Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

When you have braces, your wires will need to be replaced with new ones regularly. It is the slow, steady pressure placed on your teeth that move them into their desired positions, so these adjustments are a vital aspect of your treatment. We have set out a specific treatment plan to achieve your optimal results, and keeping up with your appointments will allow your treatment to be completed in the predicted amount of time.

Scheduling your adjustments sooner than planned may result in more pain and discomfort, because your teeth haven’t been allowed to settle into their new positions properly. Skipping appointments or scheduling them farther apart will result in a much longer treatment time. Visiting our office regularly will also allow us to answer any questions you may have, check for damaged appliances, and monitor your progress.

If you recently completed treatment at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Drs. Leone & Vaughn will provide—or have provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Leone & Vaughn is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until Drs. Leone or Vaughn instruct otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics if you have any questions!

At Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, we are known for providing exceptional treatment, excellent customer service, and amazing smiles! Our patients are the focus of everything we do, and it is our goal to create smiles that exceed their expectations.

Whether you’ve just come in for a complimentary consultation with Drs. Leone or Vaughn or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback on our Google Places page. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page, or here on our blog!

Thank you!

Braces aren’t just for kids anymore! Regardless of your age, if you’ve always wanted to smile with confidence, but knowing that your teeth were less than perfect held you back, getting braces might be the solution you’ve been looking for. A straight smile can do so much for your self-esteem, and at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, we want to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits of orthodontic treatment, there are many health benefits as well. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean and function more optimally when it comes to eating and speaking.

If you recognize any of these signs in your child or yourself, it might be time to schedule a consultation with Drs. Leone & Vaughn.

· Early or late loss of baby teeth
· Difficulty chewing or biting
· Mouth breathing
· Sucking the thumb or fingers, or other oral habits
· Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
· Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude, or are recessed
· Speech difficulty
· Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
· Protruding teeth, teeth that meet in an abnormal way, or teeth that don’t meet at all
· Grinding or clenching of teeth
· Inability to comfortably close lips

Drs. Leone & Vaughn will be able to assess your orthodontic needs during your appointment and explain all the wonderful benefits you can expect to receive during your time in braces. We look forward to seeing you or your child for a complimentary consultation!

We can't believe it's almost February! Each February for the past 62 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Both Drs. Leone and Vaughn are available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited our Madison Park or Queen Anne office lately? Give us a call and schedule an appointment!

The fact is, most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And that’s where our team at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics can help. Of course, orthodontic treatment help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But did you know you can get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces?

Our team at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at our office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you in for a visit. Please give us a call to set one up! A complimentary consultation at our Madison Park or Queen Anne office can determine if Invisalign is right for you. See you soon!

At Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, we know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s complimentary orthodontic consultation at our Queen Anne or Madison Park office. See you soon!

At Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, we are known for providing exceptional treatment, excellent customer service, and amazing smiles!

And speaking of smiling, in a poll conducted by Glamour Magazine earlier this year, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?”

Well, 44 percent of folks out there chose teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of one’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Serving Seattle and Bellevue, Drs. Gregory Vaughn and Paola Leone are your orthodontic specialists, offering Invisalign and braces for children, teens, and adults. Contact our Queen Anne or Madison Park office to schedule your complimentary consultation! See you soon!

With fall sports close to wrapping up and winter sports right around the corner, many patients here at Dr. Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the cleats out of seasonal retirement and hit the fields for the return of sports action! During this time, however, Drs. Leone and Vaughn urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this fall and winter, courtesy of our friends at the Canadian Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as basketball, wrestling and hockey
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Drs. Leone and Vaughn will both tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our Queen Anne or Madison Park office or ask us on Facebook. Stay safe!

Our team at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics is known for providing exceptional treatment, excellent customer service, and amazing smiles! Drs. Gregory Vaughn and Paola Leone pride themselves on creating individualized treatment plans for each patient, using only the most effective and efficient treatment options available.

Just check out what our patients are saying about Dr. Vaughn, Dr. Leone and our orthodontic team!

"This is the most AMAZING office. Drs. Leone and Vaughn (husband and wife) as well as their staff have exceeded my expectations on so many levels. Every time I come into the office I am greeted and welcomed like a friend. I really appreciate that!. Dr. Vaughn and Dr. Leone take the time at each of my visits to explain to me my progress as well as what's to come. I always feel like I have their undivided attention. The offices are beautiful and high tech,even free wifi. I have only had my braces on for 6 months, but they look beautiful. I can't say enough about what an amazing office this is. If you are looking for exceptional care, look no further because you have found the place to be." - Tim

"My experience at Leone & Vaughn was life-changing. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with them. At 24 years of age I decided to get braces - I found that I wasn't smiling in photos and I was embarrassed of my teeth. I consulted with about 3 different orthodontists in the Seattle area and decided to go with L&V - I liked how comfortable and approachable both Dr. Leone and Dr. Vaughn were, the professionalism of their office, and the wide range of services and solutions offered. They are technology early-adopters which I think makes them stand apart from older offices ... The before and after pictures are incredible - I have such a great smile now and am not afraid to show it off. It's made me a happier and more self-confident person and was worth every penny. If you're looking for a great orthodontist, look no further than Leone & Vaughn. They're amazing!" - Alicia

"My experience with Leone & Vaughn was amazing. I was not sure about getting my teeth straightened, not only did they make it easy for me they worked well with my insurance and allowed me to make payments. Super professional, never kept me waiting, and flexible with my crazy schedule. I would HIGHLY recommend their services to anyone!" - Sky

Thanks to everyone who continues to write in - Your Testimonials Matter! Our biggest smile comes when our patients refer us to their family and friends. Your positive experiences shared with others is the best way to pass it forward.

If you are Google, Yelp, or CitySearch users, we would greatly appreciate you sharing your experiences there to help us increase our local "word of mouth."

Thank You!

At Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics we make every effort to serve Seattle, Bellevue and surrounding areas with the very best orthodontic treatment. Our doctors and team are committed to providing outstanding care and dedication to every patient. We highly value your decision to become a part of our orthodontic family. There are many things that help Drs. Gregory Vaughn and Paola Leone consistently achieve great results. Some of them are:

1. Using the most up to date and proven technologies available, including Invisalign , SureSmile® and In-Ovation®.

2. Spending time and resources on continuing education to stay current and relevant

3. Training our entire team on new techniques

4. Educating our patients about the pursuit of excellence

If you or a family member has been thinking about orthodontic treatment, please give us a call at our Queen Anne or Madison Park office. We look forward to seeing you!

“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 orthodontists Drs. Gregory Vaughn and Paola Leone started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your general dentist. After dental school however, Drs. Leone and Vaughn decided they wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So they stayed in school for a few more years and became experts 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 are dental experts here at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Drs. Gregory Vaughn and Paola Leone want to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your treatment? If the answer is yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

It's the perfect time for a visit to the dentist. Why? Because not only is October National Orthodontic Health Month, it's also National Dental Hygiene Month!

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in Seattle, Bellevue or surrounding areas!

For our team at Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, it’s hard to believe October is already upon us! October marks National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

We know there are many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through treatment at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time with Drs. Leone or Vaughn. The AAO recommends our patients avoid the following Halloween treats:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Ice

If you damage your braces, please give us a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved by giving us a call. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until you are able to come into our Madison Park or Queen Anne office.

Great question! Besides here on the Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics website, which provides you with a plethora of information about all things braces and Invisalign, we would like to point you to a helpful website: Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, have provided lots of important information about everything braces, including myths and facts of orthodontics, tips for a better orthodontic experience and cool webisodes about orthodontics.

We encourage you to check out AAO today and feel free to contact us if you have any questions here on our blog or on our Facebook page.

Hope this helps! Enjoy your weekend!

The Team at Leone & Vaughn Orhodontics

At Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics, we know your smile is important. And we know you want to keep it sparkling and looking its very best. Recently, we came across an article that suggests at least 20 things can ruin that perfect smile you have.

These include:

- Sports drinks
- Tobacco
- Coffee
- Wine
- Soft drinks
- Citrus and acidic foods

Drs. Gregory Vaughn and Paola Leone encourage you to read the rest of the article and ask us here on our blog or during your next visit to our Queen Anne or Madison Park office. For more tips or for general questions about your ongoing dental treatment, we invite you to ask Drs. Leone or Vaughn during your next visit! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!

These days, Americans everywhere are putting greater emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement, and more people are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. September happens to be Self-Improvement Month, and our team at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics know that orthodontic treatment is an investment in self-improvement that will reap benefits for a lifetime. And, recent advances in orthodontia, such as Invisalign and more effective brackets and wires, now make orthodontic treatment more palatable for many interested in obtaining that beautiful smile.

Not only does orthodontic treatment give you that beautiful smile, it can also benefit your dental and general health. If teeth are poorly aligned, removing plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing alone may be difficult. A poor bite may result in fractured or excessively worn tooth surfaces, and the extra stress caused by a poor bite may even result in problems with your jaw joints.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, contact our Queen Anne or Madison Park office to schedule your complimentary consultation today! We hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better time for Drs. Leone and Vaughn to ask our patients about their summer!

Whether you visited our nation’s capital, went on a camping trip or just stayed in Seattle and hung out with friends, we want to know how you’re all spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page as the summer comes to an end soon for a lot of our
patients at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics!

We look forward to reading all about your adventures!