Weller Orthodontic Practice Blog

2009-12-16T14:28:00.000-08:00

We here at Weller Orthodontics want to say....

Happy Holidays

Candy Buy Back

2009-11-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

This year was a success. With the help from many people from the community we had boxes and boxes over-flowing with candy. There was a total of 250 pounds brought in and we can't imagine how many teeth we have saved with these contributions.

Operation Smile

2009-11-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

During this time of Thanksgiving, we try to think of others, especially those less fortunate. This year we got the opportunity to donate over 500 dollars to Operation Smile, which helped contribute to at least two operations for a cleft palate or lip and other facial deformities.

Operation Smile is an organization that specializes in cleft lip/palate and other facial deformity surgeries. They provide these procedures all over the world for those who, under normal circumstances, would not be able to afford these procedures.

For more information visit: http://www.operationsmile.org/

Clear Braces on Celebrities

2009-10-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

This week a front page of The News Tribune caught my eye. The headline announced a local NFL player returning to play after recovering from an injury. The accompanying photo of the star was zoomed in enough to reveal he was wearing a full set of clear ceramic braces. The photograph was of Marcus Trufant of the Seahawks, a product of Tacoma's own Wilson High School. Did you even know that he was wearing braces? Probably not, until I pointed it out.

To see an NFL star wearing braces means to me that we have a come a long way in what is socially acceptable. We can presume that on a fat NFL salary, he can afford a dream home, drive a luxury car and still easily afford the best in orthodontic treatment. In a age when Tiger Woods can have a same-day Lasic procedure to improve his game, surely a NFL player must be able to find an instant alternative to wearing braces to achieve a great smile. But, just as the skills and abilities to play at the highest level of football don't come overnight, the most conservative orthodontic treatment and most natural resulting smile often takes patience and discipline to achieve. Marcus Trufant doesn't worry about how his braces look like at the next party or if he's perceived as less intimidating to his opponents. His eye is on the prize - the prize that someday in the future his braces will come off to reveal a dazzling "Superbowl-worthy" smile.

Especially for adult patients who need to avoid the "tin-grin," our practice offers clear ceramic braces. These are made from tooth matching porcelain. In a recently published study, the brackets I use were rated as the most esthetic ceramic bracket of all self-ligating brackets. This means that people will remember you for your personality and not for your braces. To see what is possible for your smile call (253) 565-0330.

Dr. Weller Look-Alike Quiz

2009-07-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

Which celebrity does Dr. Weller look most alike?

Dr. Weller

A. Nicholas Cage B. Noah Whylie
C. Bill Nye

D. Shia LaBeouf

Respond By Email: info@wellerortho.com

A Mothers Day Tribute

2009-05-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

Move over Soccer Moms - here come Braces Moms

Mothers are very special people who would do anything for their children. We see so many mothers in our office who sacrifice to make it so their child’s smile can as beautiful as it can be. They take time off work or out of their busy days to bring their kids to orthodontic appointments. Sometimes it takes several years for their child to appreciate the results! Well, this weekend is about honoring those moms! We are grateful to you!

Moms work so hard taking care of their families, that we see it as a little something special when a mom takes some time out for herself. We have several patients who are moms themselves. These special women knew that it was important to take care of their child’s teeth AND that they deserved a beautiful smile too!

Moms -- You deserve to smile!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Dr. Weller's family welcomes a new daughter!!

2009-05-09T07:03:00.001-07:00

In April, Dr. Weller and his family traveled to China to complete the adoption of a baby girl. Her name is Evelyn and is 18 months old. She has adjusted very well to her new country and family. The whole family is thrilled to have her home. Her older brothers and sister all agree that she is "the best!"

Month of LOVE, A few of our Valentines!

2009-02-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

Dr. David Cho and Jamie D are great fun! These love birds can be a little competitive, if anyone is looking for competition these two could be your match. They really do look this happy all the time.

Love your SMILE

2009-02-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

Recognize someone? Yep that's our Denise, our friendly receptionist who greets you at each visit, along with husband Greg. Greg had his braces removed just a few days before Valentine's Day this year. Great smiles for great people!

Here's to another 35 years!!!!

2009-02-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

Phil and Miho D started treatment together after over 30 years of marriage! "Phil says he wished he'd done it years ago!". We say "we're glad he waited!". Miho says "she loves his smile and is jealous!". Miho isn't too far away from debanding. Hang in there! What a great couple to have on our blog.

Couple#4

Sorry no photo available :( , but this couple has a great love story. Yumi and Tim B are also in braces treatment together. These two started their relationship sitting right next to each other at the library and got to know one another via e-mail! Now they're married and in braces together! :)

Smile of the Month

2008-09-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

Our goal is to make every smile the best it can become. However, there are those patients whose transformation is especially remarkable and even life changing. Such is the case of Chris. Originally from Florida, Chris moved here while serving in the Army. Never having had the chance of having braces during his youth, he finally was in one place long enough to receive orthodontic treatment.

Before

After Orthodontia

Just after the braces came off, his family dentist repaired two small chips with some cosmetic bonding. Now he's like a giddy little kid that can't stop smiling. On the day we completed his treatment not one of the our team members escaped a great big bear hug. We all feel priviledged to participate in his transformation.

Gold Medal Smiles

2008-09-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

Many of us tuned in last month to watch the world gather in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. American athletes thrilled us with record breaking swims, nail-biting gymnastics routines, and clutch beach volleyball matches. But on the track, it was all Jamaica. Jamaica has the current claim of both the world’s fastest man and the world’s fastest woman.

Shelly-Ann Fraser won the womens 100 meter dash with a time of 10.78 seconds. As you can imagine, she crossed the finish line jumping for joy with an ecstatic ear-to-ear smile – a smile that was also sporting a full set of braces!

Some people have the impression that braces are only for kids or carries a juvenile stigma. The truth is that braces are so common place among children and adults, that most people don’t bat an eye when an adult wears them. In a job interview or asking someone out on a date, it’s like any accessory like earrings, or a watch. It signals that you are confident, that you take care of yourself, and want to express yourself in the best light .

Shelly proves that wearing braces doesn’t hold you back. It obviously didn’t slow her down. Recent track and field scandals make the question arise whether she used any performance enhancers. If you ask me, yes, she did.