8th Grader Madison Ives the Latest Recipient of Free Orthodontic Treatment with Smile For A Lifetime

A local girl who thought she'd have to wait years to get the smile she'd always wanted, was grinning from ear to ear Tuesday night. The "Smile for a Lifetime" program has presented the gift of free orthodontics to 28 deserving kids in our community and on Tuesday, 8th grader Madison Ives found out she's next.

It's safe to say Madison Ives smiles a lot. A friendly eighth grader and class treasurer, her teachers say she's well known and liked around campus. "Her smile is very engaging right now, but because her teeth are crooked, I know that sometimes she smiles with her mouth closed, and I know that she would love to always smile with her mouth open," said Madison's math teacher Ms. Rodriguez.

Ms. Rodriguez nominated Ives for "Smile for a Lifetime." "Smile for a Lifetime" is a foundation that provides free braces and orthodontic work to deserving kids.

"I was kind of surprised, I kind of knew, I was thinking it was for me, but I didn't want to get my hopes up or I didn't want to be selfish," said Ives. But those who know Ives, the youngest of seven kids, will tell you she's anything but selfish.

"I have to get a lot of work done since I'm a dwarf and I have a smaller mouth. I've really wanted them for a long time, just my parents don't have the money right now," said Ives.

The foundation is only a few years old, and Dr. Donald Montano in Bakersfield started volunteering his services last year. So far they've helped about 28 kids in our community. "She'll probably have the braces on within the month. She'll probably get an appointment next week and she's ready to go," said Dr. Montano.

Ives has become more confident over the past few years, but even now you can tell she still tries to hide her smile. But with a little help, she won't have to anymore. "That's amazing how, one person like me gets a lucky chance to have a beautiful smile," said Ives.

If you want to nominate a deserving kid for smile for a lifetime, head the Montano Orthodontics web site.

Celebrities get braces, too!

Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed the films Minority Report, Austin Powers Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. Even movie stars need to look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Montano. Check out a list of other celebrities who’ve benefited from orthodontic treatment here, courtesy of ABC News.

At Montano Orthodontics, we are working with a local celebrity to Bakersfield, radio personality Inga Barks. Check out the story of her sons’ experience at Montano Orthodontics that we posted a few months back! If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give us a call!

665-7600 or request an appointment at www.montanosmile.com

California State University Cuts 4 Sports Programs, and How It Affects Students

At Montano Orthodontics, we know that Bakersfield and the rest of California have been hit hard with budget crisis, and we've seen cuts everywhere, especially in education. At California State University Bakersfield, the athletics program is being hit especially hard, with four sports being cut by the end of the 2009-2010 season. Check out the full article in the latest issue of CSUB's The Runner. This is tough news to hear!

-Montano Orthodontics

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation and Ormco Partner to Provide Free Orthodontic Treatment to Underserved Kids in Need In Bakersfield CA

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation announced Tuesday it has signed an exclusive arrangement with Ormco Corp. to help deliver pro bono orthodontic treatment services to underprivileged children throughout the country.

Ormco, a leading manufacturer of innovative orthodontic appliances and supplies, will provide products free of charge to orthodontists affiliated with Smile for a Lifetime to treat underserved children. Smile for a Lifetime is a non-profit organization that works nationally with orthodontists to provide treatment scholarships to underprivileged children whose families would not otherwise be able to afford treatment.

"I'm thrilled to have such a well-respected company like Ormco understand the importance of giving," said David B. Carter, DMD, national president of Smile for a Lifetime. "They are giving back in so many ways: to the lives they will change by sponsoring this charitable foundation and to our profession by helping the public see us as not only health care providers, but also as health care givers. In this, and many other ways, Ormco continues to be a truly visionary company."

Ormco will donate a number of state-of-the-art appliances including the Damon® System, a combination of tie-less braces and high-tech memory archwires that help clinicians treat patients quickly and comfortably. Doctors also will have access to the Simpli5™ express aligner system through Ormco's AOA Orthodontic Laboratory, which manufacturers customized appliances.

In addition, Ormco manufactures Insignia™ advance smile design, a combination of 3-D digital treatment planning software and custom-designed brackets and wires tailored to a patient's specific dental anatomy.

With average treatment fees ranging from $5,000 or more, orthodontia can be financially challenging for many parents. Smile for a Lifetime helps build self-confidence, inspire hope and change the lives of children by providing scholarships for orthodontic treatment in communities around the country. Each year, Smile for a Lifetime reviews hundreds of applicants before selecting those who will receive treatment based on financial need, letters of recommendation, community involvement and special circumstances. To date, the organization has provided more than $2 million in orthodontic care for individuals who cannot afford treatment and may not have other opportunities to acquire assistance.

"Orthodontists affiliated with the foundation donate their services, while this new arrangement with Ormco ensures that the appliances they use will be available without any out-of-pocket expenses," said Dr. Carter.

"Ormco is a recognized leader in orthodontic supplies, ingenuity and education," said Dr. Donald Montano, a long-time Smile for a Lifetime provider and chapter leader in California. "I have been a long-time user of Ormco products and am very pleased to have their support. While I'm happy for their support, I'm also not surprised. It's what great companies do!"

"We are so proud to support the exceptional work that Smile for a Lifetime and their affiliated orthodontists around the country are doing to change the lives of children," said Ken Konopa, Ormco president. "A beautiful smile can literally transform the life of an individual, giving them the confidence they need to pursue their dreams. This isn't just about straightening teeth; it's about giving underserved children a chance at a happier, more successful future."

About Ormco

Celebrating 50 years of providing innovative products and services, Ormco helps orthodontists deliver exceptional clinical results in the least amount of time and with the greatest patient comfort. The company is a subsidiary of Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., a leading manufacturer of a broad range of value-added products for the dental profession, including the specialty markets of orthodontics, endodontics and implantology, and a variety of infection prevention products for use by the medical profession. For more information, visit www.ormco.com.

About Smile for a Lifetime

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization that provides orthodontic care to individuals who may not have the opportunity to acquire assistance. Launched in 2008, Smile for a Lifetime Foundation aims to reach individuals with financial challenges, special situations, and orthodontic needs. The Foundation sponsors the orthodontic care of hundreds of patients each year. For more information, visit www.S4L.org.

A Heartfelt Patient Appreciation Letter for Montano Orthodontics

At Montano Orthodontics, we love to make an impact in a patient's life, whether it is a new smile, renewed self confidence, or just a healthier bite! When we receive feedback from patients like the Kukula family, it makes all our work worthwhile! Be sure to check out the letter, included below:



At times it has felt like Dr. Montano’s office has been a home away from home. I have entrusted him and his staff with not only the care of my smile, but that of my whole family! We are a walking billboard for Dr. Montano’s great work.

Returning to Dr. Montano for each family member has been an easy choice. He and his staff are very friendly and make it a top priority to give thorough explanations of the treatment needed. Just like each member of my family is different, so was each of our treatment plans. Dr. Montano customized our treatment based on our individual needs.

Choosing Dr. Montano and his staff to care for my family was a “painless” decision, both literally and figuratively. I am happy to say we are all very pleased with our fantastic results!

Sincerely,

George, Jan, Geoff & Lauren Kukula

SureSmile – Robotic Braces Featured on the Science Channel

SureSmile’s high tech wires and innovative 3D scanner were featured on the Science Channel last year, and we have found the video on YouTube! The video does a great job of explaining how the system works, and what makes it so much more effective than traditional orthodontic treatment. Check it out, and let us know what you think!

--Montano Orthodontics

Photos from the 2010 SureSmile Conference

Earlier this month Dr. Montano and the clinical team at Montano Orthodontics attended the 2010 SureSmile Conference in Grapevine, Texas. While there, Dr. Montano gave a presentation about SureSmile to other orthodontists, the picture of which is displayed above. We have plenty of fun photos that we just posted on Facebook as well, including a sequence of shots of Dr. Montano riding a mechanical bull at the conference for 22 seconds!

Check them out and let us know what you think!