Montano Orthodontics Hosts Dr. Ron Jackson

On October 20, Montano Orthodontics hosted a meeting titled, "Replacing Congenitally Missing Laterals in Young People." The meeting was presented by Dr. Ron Jackson, who has published many articles on esthetic, adhesive dentistry and has lectured across the United States and abroad.

During the meeting, Dr. Jackson discussed conservative, durable and esthetic techniques for replacing missing incisors when implants are contraindicated or not desired by the patient.

Dr. Jackson also discussed the need to understand clinical situations where implants may not be the best method for replacing missing incisors, having the appreciation for an interdisciplinary approach when replacing congenitally missing lateral incisors in young people and the need to be able to conservatively and predictably replace missing laterals using bonded fiber reinforced indirect composite.

Dr. Montano and staff were extremely happy to have Dr. Jackson speak. In attendance were all local Bakersfield dentists.

Dr. Jackson, who has a private practice in Middleburg, West Virginia, is a Fellow in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, a Diplomat in the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry and is the Director of the Advanced Adhesive Dentistry and Anterior Direct Resin programs at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.

First Recipient of Dr. Montano's Smile For A Lifetime Orthodontic Scholarship: Kecia Culhane

Kecia Culhane from Taft Union High School is the first recipient of Dr. Donald Montano's Smile for a Lifetime Orthodontic Scholarship. Smile for a Lifetime offers no cost dental work and orthodontic treatment to students in need. Learn about Kecia's journey to a lifetime of beautiful smiles and how Orthodontist Donald Montano brings hope and inspiration to his community in Bakersfield, CA.

Share Your Smile at Montano Orthodontics

At Dr. Montano's office, we reward you for smiling and sharing that smile with your friends and family. So, we have Montano Smile Cards.

Every time you share your smile card with someone, we enter your name in a drawing. For every card, you receive 6 points toward gifts in our prize cabinet and you have the chance to win a great prize if we draw your name!

Each time you share your smile, you will be entered into a drawing to win a cool prize and receive 6pts towards gifts in our prize cabinet.

For more details call or email us today at Montano Orthodontics!

Watch Dr. Donald Montano and the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation on the News

Dr. Montano and the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation are reaching out to under-served children around the country who are heavily involved in their communities and unable to afford orthodontic treatment. They mission of the foundation is to help these children in the hopes that they will continue to give back to their communities.

A smile is powerful and beautiful, and no child should be afraid to smile because they are self-conscious about their teeth. Thanks to Dr. Montano and the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, more children will experience smiles they are proud of.

Montano Orthodontics: Helping Kids Want To Smile

Ask any child with less-than-perfect teeth about teasing and nicknames and you'll no doubt hear a sad story. We hear them every day – Goofy, Bugs Bunny, Fang. Some fun. There is real substance to such a child's social pain.

One study on childhood harassment found that misaligned or protruding teeth were the single most common target of name-calling among children. Further, children with orthodontic problems are more subject to bullying than their luckier peers.

We've all experienced the hostility of childhood epithets – it's part of growing up. But for some of us, the bad memories don't "go away." Early and persistent humiliation can become an adult's psychological baggage.

Part of our task at Montano Orthodontics is a social one. We know how a child with a problem bite feels. And we know that it's a preventable situation. We have the means to correct every "bad bite" out there – and with it, the social brutality so devastating to young self-esteem.

We want every child in our community to have the advantages of a normal, healthy countenance. Orthodontic evaluation is the first step. Call Montano Orthodontics for a consultation. The payback for your child lasts a lifetime.

Top Ten Tips for Improving Bad Breath -- Montano Orthodontics

Call it by its fancy name, “halitosis,” and it won’t smell any sweeter. Bad breath is frequently a sign that you’re not keeping up with your oral health. The source of this unpleasant odor is, in most cases, bacteria living on your teeth, gums or tongue. Follow these ten tips from Montano Orthodontics for a breath of fresh air:

1. Brush your choppers twice each day. Better yet, brush after every meal. If you eat lunch at work or school, keep an extra toothbrush there. Also, be sure to replace your toothbrush regularly. Every few months, swap your brush for a fresh one.

2. Reach between your teeth. Flossing daily helps you remove food particles from between your teeth, where your toothbrush just can’t reach. Flossing also helps keep your gums healthy, preventing periodontal disease, which can also lead to bad breath. If using regular floss is difficult for you, try one of the many interdental cleaners available at drugstores.

3. Pick up a water pick. Along with floss, a water pick reaches spots your toothbrush can’t, like under your tongue and into the back of your mouth.

4. Treat your tongue right. Bacteria can gather on the surface of your tongue, so use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean it every time you brush.

5. Tap your inner teenager and chew gum. The act of chewing (sugarless!) gum stimulates the production of saliva, which naturally washes away bacteria and food particles. If you suffer from a lack of saliva due to “dry mouth,” a condition sometimes caused by medication, let your dentist know; he or she can help address the problem.

6. Don’t fall for the myth of mouthwash. Most mouthwashes merely mask the smell of bad breath and don’t do anything to solve the underlying problem.

7. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink water regularly to keep your mouth moist, and go easy on alcohol and caffeine, both of which are dehydrating.

8. Turn off the tobacco. Smoking and chewing tobacco lead to bad breath. They also increase your risk of a host of serious health problems, from periodontal disease to cancer.

9. Take note of what you take in. Certain diets, foods and medications can affect your breath. If your problem doesn’t appear to be oral, make a list of the foods you eat and medications you take. Review it with your dentist or your family doctor to assess the source of the problem.

10. Call in the experts. It’s important to have your teeth professionally checked and cleaned twice a year. Your dentist can give your teeth a thorough cleaning that isn’t possible at home, as well as check for and treat early signs of problems such as cavities or periodontal disease. And for all your orthodontic needs, give us a call at Montano Orthodontics.

Dr. Montano Smile Cards Reward You For Smiling

We now have Dr. Montano SMILE CARDS, so that you can share your beautiful smile with your friends and family!

Each time you share your smile, you will be entered into a drawing to win a cool prize and receive 6 points towards a great gift from our prize cabinet.

The next drawing will be held on April 16th, 2009.

At Montano Orthodontics, we want to keep you smiling so come in before April 16th for a chance to win.

Give us a call today or send us a message on one of our social networks for more details.

Dr. Montano Brightens the World One Smile at a Time

Dr. Montano partnered with Ben Burris from Arkansas to create the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to provide orthodontic treatment to well deserving patients who couldn’t otherwise afford it.

Committed to doing 24 cases next year alone, Dr. Montano said, “We’ve been fortunate. We’ve done well. I want to give back to the right kids, who, I hope, will give back to their community.”

Charitable work is nothing new to Dr. Montano. He has been involved with numerous causes ranging from cystic fibrosis, Couples Against Cancer, and CSUB wrestling to working with the Kern River Foundation to secure more than 900 acres of property.

“We see it (the good) when the braces come off,” said Montano, “People get teary-eyed when they see the change. A smile and confidence is the best gift you can give anybody.”

Check out Smile For A Lifetime Foundation for more information.

For the full story, go to http://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/columnists/herb_benham/story/705154.html.

Montano Orthodontics Holds Conference for Dental Specialist

Montano Orthodontics held a conference in their office for Marcos Vargas, DDS. The presentation was attended by 27 local dentists. The presentation focused on the elements that allow cosmetic dentist practitioners to predictably obtain realistic restorations in daily practice.

This presentation is part of Dr. Montano’s continuing education and commitment to the community. By bringing Marcos Vargas to the community, he expanded the level of expertise for himself and other professionals in the area.

Vargas received his DDS in Lima, Peru. He attended a two year AEGD program at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York and received a Certificate in Operative Dentistry and Master’s of Science from the University of Iowa where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Dentistry.

Montano Orthodontics Patient Reviews

Montano Orthodontics provides superior orthodontic care for children and adult patients in the Bakersfield community. Just see what their patients have to say!Dr. Montano is very friendly and very knowledgeable. He answers all my questions thoroughly. I made the right choice when I picked Dr. Montano as my daughter's orthodontist.
-Megan A.

I can tell Dr. Montano really cares about the outcome of my treatment. He is always friendly, cooperative, and helpful. He has made a very difficult and trying time in my life much easier to manage. I don't feel like I am going through it by myself because he has been there with me each step of the way. Thanks Dr. Montano!
-Nicola H.

Dr. Montano and his staff are very nice and the office is very clean! I recommended my friend Stephanie; she got braces a few weeks ago! I will continue to send my friends and family to Dr. M!
-Felisha M.

Dr. Montano is very knowledgeable, he treats everyone with kindness and respect, and he has a very good reputation in our community.
-Katie C.

I like Dr. Montano because I didn't have to go through surgery, I get a prize for being on time at the end, and I get to play arcade games while I wait.
-Kaitlin B.

I like how Dr. Montano is a down-to-earth cool guy and I love how fast my smile is improving!!!!!!!!
-Stephanie O.

The office is very modern and professional, Dr. Montano is extremely friendly and his staff is excellent.
-Michael M.

Why Is It So Important to Have Straight Teeth? - Dr. Donald Montano, Your SureSmile Orthodontist

Some people wonder why we work so hard 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, give us a call at 661-665-7600 to set up a consultation. Dr. Montano can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.