In the Community

Proud Sponsor of Arden Little League

American River Orthodontics and Dr. Payne participated in the opening day ceremonies for the Arden Little League. After two weeks of rain delays with the major storms, we were present during a wonderful spring day at Valley Oak Park.

We have supported the Arden Little League the past two years. This year we have been promoting mouth guards for all light and heavy contact sports.

Dr. Payne of Sacramento’s American River Orthodontics was happy to offer custom-fitted mouth guards to ball players from Arden Little League where more than 300 children are on the league’s 35 teams. Dr. Payne encourages all little league players to wear a protective mouth guard during practice and competition. There are many choices for mouth guards available today, including store-bought, over-the-counter mouth guards sold at most sporting goods stores, “boil-and-bite” mouth guards that require the athletes to boil them and fit them themselves, as well as a custom-fitted mouth guard fabricated by a dental professional and worn by many professional athletes.

Dr. Payne uses state-of-the-art fabrication techniques and machines to heat, layer and pressurize thermoplastic material to create a snug-fitting mouth guard that does not require athletes to bite down to hold in place. This allows for athletes to breathe easily as well as talk while the mouth guard is in place. (And we all know how important shouting can be while playing sports!) Traditionally, baseball players have not worn mouth guards, despite a large number of facial injuries, including tooth loss. We launched our mouth guard program at the opening ceremonies and signed up players for professional custom mouth guards in the hopes that mouth guard use in baseball will become the norm and not the exception.

Dr. Payne Supports Jesuit Lacrosse!

Dr. Michael Payne of American River Orthodontics teamed up with Jesuit High School’s JV Lacrosse team to provide custom mouth guards to players. In his ongoing effort to help area athletes avoid serious oral and facial injuries as well as concussions while playing sports, Dr. Payne fit each player for their mouth guard after taking oral impressions of their teeth. Athletes were fitted with a double laminated mouth guard used by professional athletes.

Crooked Teeth Can Be RUFF!

Dr. Payne supports the Sacramento County Animal Shelter. That’s right. Crooked teeth can be RUFF! And we all know that if the master is not happy, the mutt is not happy!

Dr. Michael Payne of American River Orthodontics combined his love for furry critters with his ability to straighten teeth by becoming a proud sponsor of the Sacramento County Animal Shelter. In fact, the weekend of September 25, 2010, the shelter unveiled its new facility on Bradshaw Road by hosting a fundraiser, Wine the Whiskers. Dr. Payne joined in the animal effort by donating an auction basket to the county, offering a certificate good for a discount off treatment for new patients or relatives of existing patients.

Art Show & Contest

Dr. Michael Payne feels there’s nothing quite as powerful as a smile! And there’s nothing quite as beautiful as art. So when you put the two together, along with the talents and skills of Sacramento’s school children, what do you get? Dr. Michael Payne pondered that question and came up with the idea of an art show and contest celebrating smiles! Over 100 students from the Sacramento area participated in the contest, offering up their artistic talents to produce a piece of art that would evoke a smile. From ceramics to copper, from origami to dioramas, from acrylic to watercolors, students submitted gorgeous work that wowed all of the staff at American River Orthodontics.

Essay Contest

Dr. Michael Payne awarded several prizes to the winners of his 2010 Essay Contest about "Smiles." The topic asked students to discuss the role of smiles in bridging gaps in generation, language and culture. Hundreds of area school children submitted essays to the contest. We had some amazing thoughts come from our community’s children. Take in just a few samples and see for yourself if they make you smile!

“If everyone in the world made the effort to smile at one person each day, the world could be a more enjoyable place.” – Kara Romani, 8th grade

“The beauty of a smile will never discriminate. Smiles are made for all people from all walks of life.” – Anthony Fernandez, 8th grade

“Be God’s helper. Share a smile, and it will spread.” – Joseph Courey, 5th grade

“Smile at older people, and they wave back.” – Dakota Jones, 2nd grade

“A smile is like candy. If you get one, it is sooooo sweet!” – Sofia Peoples, 2nd grade

“A smile makes people feel comfortable and safe.” – Alyssa Traina, 2nd grade