Our Blog

Parent’s Point of View 

Kubo legacy - multi generations family of orthodontists - multi generations patients 

Legacy. According to the Cambridge dictionary, legacy is defined as something that is a part of your history or that remains from an earlier time. When we first began to research Orthodontic care; the staff at Kubo Orthodontics impressed us. From the very first interaction, to our first appointment it was definitely the people who went above and beyond. 

There was a professionalism that was superior. There was consistency in high standards. There was efficiency. Each person knew their role and did their job with excellence; from scheduling, to dental assisting, to finances; the standard was high. Exceptionalism is rare. 

Over a few conversations, I discovered the Kubo family legacy. The Kubo’s had a distinctively respected past, a history dating back to the beginning in 1949. It was then, that Kubo Orthodontics was born and Jim and Bob have carried the traditions that their father established. 

Over 70 years of family legacy. This is something special; a father establishing a well-respected orthodontist  practice in the 1940’s and his two sons carrying on his legacy in 2020 and going forward. 

While waiting on the bench for my daughter, a mother began to tell me how she was a patient many years ago and she is now bringing her two sons in for orthodontic care. Multi generation of doctors; and multi generation of patients. This is the Kubo legacy. Over 70 years of healthcare and contributions to the Central Valley. 

Experience and excellence is a must when it comes to healthcare. Assurance and confidence in treatment is what we all desire. 70+ years of consistency is impressive. I thought I was just getting straight teeth; but it is much more than that. It is knowing that there are great people doing great things for us and the next generation. 

As parents, we have a responsibility to surround our children by the finest. And if multiple generations of families have relied on the Kubo’s for over 70 years, that is essential evidence. It demonstrates high standards and consistency. 

A legacy is established by the great people within it; and when you know you are surrounded by good people, there is a palpable feeling of reassurance. 

The industry of orthodontic care has changed over the past 70 years; and as technology continues to shift, methods and treatment plans will evolve. 

Orthodontic care has changed, but have people changed over the past century? 

70 years ago a great person was a great person. And 70 years from now, a great person will be a great person. 

Over 70 years of exemplary service is rare. Over 70 years of great people is even more rare. 

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 

Most un-chaotic place. Good Vibes. Good People. 

This appointment was more of a fun one for me. It was the first time I was going to get bands on my teeth. We went in the morning this time because we planned this appointment well in advance. I couldn’t wait for something new to happen to my teeth. 

We arrived and walked in. Everything seemed familiar like this was the hundredth time I’ve done it. I walked in, signed in, and sat down. I always love the choice of music. The one thing I really like about the rooms, is the people inside never fail to make you feel comfortable. 

I feel like the vibes are always really good when you come in. I think that it is the most un-chaotic place; it’s just quiet and peaceful. They called us back and it was really quick. We headed back and I sat down, waiting to be called to my seat. 

They eventually called and had me sit in one chair and my mom right next to me. I couldn’t hold my excitement anymore. I just wanted to know what bands felt like. I feel like I had many stories about people hating bands and how tight they were, but the weird thing was I was more excited than I was dreading it. 

They had me lay back and check if I had any brackets missing. They saw I did not, so they continued with the procedure. Dr. Kubo came and started adding these metal things to my teeth that would hold the band. He explained all the steps to me and why they were needed. He put them on my teeth and it was nothing like I was expecting. It was not tight at all. I just felt the bands in my mouth but I didn’t feel the tightness like everyone tells me about. 

I looked in the mirror and I could barely see them because they were clear. After Dr. Kubo left to go work on my mom, the lady explained that my teeth might feel a little tender after and I can eat whatever but just be careful. She gave me a bag of bands and told me to change them every now and then to keep the tightness intact. 

Then I grabbed my stuff while my mom was finishing up. We went back to the front desk ladies after saying goodbye to Dr. Kubo. They were nice, as always; then we walked out. When I got to school, no one noticed I had bands; I had to point it out to them. After a while, my teeth were a little tender; but I knew it was all worth it in the end.

Is it possible to straighten the teeth without braces? Yes, it is. Welcome to the world of Invisalign aligners. Invisalign aligners are made from a clear, thermoplastic material that is custom made to fit your teeth. Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. More importantly, the clear thermoplastic material makes the aligners invisible, which is ideal if the thought of metal braces and elastics make you self-conscious. For the best results, proper handling and care of your Invisalign aligners is important. Follow these steps to take care of your aligners:

1. Do not eat or drink hot beverages while wearing aligners. It's a good idea to get in the practice of removing the aligners before eating and drinking. Because the aligners are made of plastic resin, heat can distort and damage them. Also, eating while wearing the aligners will cause sugar and other food particles to stay on your teeth, which contributes to plaque and tooth decay.

2. Clean the aligner trays regularly. Invisalign aligners are exposed to the same bacteria and plaque that your mouth is, so you need to clean them as regularly as you clean your teeth. However, avoid cleaning the aligners with harsh chemicals. We recommend using a cleaning kit or some other type of specific solution. When it comes to cleaning Invisalign aligners, carefully follow the instructions given by Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo.

3. Store aligners in a cool, dry, safe place. When you’re not wearing the aligners, store them in the case provided by our office. If you don’t use the case, they can easily be lost. Keeping them out of reach of small children and pets is also a good idea. The last thing you want is for Fido to think your Invisalign aligners are chew toys.

4. Don’t chew gum while wearing aligners. There’s one thing that conventional braces and Invisalign aligners have in common: chewing gum damages both of them.

5. Don’t soak aligners in mouthwash. Many popular mouthwashes contain a color pigment. It’s possible that soaking Invisalign aligners in mouthwash will tint or stain them.

For more tips and tricks for a successful Invisalign experience, contact our Fresno, CA office!

Parent’s Point of View 

It takes time… Trust the process 

Timing is everything. We all what we want, when we want it, and generally we want it now. Life does not always work the way we want; immediacy. When I started this process of orthodontic care, there were visions of a great smile and straight teeth and I wanted it to happen fast. But the reality is that it takes time for teeth to move; after all, they have been in place for 50 years and shifting takes time, movement takes time. Life has its own timing. There is a process for everything and this process needs time. Learning to trust the process is key. 

After a few weeks into the process, living with Invisalign had become second nature; consistently wearing them 24/7 and only taking them while eating; learning to enunciate succinctly while speaking and keeping my trays clean became habit. At this fourth appointment, my question to Dr. Kubo was, “How long will this process take?” The answer was not simple nor concrete. “That is the X factor, the unknown.” Such is life. There is an unknown to many of our questions and this was one of them. 

I wanted to know how long this would go on before my smile became what I envisioned. But the answer was the X factor, unknown to us; unknown to Dr. Kubo and unknown to me as a patient.  Only time would tell. Depending on the structure and state of teeth, we can anticipate 18 months, but this is only speculation. 

We as patients can control time wearing our Invisalign; we are the Y factor. We control the frequency that we wear our Invisalign. With braces, we do not have the ability to remove them. There is no choice, they are wired in 24/7. With the ability to remove a retainer and Invisalign trays, we have control over how frequent or infrequent we wear them. If we develop inconsistent habits of not wearing them, there is a delay in outcomes. 

We, as the Y factor, have direct influence on how much time we wear our Invisalign. The more we wear them, the more effective the treatment. If we habitually remove the trays, our teeth are not moving towards what we desire. Visualizing my straight teeth motivates me to wear my trays at all times, only taking them out to eat. 

The human element directly influences outcomes. Dr. Kubo assesses and prescribes a customized treatment plan and our role as patients is to follow and execute the plan. There is a level of discipline and accountability on our part as a patient. And over time, with consistent follow through; there is progress. 

Human element. Effort. Discipline. Timing. Progress. Trust. 

Our power and influence as people is great. It takes effort. It takes discipline. It takes time. Progress takes time. Trust the process. 

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 

Nice to know someone cares… like your teeth are going to the spa… feeling confident about your smile 

This was the first time we were going during the afternoon. We had to book later because the schedule was almost full and that was the only time that worked. This told me that the Kubo’s have many clients, so it must be good.  

Going during the afternoon gave me different vibes. I have a feeling that a good percentage of Kubo’s clients are probably just like me; young kids in high school and middle school getting their braces, retainers or Invisalign. They all probably wanted to book appointments in the morning to not conflict with their after school activities or their involvement in school. I can relate to this, because I am the same. It’s nice to know I am not the only one. 

When we got there and got inside, it was pretty quiet except for the music. We signed in as usual and waited to be called back. I was pretty tired from school and practice and I also had practice after the appointment too, so I was exhausted. When I sat down, I finally had some time to relax. 

When they called us back, I saw Dr. Kubo and he called us over to a chair. He had me sit and started looking to see if anything fell off, like a bracket. He always asks how I am, how school is, and just checks in. It is nice to know someone cares enough to ask how we are. Even though we are just there for the appointment and my teeth, it never hurts to ask how someone is feeling. 

Anyways, he started working on my teeth and to be honest, I just closed my eyes and almost fell asleep. I find this funny because you would think the orthodontist is just like the dentist. May I just say, it is so much more relaxing then the dentist. 

I find them working on my teeth actually very soothing. It is honestly nothing to be scared of or worried about. I find cleaning and putting brackets on, almost like your teeth are going to the spa. 

After it was all finished, we said goodbye and went to the front desk ladies; and they were as nice as they always are. After leaving, I felt good about my teeth. I think that’s a major thing that Dr. Kubo and the team is really good at, making you feel confident about your smile.

If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo and our team think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months, or as recommended, in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing. (And visiting Kubo Orthodontic Group for regular adjustments, of course.)

Dental checkups are crucial 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 tooth decay, as well as catch and treat oral health problems early. During an oral exam, your dentist can also 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 adjustment visit and we will provide a few great references in the Fresno, CA area!