Complimentary Consultations at Buena Vista Orthodontics

At Buena Vista Orthodontics, we have a passion for excellence and are committed to achieving your orthodontic goals. Beautiful smiles, facial esthetics, a comfortable bite and long term dental health are some of the many benefits of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Merilynn Yamada combines her education at UCLA & UCSF with over 20 years of experience to give our patients something to smile about.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Drs. Yamada and Abbink, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give our Burbank, CA office a call at (818) 846-3774.

See you soon!

- The team at BVO

What are patients saying about Dr. Yamada and Buena Vista Orthodontics?

Once in a while, our staff at Buena Vista Orthodontics get patient reviews that make us really proud to do the work we do ever day: creating beautiful smiles for our patients in Burbank and surrounding communities. Check out what a few of our patients are saying!

"They made us feel comfortable from the moment we walked in." ~ Brittany G.

"Dr. Yamada is very friendly, thoroughly explains procedures, etc ... made what could have been an overwhelming experience great!" ~ Aysia R.

"Well recommended." ~ Shayna K.

"Daughter went to Dr. Yamada (finished 9 yrs. ago). The care hasn't changed. Very friendly staff. Easy to talk to and always with a smile!" ~ Michael N.

Season's greetings from Buena Vista Orthodontics!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at Buena Vista Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our great patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us here, or on our Facebook page, all the things you love about this time of year.

Happy Holidays from Drs. Yamada & Abbink and our entire staff!

What puts you at ease at Buena Vista Orthodontics?

Dr. Yamada and our team understand not everyone is always thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But here at Buena Vista Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit at our Burbank office. Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you or your child at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our courteous staff? Perhaps it's something about Drs. Yamada or Abbink?

Let us know by posting on Facebook or by giving us a call!

Talking retainers with Buena Vista Orthodontics

If you've recently completed treatment at Buena Vista Orthodontics, our professional team would like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Merilynn Yamada or Dr. Bruce Abbink will provide—or have provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth are known to shift out of position if they are not stabilized.

Retainers, however, provide that stabilization, and 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 Drs. Yamada or Abbink is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

If you have additional questions about retainers or your treatment here at our Burbank office, please give us a call at (818) 846-3774 or ask us on Facebook! Our staff would love to hear from you! Enjoy your weekend!

What do you enjoy most about fall?

It’s fall here at Buena Vista Orthodontics, a time when families in Burbank and surrounding areas begin to make plans for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. But before you go celebrating, we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, “How are you spending your time this fall?”

Dr. Merilynn Yamada and team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment here in Burbank and surrounding areas. We are interested in learning about what makes our unique community “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call! Have a wonderful weekend!

"My son is turning seven - when should I bring him in for a consultation?"

Braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven years old are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Dr. Yamada will tell you most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for our team at Buena Vista Orthodontics to assess what the best age for treatment is (Dr. Yamada offers complimentary consultations).

Hope this helps! Give our Burbank office a call at (818) 846-3774 if you have any questions about your child’s treatment, or ask us on Facebook! Enjoy your weekend!

Dr. Yamada and Buena Vista Orthodontics support National Orthodontic Health Month!

Would you believe it's already October? This is National Orthodontic Health Month, and our friends at the AAO put together a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly Halloween recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

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

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (818) 846-3774, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Merilynn Yamada during your next visit!

Ask Dr. Yamada: Why are straight teeth so important?

Good question!

Some people ask us why Dr. Merilynn Yamada and our team at Buena Vista Orthodontics work so tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s great to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque, which is the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; plus, straight teeth are easier to keep clean! If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, we encourage you to give us a call at (818) 846-3774 to set up a complimentary consultation. Dr. Yamada and our team can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment at our convenient Burbank office.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

What are you reading this fall?

We're officially two weeks away from fall season, which means it's back to school time for most of our patients at Buena Vista Orthodontics. Today, we wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading.

In addition to textbooks, it's always great to pick up a great novel or a comic book. Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR fall reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites?

Out of ideas for great fall reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our staff would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian here in Burbank for some ideas. Or, you may check out these fall reading ideas that we came across this week, courtesy of Borders.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your fall picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

The SureSmile® advantage at Buena Vista Orthodontics

At Buena Vista Orthodontics, we offer a variety of different orthodontic treatments - including Invisalign and the Damon System - designed to help give our patients the beautiful smiles they deserve. While there are so many effective treatments available, SureSmile is one of the top treatments in our Burbank office!

SureSmile gets our patients out of braces twice as fast, and with less discomfort than with most conventional treatments. Patients also spend less time in our office and more time smiling. Instead of Dr. Merilynn Yamada bending an archwire by hand, a SureSmile wire is custom-shaped by a robot. When the wire is inserted, each tooth moves directly to the prescribed position. It's this precise movement that enables such great results with a shorter treatment time.

For more information on SureSmile, head to our website or give us a call at (818) 846-3774. Happy Monday and have a wonderful week!

Dr. Merilynn Yamada, reminding you to wear your mouth guards

With the Dog Days of summer here for only another four weeks, our staff at Buena Vista Orthodontics would like to take this time to remind our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this fall. After all, we know this is a busy time of year sports-wise, whether kids are playing baseball in the park or getting ready for high school football in Burbank and surrounding areas.

Dr. Merilynn Yamada wants you to know that only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. So, the next time you're in for a visit with Drs. Yamada or Abbink, we strongly encourage you to ask us for a mouth guard, and we will provide one! Have a great rest of the week and don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook for a chance to win amazing prizes this fall!

Like Buena Vista Orthodontics on Facebook, win GREAT prizes!

At Buena Vista Orthodontics, we value the relationships we’ve developed with our patients over the years. Even if you visit our office on a regular basis, did you know you can always connect with Dr. Yamada on Facebook and other social networks?

In fact, by “Liking” us at Facebook.com/BuenaVistaOrtho, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win five great prizes this summer, including:

1st place: $100 gift certificate to Best Buy.

2nd place: $50 gift certificate to Best Buy.

3rd place: Three awards of $25 gift certificates to Best Buy.

By “Liking” us on Facebook, you also will receive news, updates and contest announcements, including our upcoming video contest in which you can win an Apple iPad – all through your news feed!

Contest ends Tuesday, September 3rd, when we will have a drawing.

See you on Facebook and GOOD LUCK everyone!

Dr. Merilynn Yamada, breaking down the myths about orthodontics

At Buena Vista Orthodontics, trust us when we say we're aware that there are quite a few myths out there about orthodontics (and orthodontists) as well. But before you buy into those myths, Dr. Merilynn Yamada and our entire staff want you to get the facts first! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists help set the record straight (no pun intended) by providing some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out!

If you have any questions about braces or your orthodontic treatment at our convenient Burbank office, please feel free to give us a call at (818) 846-3774!

We hope you're having a wonderful summer :)

Staying connected with Buena Vista Orthodontics

At Buena Vista Orthodontics, we embrace all forms of new technology, whether it’s through the innovative orthodontic treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook page. For social media to work, however, Drs. Yamada and Abbink understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our amazing patients and readers: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog in the coming months? Please post your thoughts on Facebook or give us a call at (818) 237-4779!

Thanks to Invisalign® with Dr. Yamada, mom & dad can have perfect teeth, too!

Focusing on your kids' teeth so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, please let us know! Dr. Merilynn Yamada specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign. In fact, Dr. Yamada is a 2010 Invisalign Preferred Provider.

Invisalign consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and the best part is no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call at (818) 846-3774 to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Summer is a great time to start your treatment at Buena Vista Orthodontics! Happy Monday!

What are happy patients saying about Buena Vista Orthodontics?

Last Tuesday, you may remember, our staff at Buena Vista Orthodontics asked you, our amazing patients, what you most liked about your experience Dr. Yamada, Dr. Abbink and staff. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share a few with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Our entire staff loves getting patient testimonials!

"Very friendly office staff - kids are very comfortable there." ~ Christopher V.

"I love the way Dr. Yamada has incorporated computer(s) system in her office. It is fantastic!" ~ Maggie R.

"Friendly, experienced, professional, super staff." ~ Eunice W.

"Drs. Abbink and Yamada and staff are great with the patients. They are very good at explaining the procedures and the reasons behind performing them." ~ Noah K.

"Good results with my daughter, so it was an easy decision to go to her when I needed orthodontic treatment." ~ Stephen S.

"Positive atmosphere and quality staff. A great environment begins at the top and that says a lot for Dr. Yamada." ~ Karen R.

"Dr. Yamada is at the top of her game." ~ Ryan O.