What is your New Year’s Resolution?

The 2010 holiday season is upon us, and our team at Dr. Robison's office would like to wish all our patients and their families the merriest of holidays and best wishes for the New Year.

We thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Ask Dr. Robison: Am I too old for braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Dr. Robison's office read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Happy Holidays!

Cold and Flu Season is Here - Replace Your Toothbrush!

Fall is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Robison will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at our Frederick or Middletown offices if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Hurry- Our Holiday New Patient Promotion is Almost Over!

Don't forget about our holiday gift for new patients- begin treatment before 2011 and we will give you a FREE Pola Whitening treatment (in office and a home maintenance kit). Please let our team know if you are interested!

Operation Gratitude Celebrates Shipping 600,000 Care Packages to Troops. Wow!

On Saturday, December 11th, the 600,000th care package from Operation Gratitude will be assembled and shipped out to troops overseas. This national organization, which we are pleased to be a part of with our Candy Buy Back program, annually sends out over 100,000 care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to US Service members deployed in harm's way. Each package contains donated materials, such as the candy we have collected this year.

What a huge milestone! We are proud to be a part of this great organization, and we thank you for your help with our Candy Buyback program!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration last week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Robison 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!

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics

Trust us when we say Dr. Robison 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 our office, feel free to give us a call.

24/7 access to your account

At the orthodontic office of Dr. Stanley Robison, 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 Middletown & Frederick.

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 do you enjoy most about fall?

It’s fall here in Frederick, 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 Frederick, MD community. 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!

Candy Buy Back and Canned Food Drive

Halloween is only a few days away, and we hope you are getting excited about donning your costume and heading out trick-or-treating once again. While no Halloween celebration is complete without a little candy, its important to stay away from any braces-unfriendly varieties- damaging your braces can delay your orthodontic treatment!

For all that extra candy that you’ll inevitably find yourself with, why not earn a little cash in the process? We are pleased to be offering a candy buyback program at our office. We will be accepting wrapped candy, and will be offering $1 per pound.

All that pesky unwanted yumminess will be sent to our troops in harm’s way to put a smile on their faces! We thank you ahead of time for helping us make a difference for our troops.

This year, we will also be holding a canned food drive to benefit the Boy Scouts of America. Help them fill the local food backs with non-perishable and canned goods. Lets fill those food banks before the holiday season! The pick-up date is Friday, November 12th.

For more information on our Candy Buy Back program or Canned Food Drive, please give us a call!

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 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.

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. Robison 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.

October Fun With Dr. Robison

October symbolizes the transition into the Fall season and of course, Halloween! Here in Frederick and Middletown, MD, at the orthodontic office of Dr. Stanley Robison, we have some great fun planned for all our patients.

First of all is our Oral Hygiene contest. If a patient has excellent oral hygiene, their assistant will enter their name into a drawing.At the end of the month, we will draw 3 names. And those winners will receive movie passes for them and a friend.

To celebrate Halloween, and the National Orthodontic Health Month, we are also holding our annual candy drive. Patients may bring in their non braces friendly candy from Trick-or-Treating. We weigh the candy and the person who brings in the most candy wins 100 points for the Robison Rewards Card which values a $25 gift card. The candy is then donated to our troops abroad.

Questions? Give us a call!

What do you love about Us?

From your very first visit to our orthodontic office, we strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Robison's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you!

Who benefits from braces?

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Robison 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!

All the cool kids do it!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with our team, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Dr. Robison for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

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

Some people wonder why Frederick, MD orthodontist Dr. Stanley Robison 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!

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

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your dentist every six months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Frederick and Middletown, MD areas!

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting us? If not, give us a call!

Pola Teeth Whitening Now Available!

We are pleased to announce that we are now offering the Pola Teeth Whitening system in our Frederick and Middletown offices. The Pola system can give you a fast, whiter smile, that you achieve on a visit to our office. Be sure to ask us about this exciting new treatment on your next visit!

Dr. Robison & Team Need Your Help to Collect School Supplies!

As we prepare for a new school year for many of our patients and their families, we reflect on how very fortunate we are. We all have places to go, people to see and things to buy as we prepare for school and the coming season, one of these being school supplies! At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Stanley Robison, we wanted to help underprivileged kids at West Frederick Elementary School by collecting and donating school supplies for them.

We greatly appreciate your contribution to our collection drive, and in helping us start the school year off right for our community!

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to the official blog of Dr. Stanley Robison! We've recently installed new ways to stay connected to our patients, including our Facebook page, YouTube channel and our very own blog, which we’ll be updating weekly! Visit us by clicking on any of the social network icons located on the left side of our page.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Dr. Stanley Robison and team

Meet Dr. Robison

I love what I do because of the profound positive change that orthodontic treatment brings to patients' lives. I also love the challenge that each patient presents, requiring unique solutions tailored to them. My work is never boring and I learn something new every day.

I earned my undergraduate Bachelor of Science Degree in microbiology. I then received my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Following a year of service at the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic in Pennsylvania, I received specialty training in orthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Along with certification in orthodontics, I earned a Master of Science degree for my research pertaining to the facial growth and development of patients with cleft lip and palate.

I feel strongly that the psychological and social impact of crooked teeth or poor facial balance can have a profound impact on the self esteem and overall psychological well being of a person. For this reason, I am more than willing to work with patients by offering financial options so treatment can begin when the time is right.

The ultimate goal of treatment not only includes straight teeth, but properly aligned jaws and good facial balance as well. In the vast majority of cases this goal is best achieved with a full complement of teeth through the 12 year molars. For this reason I will only order extraction of permanent teeth in the most severe cases or as a last resort.