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Welcome to our newest staff member–Andrea Ruud!

New Year...New team member!

We are SO excited to introduce to you Andrea Ruud!

Andrea hails from Huntington Beach, and has been an
Orthodontic Assistant for 15 years! She loves working with
patients, and learning new advancements in the orthodontic
world! Andrea resides in Orange, with her husband, Travis, and
their 2 young daughters, Payton and Kingsley.  In her free time,
Andrea loves staying active--running, hiking, yoga, and playing
with her kiddos!

Andrea will be joining Staphy and Jacqueline in the treatment
bay as a chairside assistant, ensuring our patients' treatments
move along efficiently and comfortably. You will find her to be
warm, welcoming, and great at what she does!

 

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT!- Introducing Dian Lovitt!

This week, we introduce to you the fabulous Mrs.  Dian Lovitt– our incredible Financial and Treatment Coordinator!!

How long have you been working at Manfred Orthodontics/in the Orthodontic field?

I have been working at Manfred Orthodontics for 4.5 years, and I have worked in the Orthodontic field for 34 years!!

What is your favorite thing about Summer?

The sounds

Which TV Show is always on your lineup?

Forged in Fire

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

BBQ Ribs

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be?

Ireland

What is something that most people that do not know about you?

If I told, they would know! 🙂

What 3 things are most important to you in your life?

1) My Faith…2) My Family…3) Honesty

What do you love about working in Orthodontics?

The ladies I work with are awesome.  I get to meet all different kinds of people. It’s fun seeing the difference in smiles and the confidence!

We love you Dian! Thank you for all you do!

 

 

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT!- Introducing Staphany Avila!

This week, we introduce to you the fabulous Mrs.  Staphany Avila– registered dental assistant extraordinaire!

How long have you been working at Manfred Orthodontics/in the Orthodontic field?

I have been working at Manfred Orthodontics for 4 years, and in the orthodontic field for 5 years.

What is your favorite thing about Summer?

The fair!!

Which TV Show is always on your lineup?

Jane the Virgin

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Spicy Food and Mexican food! 🙂

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be?

Paris, France

What is something that most people that do not know about you?

I was an intern for Dr. Harris while in school, and was then hired as an insurance coordinator!  I got my RDA license before Dr. Manfred bought the practice and have been in the back office ever since!

What 3 things are most important to you in your life?

1) Family…2) Work (I love what I do!)…3) Small getaways to refresh!

What do you love about working in Orthodontics?

I just love working in orthodontics where people are wanting a chance and to better themselves.  I am so honored to be a part of their journey and help (with Dr.’s treatment plan) them achieve it.  It is such a fulfilling experience AND we have fun!!

We love you Staphy!

 

 

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT!- Introducing Jacqueline Alexander!

This week, we introduce to you the fabulous Mrs. Jacqueline Alexander–orthodontic assisting ninja and fan favorite!

How long have you been working at Manfred Orthodontics/in the Orthodontic field?

I have been working at Manfred Orthodontics 1.5 years.  Although, I have been working as a Registered Dental Assistant in the orthodontic field for 15 years total! Fun fact: I have been working with Dr. Manfred since she graduated from school long ago!

What is your favorite thing about Summer?

I love BBQ’ing and the pool!

Which TV Show is always on your lineup?

Where do I start?…Grey’s Anatomy, The Bachelor…

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Cheese

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be?

I would love to go to Italy or Japan!

What is something that most people that do not know about you?

I went to stunt school!

What 3 things are most important to you in your life?

1.) My kids and family… 2)My work….3) Boston sports! 🙂

What do you love about working in Orthodontics?

Literally everything! The patients, the happy environment, the hands-on work, and making people happy every day.

We love you Jac!!! 🙂

 

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT!- Introducing Penny Sutherland!

This summer, we will be spotlighting each one of our incredible staff members! This week, we introduce to you Ms. Penny Sutherland–scheduling coordinator extraordinaire and everyone’s favorite smiling face!

How long have you been working at Manfred Orthodontics/in the Orthodontic field?

I have been working at Manfred Orthodontics for a little over 4 years now.  Although, I have been in this office for the 13 years prior to that–when it was owned by Dr. Bruce Harris. So a total of 17 years!

What is your favorite thing about Summer?

I love the warmth, the beach, the pool, and all the activities to enjoy.

Which TV Show is always on your lineup?

Grey’s Anatomy…binge!

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

That’s tough–I love everything…Veggies are my favorite!

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be?

I would love to go to Greece, Italy, and the Maldives!

What is something that most people that do not know about you?

I did accounting for 18 years prior to orthodontics!

What 3 things are most important to you in your life?

1.) My girls and my grandson! 2)Laughing and enjoying life. 3) God

What do you love about working in Orthodontics?

I love Dr. Manfred! My co-workers are amazing and my friends. I enjoy my patients and their parents…seeing the kids grow into adults.

 

We love you Penny!!! 🙂

 

 

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At What Age Do Baby Teeth Fall Out?

Many parents worry that their child’s teeth are not falling out on time. At what age should the first baby tooth be lost? When should the last one fall out? Is there a predictable order?

The first baby teeth (also known as primary teeth) to come in are usually the lower central incisors around the age of six months. The last baby teeth to show up are the upper second molars, and they appear between 2 and a half to 3 years of age. There are normally 20 baby teeth by the time a child reaches age 3. These primary teeth then remain unchanged for about three years.

Not much happens to the baby teeth between 3 and 6 years of age. Between 6 and 8 years however, there is a flurry of activity as kids normally lose eight primary teeth in rapid succession. Between age 8 and age 10 there is another two-year pause that catches many parents by surprise since they have become accustomed to teeth being lost left and right. The last twelve primary teeth are then lost between ages 10 and 13. The following chart summarizes primary tooth loss:

Ages 3-6: Not much happens
Ages 6-8: First eight baby teeth lost
Ages 8-10: Not much happens
Ages 10-13: Last twelve baby teeth lost

Although there are always exceptions, there is a basic sequence for the loss of the baby teeth. In summary, here is the order in which baby teeth are normally lost:

Age 6: Lower and upper central incisors
Age 7: Lower and upper lateral incisors
Age 10: Lower canines and upper first molars
Age 11: Lower first molars
Age 12: Upper and lower second molars and upper canines

These are merely averages however. Some kids lose teeth faster than this. Others lose them slower. It is not unusual to see a 10-year-old with no baby teeth remaining, nor is it surprising to see a 14-year-old still hanging on to a few. The actual ages are not as important as the pattern.

If baby teeth are not lost in the right order, or if a tooth is lost and more than 3-6 months go by without a permanent replacement coming in, there may a problem. Some possibilities include missing teeth, crowding, problems with the tooth loss mechanism, or the underlying tooth is just crooked and it is not pushing out the one above it. These are all conditions that Dr. Manfred will look for during your child’s orthodontic evaluation.