Omar the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Omar and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy a day filled of friends, family, and great thanksgiving food! What are you most thankful for this year? Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What do you enjoy most about fall?

It’s fall here at East Gate 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 Chantilly area. 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!

Staying connected with East Gate Orthodontics

At East Gate Orthodontics, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics

Trust us when we say Dr. Omar 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 East Gate Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

A few Halloween safety tips

Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, East Gate Orthodontics would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips for a ghoulishly good time.

A few Halloween safety guidelines:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment. If you happen to damage your braces, please give our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone.

We wish you all a happy, safe, and spooky Halloween!

A Great Braces Friendly Halloween Recipe

Our team know how tempting this time of the year can be on our sweet tooth. With all of the caramel, candy corn, and lollipops that are often passed around to trick-or-treaters, we realize that it can sometimes be hard to find hard, chewy, sticky, and crunchy candy alternatives.

However, there is good news! Today, we would like to share a great braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman. This Spider Bites recipe is delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, this is a cookie that won’t bite back!

Spider Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp. water
• 1 Tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1 Tsp. salt
• ½ Tsp. baking powder
• 1 package black rope licorice, cut into 1-inch pieces**
• 1 small tube of white (or color of choice) frosting
• Toothpicks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine shortening, sugar, water, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Add eggs into the mixture and blend. Slowly mix in flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder using low-medium speed. Drop tablespoon helpings of mixture onto ungreased cookie sheets and roll each helping into a ball.

Bake 9 minutes at 375 degrees. The batch should produce around three dozen cookies.

Let cookies cool for about 10 minutes. Then using a toothpick, create four small holes in either side of the cookie. Still using the toothpick, push one end of a piece of the cut licorice into each hole, creating the “legs” of the spider. Once all eight pieces are in place, create eyes or decorate at will using the white frosting. Then eat and enjoy!

**Licorice can sometimes stick to braces; parents should monitor

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 Dr. Omar and our staff a 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.

Kids getting braces at a younger age

Braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Omar to assess what the best age for treatment is.
Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

We Invite You to the East Gate Orthodontics Invisalign Day

Dr. Anisa Omar will be providing FREE consultations to answer your questions about
Invisalign treatment, the clear way to straighten teeth. If you have wondered if Invisalign is right for you, make an appointment for this special event.

Space is limited to the first 15 appointments, and new starts will receive $1000 off their Invisalign treatment. Visit our website to learn more about Invisalign treatment at our Chantilly, VA orthodontic office.

Fall for a beautiful smile with Invisalign!

Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Omar will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

With East Gate Orthodontics, 24/7 access to your account

At East Gate Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Chantilly, VA.

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 are patients saying about East Gate Orthodontics?

East Gate Orthodontics, serving Chantilly, Ashburn, and South Riding, VA (Virginia), has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Omar and team!

Totally satisfied ! It was my first visit and I felt so comfortable there even though dental visits are not my favorite thing. The office is very clean and inviting. Glenda (receptionist), was very friendly and helpful and Dr. Omar couldn't be any nicer. I'm very much looking forward to more visits. ~ Loren A.

Ive only known Dr Omar for a couple of months but I feel very safe during appointments. She's very gentle with my teeth. Her assistant Glenda is always in a happy mood. I highly recommend Dr Omar as an orthodontist. ~ Ruperto H.

I had a hard time finding the place. I called the front desk which she then gave be a very good direction. They greeted us at the front door and had a big smile on their face, Doctor Anisa Omar and her assistant knew exactly what they were doing. They were very professional and friendly. Doctor Anisa Omar went through every detail to make us understand what needed to be done. I would recommend anybody to their service. And to the Doctor Anisa and her Assistant thank you for all you have done and keep up the amazing work you do. ~ Maryama M.

Do you have an experience at our office that you wish to share? Leave a review for us on Google by clicking the icon below!

Getting to Know East Gate Orthodontics

Dr. Anisa Omar and her talented team serve the Chantilly, Ashburn, and South Riding, VA areas, providing orthodontic care for children, teen and adults. We specialize in the latest orthodontic technologies, including Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and the Incognito lingual bracket system. We wanted to share a few photos of our beautiful Chantilly, VA orthodontic office, and have posted an entire album of images on our Facebook page! Be sure to check them out, and while you are there, "like us" to get regular updates from the East Gate Orthodontics team!

Meet Dr. Omar

It is my goal to provide my patients with high quality, state-of-the-art orthodontic care in the most professional environment possible, where my patients’ needs are my top priority. It is my goal to deliver excellent results while maintaining a warm, respectable, and friendly environment and I strive to build lasting relationships with my patients. I am focused on making my patients feel comfortable and helping them gain confidence through orthodontic treatment.

I attended the University of Western Ontario where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. I continued on to Howard University in Washington, DC, where I earned both my Doctorate of Dental Surgery and my Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. While attending dental school, I was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. My education has enabled me to work with patients of all ages to help each person achieve their individual goals with a treatment that fits their lifestyle.

Continuing education is an important part of my work as an orthodontist, and I regularly participate in continuing education courses throughout the year. I am a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Society, the Northern Virginia Dental Society, and the Northern Virginia Orthodontic Study Club. I use continuing education as a way to maintain a state-of-the-art facility offering modern, evidence-based approaches and customized treatments for each of my patients.

After attending dental school and living in various parts of the world, I am proud to plant my roots right here in Loudoun County. I have a wonderful zest for life, and look forwarding to sharing in the unique orthodontic experiences of my patients. I strive for excellence in my professional life, while enjoying the time I spend with my family and within the community.