Braces 101, With Wu Orthodontics

If you live in the Palo Alto community, and you have sustained any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.Give Wu Orthodontics a call at 650-646-3999 if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule an appointment.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.


Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

--Dr. Eric Wu, your Palo Alto Community Orthodontist

The Myths and Facts of Orthodontics, From Wu Orthodontics

There are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around. Before you buy into those myths, you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontists, check them out today!

Hope this helps,

--Dr Eric Wu

Summer Fun with Wu Orthodontics!

Its summer here at Wu Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

--From Wu Orthodontics

What Do You Think of Wu Orthodontics? We Want to Hear!

We at Wu Orthodontics have come to appreciate your interactions with us online, whether it is on MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, or this blog. This week we wanted to share with you a great review about Wu Orthodontics, and encourage you to take a few moments to write a review too!

As an adult getting braces, I wanted to make sure I chose the right orthodontist. I did extensive research and met with six orthodontists and I must say: Dr. Wu stood out from the pack. He was very professional, easy going, kind, patient and thorough. I asked a lot of questions and he answered each and every one of them to my satisfaction. After our initial consultation, I still had more questions and he made the time to talk with me some more. We had great rapport and I felt really comfortable with Dr. Wu.

I was impressed that Dr. Wu uses the damon system. Not all orthodontist are up to speed on the latest technologies so I was glad Dr. Wu uses it and recommended it. He explained all the options to me and made sure I knew exactly what was involved. I like being informed and able to make smart decisions about my treatment.

I started my treatment right away but my travel/work schedule made it difficult to schedule appointments. Dr. Wu’s office was very accommodating and made every effort to schedule (and reschedule) my appointments as needed.

Dr. Wu’s prices are very fair; you get what you pay for and I wouldn’t have mind paying more for the excellent customer service and professional care that I’ve received from Wu Orthodontics.

I am extremely pleased with the results. :) I smile more, feel more confident and get compliments on my teeth/smile all the time! Thank you, Dr. Wu!

This week, why not write a review about your experiences at Wu Orthodontics too?

What’s so special about an Orthodontist? Dr. Wu Explains

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Wu started out in dental school at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school, and practicing as a dentist, Dr. Wu decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years completing his orthodontic residency (University of Pittsburgh) and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

--Dr. Eric Wu

Summer 09 Pre-Dental Intern: Sandra Lee

We at WU Orthodontics were so lucky to have Sandra working with us this summer. She was our summer intern, and was able to work with Dr. Wu and the patients for several months. The patients loved her so much and she helped make their visits pleasant and enjoyable.



Sandra has been a great intern, and here is what she had to say about her time with us:

For the past three years, I have been taking pre-health courses along with my mathematics major at Bryn Mawr College, which happens to be twenty minutes away from University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Eric Wu received his Dental Medicine Degree. Though I was fulfilling the pre-requisites for dentistry, I had never immersed myself inside the flow of dental work aside from regular dental check ups and my past braces experience.

Dr. Wu and the rest of the team at Wu Orthodontics wish her the best of luck! If you had a chance to meet Sandra during her time with us, be sure to leave a comment to congratulate and wish her well.

San Francisco Food Bank Thanks Wu Ortho

The Wu Orthodontics team received great thanks from Paul Ash, the executive director of San Francisco Food Bank for their time and efforts in packaging food supply for the hungry.

On behalf of the San Francisco Food Bank, I want to thank you for the time and effort you recently spent helping end hunger in San Francisco.

In the year ending June 30, we distributed 33.5 million pounds of food to 132,000 people in need - and volunteers like you are absolutely vital to achieving that goal. The work done each year by you and more than 15,000 other Food Bank volunteers - sorting food donations, gleaning fresh produce, assembling grocery boxes, and repacking bulk food items - is the equal of 38 permanent full-time employees.

Simply put, we could never serve so many people without the help of volunteers like you.

And volunteering is just one way you and your friends or family can stay involved. Whether it's by making an online gift or keeping abreast of hunger-related issues in our community by joining out advocacy network, the Food Bank and the hundreds of programs it supplies depend on your continued support and involvement. Once more, thank you - and we hope to see you again!

Sincerely,

Paul Ash
Executive Director