Orthodontist Blog - Greater Houston Orthodontics - Houston, TX

The “New Normal” of Orthodontics After Coronavirus

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

It’s no secret that the spread of COVID-19 has drastically changed how we all live today. Now that many businesses are finally allowed to re-open, it’s time to attend your first orthodontic appointment. To help you prepare for the “new normal,” Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Niloufar Azami at Greater Houston Orthodontics will explain a few changes you can expect at your next visit.

No More Waiting Room

Instead of waiting for your appointment in the waiting area, you may be asked to simply wait in your car and call the office once you arrive. You will be notified once it is time to enter the office. Friends and family will no longer be allowed to attend appointments with patients and must also wait in the car during the duration of the appointment unless absolutely necessary. Read More

How to Handle an Invisalign Emergency if Your Orthodontist is Closed

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

At Greater Houston Orthodontics, we do our best to remain available for orthodontic emergencies. Please call our office if you think you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency. We don’t want you to feel like you’re on your own when it comes to your orthodontic treatment.

That being said, sometimes our patients run into problems or experience discomfort at a time when we can’t see them right away. We wanted to equip our orthodontic patients with some tricks and hacks that you can do at home, so you can ease discomfort and keep treatment on track until you are able to visit our office.Read More

EXPANDED SAFETY MEASURES AND GUIDELINES

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

EXPANDED SAFETY MEASURES AND GUIDELINES

We are so excited to welcome you back to the office!

Hygiene and safety have always been a priority at our office and we will be taking additional measures to ensure the safety of our patients and team during this time.

Health & Safety

We will be protecting our team and our patients with the latest recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
We have all of the latest sterilization protocols in place to ensure that our facilities and clinics are ready for your arrival.
Our reception areas are being rearranged to allow for the recommended six-foot social distancing during your visit.
We have contracted a professional cleaning service to provide an added measure of disinfection and sterilization for our entire office at the end of every workday.
We have temporarily closed our high-touch areas and removed all beverage stations and magazines from our waiting areas.

Patient Screening

All patients will be screened for a fever upon arriving. In accordance with CDC guidelines anyone presenting with a fever of 100 F will be rescheduled.
Before coming in for your appointment, all patients and/or parents must fill out the following health screening form: Pre-appointment Form

Appointments

To provide you with the best service, we have added a Concierge Program to guide you through your visits with us. Due to restrictions on the number of guests that we can have in our facilities at one time, our Concierge Team will facilitate your check-ins, procedures, and check-outs. We will anticipate your arrival, check you in for your appointment, and even deliver aligners from the comfort and safety of your car! When it is time for your appointment, we will let you know and guide you to your appropriate treatment area.
Upon arrival at the office please call us. There will be signage that reminds you of our phone number and provides links to the health screening form. Our patient concierge will come to get the patient.
Appointment scheduling has been adjusted to allow time for enhanced cleaning and sterilization measures. For example, routine adjustments, growth checkups, and Invisalign scans will be seen together. The appointments requiring use of dental handpieces and use of air and water, such as placing or removing braces require higher measures of protection and will be scheduled accordingly.
We will continue to offer virtual appointments for check-up exams, recall appointments and retainer checks.

Guidelines:

Patients experiencing flu-like symptoms, feeling unwell or suspect they have been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to proactively reschedule their appointment and not enter the office.
Please call ahead if you are experiencing an emergency or if you have a broken appliance. There may be long wait times for patients who have not notified us of their emergency prior to arrival.
All patients and visitors who enter the office wear a face mask.
We strongly prefer for anyone accompanying a patient to wait in the car during the exam unless absolutely necessary. Caregivers and guardians assisting patients with special needs are welcome to accompany the patient to the treatment area, but must wear a facial covering.
Please brush your teeth prior to your appointment, as brushing stations have been temporarily closed.
Please wash your hands in our clinical area prior to being seated for your appointment and prior to leaving our clinic after your appointment.

This is a dynamic situation and we’re constantly adjusting our approach to ensure both our patient’s and our team’s safety. Things will necessarily change and we promise to keep you updated.

Foods to Avoid with Braces During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

You’ve already been told a hundred times, but we’re telling you again: be very mindful of what you eat while wearing braces. Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Niloufar Azami in Houston, TX is a firm believer that taking care of your braces is crucial to getting a great orthodontic result!

During the coronavirus quarantine, it is harder than normal for an orthodontist to fix broken brackets or handle an orthodontic emergency. You know what they say: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! This holds true when taking care of your braces and avoiding orthodontic emergencies.Read More

What About My Braces During COVID-19?

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

With the rapid spread of COVID-19 forcing many orthodontic and dental offices to temporarily close, it is more important now than ever to practice good oral hygiene. Although we may not be sure exactly when our practice will be able to open its doors again, your smile is still our priority. For those currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr and Dr. Niloufar Azami at Greater Houston Orthodontics can help. Here are a few ways in which you can maintain good oral hygiene and until your next orthodontic appointment:Read More

COVID-19 and Our Commitment to Your Safety

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

Dear Greater Houston Orthodontics Patients,

In order to ensure the safety of our patients, our team and the community at large during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are proactively adapting the way that we provide orthodontic treatment. What this means for you:

-As of this Thursday, regular appointments will now be conducted virtually, by videoconference.
-Dental Monitoring patients will continue as usual, with weekly remote checkups.
-For Invisalign, you may come by to pick-up additional aligners for the next 8 weeks. Call us when you’re coming and we’ll leave aligners outside the office door for you.
-For our retainer patients, we will verify with you if your retainers fit well, and may ask you to send photos of you wearing your retainers to us.
-Emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please call (713) 464-7777 and we’ll work with you.
-New patient consultations will be conducted virtually.

We will reach out shortly if you have an upcoming appointment to discuss the best option for your family.

Please know that we remain committed to the importance of your healthcare, comfort and safety. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 updates, and will communicate further based on the expert advice of government departments, public health authorities and healthcare professionals.

We promise to keep you updated through this dynamic situation, and we look forward to continuing to make you smile!

Stay well,
Dr. Amir Davoody
Dr. Rana Mehr
Dr. Niloufar Azami
Dr. Adam Skrypczak

Why I Do Need To Wear Elastics?

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

Elastics, also known as rubber bands, are a very normal part of orthodontic treatment. However, we know that people sometimes find them to be a nuisance or difficult to adjust to wearing. It is important to know that Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr and Dr. Niloufar Azami at Greater Houston Orthodontics has you wearing elastics because they are essential to the completion of the patient’s orthodontic treatment.

4 Surprising Foods that can Cause Bad Breath

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Greater Houston Orthodontics

Everyone knows that garlic and onions are the usual culprits for bad breath. But do you know what other foods may be causing your stinky breath? For some people, bad breath can be genetic. However, whether you’re wearing braces or not, certain foods in your daily routine could be to blame. Read on to find out what Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr and Dr. Niloufar Azami at Greater Houston Orthodontics have to say about some bad breath causing foods!Read More