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It’s no easy feat to have one of the best smiles in Hollywood. The reality TV starlet Kristin Cavallari attributes her gorgeous smile to routine oral hygiene, the removal of two impacted wisdom teeth, and having undergone orthodontic treatment. Kristin’s treatment began in sixth grade when she was fitted with a device Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo and our team call a palatal expander, which is used to guide upper jaw growth in our younger patients.

What is a palatal expander?

A palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by applying gentle pressure on your upper molars, and is used to make the bottom and upper teeth fit together better. In addition, palatal expanders work to create more room for teeth, as well as promote a broader, more appealing smile.

Do palatal expanders hurt?

Palatal expanders are usually not painful, however you may experience difficulty speaking and swallowing for the first few days. Adjusting your palatal expander as instructed by Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo will ensure there are no delays in regards to your treatment plan.

Typically, it takes a few weeks to achieve the desired amount of expansion, after which you will keep wearing your expander for about six months, giving time for the new bone to form and stabilize. Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo and our team at Kubo Orthodontic Group will give you detailed instructions about how to adjust your appliance and can answer any questions you may have about your palatal expander.

If you have any questions about your palatal expander or your treatment plan with Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo, please give us a call at our Fresno, CA office!

“The purpose of all war is peace.” - Saint Augustine

Fire truck sirens, baton twirlers, marching bands covering patriotic tunes, colorful floats, costumes, and millions of red, white, and blue American flags being waved in the air on a beautiful day in late May, that is what Memorial Day is all about. It is a federal holiday celebrated with town parades, remembrance, and a sense of unity and community togetherness.

Our team at Kubo Orthodontic Group wants to take this time to wish you and your family a happy Memorial Day, as well as pause for a moment to reflect on what this holiday means and how it has changed over time. No, this is not a history lesson, but just a couple of thoughts and observances for you to take with you on your way to the next barbecue.

On the last Monday in May, America observes Memorial Day as a time to remember and celebrate the men and women who have lost their lives while serving our country in the Armed Forces. The holiday originated after the Civil War; at that time it was known as Decoration Day. While holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter remain the same from year to year, Memorial Day has changed over time, and in the 21st century we observe a far different holiday than what Americans did after the Civil War, or even the World Wars.

While many people place flags at cemeteries and visit national memorials in order to honor those who have passed away serving the country, Memorial Day is also a time for family barbecues, pool parties, trips to the beach, blockbuster movies, long weekend getaways, and fireworks. In America, Memorial Day has come to represent the unofficial start of the summer – a long, sunny, warm weekend devoted to family togetherness, outdoor events, and community.

It is time to load up the potato salad and the apple pie and head over to the neighbor’s house for their annual barbecue. And yes, contrary to popular belief, we do eat sweets, especially homemade apple pie! Everything in moderation, of course.

So whether you’re in the Fresno, CA area or beyond, Happy Memorial Day to you and yours from Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo!

We've already had lots of really great entries into our Kubo Orthodontics Mother's/Father's Day contest! Read some below and don't forget to enter too!

"My dad deserves to win because he is the radest dude alive.  He builds race cars for a living and is the hardest working.  This is why my dad deserves to win because he is super rad. ~Cody C.

"My mom is the mother of 5 including myself. All my older siblings as a result of her parenting have graduated high school and have gone to college.  My mom also happens to be a grandmother. She recently went through chemo therapy because she had breast cancer. Although unfortunate, my mom successfully got through and won her fight against cancer. I couldn't ask for a better mom!" ~Gabriel M.

"They are nice and they do my hair. They make me lunch, breakfast, and dinner. They take me to gymnastics." ~Ella B.

"My dad works in Sacramento during the week, comes home Friday nights, then leaves early Monday mornings. The weekends are the only real time the two of them have together. They could definitely use a nice date night as a change from the norm." ~Natalie S.

"My mom and dad deserve to win the prize. My mom and dad have been there for me throughout my life to help with decisions and problems. When I'm sad my mom talks to me, making me feel better. My dad always helps with homework and any other problems. They will always be there beside me. We should all cherish and respect our parents, because I love them." ~Kira H.

"My dad was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1947. He later retired and became a dad. He says the greatest day in his life was when he had me. He is a great and loving dad. I love both of my parents very much!" ~Ashton D.

The dental procedures that focus on the correction of alignment and bite are known as orthodontic care. With the aid of braces, aligners, retainers, brackets, and similar appliances, orthodontic treatment can correct oral disorders such as protruding teeth, crowding, difficulty biting or chewing, and speech issues. Seeking orthodontic treatment at Kubo Orthodontic Group can drastically improve your oral appearance, comfort, and health, while also encouraging proper oral hygiene and enhanced self-esteem. Both growing children and adults with oral alignment issues can benefit greatly from completing customized orthodontic treatment with Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo.

Due to the uniqueness of each mouth and the severity of each malocclusion disorder, there is no one set timeframe for orthodontic treatment. The length of your treatment is determined by many factors, including the severity of your alignment issue, your age, the health of your teeth, and the specific orthodontic procedure you need to undergo. Nevertheless, typical treatment usually takes between 12 and 36 months.

Avoiding alignment issues

While some alignment issues are brought on by unavoidable matters such as accidents, genetics, and physical disorders, some issues arise out of certain actions you should not be doing. Finger sucking and improper oral hygiene are the two most common self-inflicted reasons for alignment issues. Constant finger sucking can alter the pattern in which your teeth grow, which in turn may cause bite issues. Improper oral hygiene such as infrequent dental visits and improper brushing and flossing can lead to decay and loss of teeth, which will interfere with the bite in your mouth.

To avoid advanced alignment issues, it is important to establish a relationship with a quality dentist when you’re young and seek orthodontic treatment at the first sign of alignment problems to encourage healthy and straight teeth for a lifetime.

For more information about orthodontic treatment, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo, please give us a call at our convenient Fresno, CA office!