Our Blog

Parent’s Point of View 

Push through even when it is hard. 

We are knee deep in an international quarantine and the situation is hard. The ebb and flow of life is full of unexpected circumstances and this is one of them. It is a statewide mandate to maintain social distance and shelter in place has caused hardship for businesses and families throughout the world. It is hard. 

What does this have to do with orthodontic care? The correlation is at times Invisalign, retainers, braces, orthodontic bands; whatever process a person experiences is not easy and at times is hard, too. 

It is a financial investment, which is worth it, but hard. It is an investment of time, which is hard to squeeze into a busy lifestyle. I expected both of those when we started this process. What I did not expect is the physical pain. Moving teeth is not for the faint of heart. It is not that bad, but it is noticeable. The pain is not constant; it comes and goes. One tray may be tight and then the next week not as tight. There seems to be a rhythm and science to how the trays are designed. This is what is fascinating about the process; the gradual shift. 

At night, when I put in a new set it is painful since my teeth were used to the old set. But after a night’s sleep, the teeth have adjusted a bit and the pain subsides. It no longer as painful, just a slight tightening feeling; all necessary to achieve movement, correction, and needed to maintain progress. 

Everyone wants what they want, without any pain. But the reality is we have to push through, even when it is hard. We want a result, and most of the time there is pain involved. Orthodontics involves the harsh reality of pain, but it is worth it. For every person, the amount of pain varies depending on their situation, level of correction, and pain tolerance. 

23 weeks in and I would definitely do this all over again. The results thus far are excellent, and I am seeing great improvements. 

There is a level of discipline which rides alongside of physical pain; a strong mental focus, much like that of a professional athlete. The best of the best are disciplined as they push through the pain, maintain focus, and achieve the result they are seeking. No one tells athletes how painful it will be but when a person can visualize the target, they push through the pain. No one tells you how hard orthodontics will be, but if the result is a priority and within reach, then pushing through is worth the effort. 

Wearing Invisalign is not that painful, but it is good to know that your teeth are not going to move without a bit of pain. It’s not like you’re moving a piece of light furniture; in my case it’s more like you’re trying to move a heavy armoire that has not moved in 50 years; and it’s hard. It is hard to move, it is not easy, and it is a pain. 

There is a reward to pushing through the pain; in the end, the result makes the uncomfortableness worth it. Think like an athlete, stay mentally focused on the goal, remain disciplined, and do not give up moving the armoire even when it is hard. Push through. Your smile with thank you for it. 

Liao Company is a Central Valley Company which offers content marketing for organizations, businesses, and corporations. www.liaocompany.com liaocompany@gmail.com 

Teenager’s Point of View 

Sincerity towards safety ~ secure, welcoming, professional and with grace. 

My orthodontist appointment was during the pandemic. Most places started opening up so this appointment was about getting settled in and a checkup, with safety precautions of course. I have to say that Dr. Kubo was the first appointment I have been to, during the pandemic. 

I was honestly nervous about how it was going to go and how they would handle the whole situation. I must say, they handled it very professionally and with grace. 

We came to the front door with our masks on and the sign posted said to wait outside and to call when you get there. We waited patiently at the front door and called. They answered and said that a woman would come out and take our temperature and ask a few questions. 

We did so, and the woman was very well protected and it made me feel secure. We finished the check in, came in and sanitized our hands at the little clean stand. We were ushered to the back and went to a little room off the side. Everyone was in the same gear as the first woman and there were barely any patients inside. 

I can tell that they were being extra cautious with the whole process, and I greatly appreciate their sincerity towards their safety and ours. 

After the appointment, we left the same way we came in. I was very pleased with my experience with the whole thing. They accomplished a safe, but still very welcoming procedure even with a pandemic going on.

Two-phase orthodontic treatment involves two separate and distinct periods that your child receives orthodontic treatment. It allows your son or daughter to begin early treatment of bite and jaw problems, in order to reduce the dental issues he or she experiences later on.

Two-phase orthodontic treatment with Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo can improve how well the second phase of the treatment works and helps to make room for permanent teeth. Overall, two-phase treatment helps to position the teeth and the jaw for an attractive profile. Our team at Kubo Orthodontic Group recommends that you bring your child to our Fresno, CA office at the age of seven or eight, so that Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo can determine if early (Phase-One) treatment is necessary.

Phase-One

Phase-One orthodontic treatment is known as early treatment. It begins shortly after your child’s first orthodontic examination, usually around age eight or nine. The main goal of Phase-One orthodontic treatment is to help make room for permanent teeth, which reduces crooked teeth as a result of overcrowding. It treats the jaw and bite growth, and issues like crossbite or underbite. This can reduce the need for your child to undergo extractions.

Phase-Two

Phase-Two orthodontic treatment is when braces are placed on the upper and/or lower teeth. The purpose is not just to correct spaces or misaligned teeth, but also to correct overbite or underbite concerns. Phase-Two usually begins around age 11 or 12, and the braces are worn for an average of two to three years, depending on your child’s unique needs. Some children have fewer issues and wear braces for little more than a year, while others need them for up to four years.

Signs your child needs two-phase orthodontic treatment

If your child exhibits the following signs, he or she may be a good candidate for two-phase orthodontic treatment:

• Losing baby teeth early, before five years of age
• Problems with biting or chewing
• Sucking the thumb after age five
• Evidence of a crossbite, where the teeth don’t come together when opening or closing of the mouth
• Teeth are crowded at age seven or eight
• Protruding teeth on the top or bottom

Not all children need to have early treatment, but if your child shows any of these signs, you should bring him or her to us for an evaluation at Kubo Orthodontic Group.

Parent’s Point of View 

Anticipation. Looking ahead. Results. 

Anticipation is defined as excitement, waiting eagerly for something you know is going to happen. This entire orthodontic experience is filled with anticipation. From the beginning, a person goes into this process with one goal; straight teeth and an improved smile. 

Sometimes you start something and you do not realize the outcome until the end. With Invisalign, a person can look ahead at trays and see the outcome. It has been intriguing to look at the trays ahead and see what my teeth will be in 4 weeks. There is a significant difference. You can visually see progress in the trays; and I can visually see progress of my teeth. 

Anticipation is an advanced realization of something to come. It is powerful to see the outcome, and it is motivating. It makes the financial investment worth it. It makes the daily maintenance routine worth it, and it makes the time invested worth it. 

We are on tray 23, which means we are 23 weeks into the process. I can see results already and there are many more weeks of improvement ahead. I anticipate a great outcome, am satisfied with where we are, and look forward to the end result. 

When I started this, I did not realize that in 23 weeks we would be this far along. I just knew there was a high level of trust in Kubo Orthodontist and was willing to invest my time and energy. 

To measure progress, I actually found my first tray and compared it to where I am at 23 weeks. This was a perfect data point to measure progress and show change. There is significant improvement from tray 1 to tray 23; but it is important to pay attention to the human element. Without consistent dedication to wearing trays at all times, movement and results may take longer. Being obsessive about wearing trays at all times is definitely a benefit. 

With anticipation, there is a mixed bag of emotion. No one wants to deal with disappointment and let down; that is not the case here. Anticipation has matched with not only satisfaction, but also amazement in the process and contentment in high standards of staff. 

When we commit to something, we desire a positive outcome. We expect results and anticipate. Throughout this Invisalign experience, there has been a high level of professionalism with a personal touch. When anticipation leads to results and goals are met, there is a level of satisfaction, which everyone desires. 

Liao Company is a Central Valley Company which offers content marketing for organizations, businesses, and corporations. www.liaocompany.com liaocompany@gmail.com 

Teenager’s Point of View 

Strive for perfection; most normal I’ve felt in a while 

This is an exciting entry. I was really excited to write this one because it was the first time I got to go back to Dr Kubo’s office since this pandemic. I was on my last set recently and this appointment was for a checkup. 

To be honest, I hoped going back would bring back some happy memories of when I first went. 

We got there and walked up; there were a few people standing outside and they had their masks on. We all stood outside because the door was locked. Eventually the girl who me and my mom first met at the very beginning came out. I was so thrilled to see a familiar face at the entrance especially with all this going on. She called me and my mom’s name and we went up to her. She scanned us to see if we were sick because of this whole pandemic, and she is trying to keep their office clean. 

My mom and I were free and we walked in. To our left there was a small coffee table with extra gloves, masks, and some hand sanitizer. All the chairs and tables that are usually there were moved. 

After that, we went to the back. But instead of going to our usual spot, we went to the office that me and my mom went to when we first came to Dr. Kubo’s. I haven’t been there in a long time, but it refreshed my memory of when we first had a discussion about getting our teeth the way we want. 

We sat down and the lady explained to us what was going to happen and what has been happening to everyone since they opened up again. She told us how it’s going to work moving forward. 

Then I sat on the chair and Dr. Kubo came in. Everyone seemed calm, all of the staff and Dr. Kubo himself. They were all heavily equipped with protection just in case. We small talked and then Dr. Kubo went straight to work. 

He looked at my teeth to see if there was anything we could fix or adjust to my liking. Although I thought my teeth looked pretty good, Dr. Kubo always wants to achieve higher than the bare minimum. I guess that’s what makes him so good; that he doesn’t strive for good, he strives for perfection. He wants every guest and customer to feel like they are in love with their smile. He works his very hardest along with his co-workers to accomplish satisfaction with every family and every smile. 

Although this appointment was not normal; it was the most normal I’ve felt in a while.

The month of May has the unique distinction of being National Teen Self-Esteem Month. What does that mean?

National Teen Self-Esteem Month was created to raise public awareness about how low self-esteem can negatively affect teens. Especially during May, parents and guardians of teens are asked to be positive role models. If teens can receive positive re-enforcement and their negative images of themselves are improved, then their self-esteem has a better chance of developing in a positive direction.

Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo and our team at Kubo Orthodontic Group know there are a lot of young adults living in America are struggling with depressed self-images. These can affect all aspects of their everyday lives. Some evidence shows learning abilities and increased risk of eating disorders can originate in a teen’s low self-esteem. It can also lead to abuse of drugs and thoughts of suicide. Dating violence among high school teens is now more common than previously thought.

What can be done to help?

So what can adults do specifically to help their teens? The National Teen Self-Esteem Facebook page offers a variety of suggestions and positive messages for teens and parents alike. Of all the pages your teen “likes” on social media, perhaps he or she should include this page. Some of the tips offered include:

1. When you stumble, get right back up.
2. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
3. Do things that make you feel good about yourself.
4. Open yourself up to compliments.

Another great way to build self-esteem is to have a beautiful, health smile, and that’s where our team at Kubo Orthodontic Group come in! Whether your teen is due for a simple cleaning, could benefit from cosmetic treatments, or needs orthodontic care, we can help bestow a confident smile he or she will be proud to show off.

Overall, a more positive approach to life will help us all. It is a very important trait to instill in our teens. As parents, a big part of our responsibility is to show our children there is always another day and bumps in the road are just that. We need to help guide their self-esteem and reinforce their positive traits. We can help them recognize the value of who they are.

We should make our children’s self esteem a priority — not just in May, but throughout the year. Let National Teen Self-Esteem Month serve as the impetus for new levels of self-esteem.

For more information on this topic, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo, please give us a call at our convenient Fresno, CA office!