Invisalign - How does it work?

Have you ever been around a person or group of people who are excited about a product or service they are currently using and that is all they want to talk about (and post about on social media)?  As their success with the product increases, so do the photos they post and share.  Sometimes it drives me crazy but sometimes it stirs in me a curiosity to check out what they are so excited about.

Maybe Invisalign is like that for you.  Many adults, who often had orthodontic treatment as a teen but never wore their retainers, are looking into options to straighten their now less than perfect smile.  Invisalign has become by far the most popular option for adults as well as teenagers. 

Let me give you some basic information about Invisalign, how it works and why it is such a great orthodontic option. 

Invisalign - what is it:
Invisalign is a modern approach to straighten teeth using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you.  These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. 

Invisalign - how does it work:
Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your orthodontist plans out for you.  

There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten.  You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every week, until your treatment is complete. 

Inivsalign - why is it such a great option:
 You will achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life.  The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth.  

To see some amazing before and after photos of adults and teens who were treated with Invisalign in our office - click here: http://www.smilesbydrm.com/patient/invisalign-before-after-photos 

We would love to schedule a no-cost consultation for you in our office.  It is a great way to get your Invisalign questions answered and find out if Invisalign might be the best orthodontic option for you.  

Call our office today:  616.531.1811 - we look forward to meeting you!


Dawn Rosendall, RDA, CDA


 

 

Invite Invisalign to the Wedding!

According to Sound Vision Staff Writer, June is the most popular month for weddings, then August, followed by September and October.

Here at Dr. Majznerski's office there are two of us staff members that have children getting married this summer - one in June and one in July.  
       

We have had many conversations over the past year about venues, caterers, florists, photographers etc.  Planning a wedding can be a lot of fun but also at times a bit overwhelming.  There are so many decisions to be made and options to choose from. 

The first hurdle my daughter and I had to jump was the wedding budget - how much money did she have to spend on her big day.  Once that was decided, she had to put her priorities in order - what were the most important things to her and the groom and how much of her budget was she willing to put toward that service. 

One of the more expensive items on the bride and groom's list is often the photography.  As the mom of the bride, I know that the wedding pictures are high on my daughter's list.  In the case of Sara and Danae, because their moms work for an orthodontist, they have beautiful smiles but I happen to know that for many brides to be this is not the case.  In fact, having the wedding pictures taken can be a real source of anxiety. 

Nothing is more rewarding than to have a soon to be bride or groom visit our office - looking into their options to get straight teeth before the "big day".  It is not only fun to hear all about their plans but when they decide to proceed with orthodontic treatment, we get to watch their smile change before our eyes.  Often as their smile changes, so does their confidence.

Invisalign treatment is a great option for the bride and/or groom.  The treatment time is often less than one year which gives us just enough time to give them a beautiful smile.  And in the unlikely case that treatment is not complete by the day of the wedding, the clear Invisalign trays (aligners as they are called) are removable so they could be removed for the wedding day and then put back in to finish up treatment after the wedding.  

If you are planning a wedding in the next year or so and are not happy with your teeth/smile, now is the time to look into Invisalign.  Call our office for a no-cost consultation - 616.531.1811.  We will answer any questions you may have about orthodontic treatment and do whatever we can to give you the smile you want just in time for your big day.  

Dawn Rosendall, CDA, RDA

You often get one chance to get it right!

When it comes to raising our children, we want to get it right.  

We start reading to them  before they are even born.  We get the latest immunizations to prevent future illnesses.  We introduce them to foods one at a time so that we know they have no allergies.  We schedule play dates so that they learn how to get along with other children.  We try to prepare them for their first day of school by teaching them their colors and letters.  We sign them up for camps to give them every advantage when it comes to sports, band, theater etc.

When it comes to their smile - we want to get it right.  At an early age, we teach them how to brush and floss their teeth.  We bring them to the general dentist to make sure their teeth are clean and coming in correctly.  When the dentist says it is time to see an orthodontist, we ask around to find out which orthodontist in the area will do a great job. 

Listen as this mom talks about getting it right:

The results of your child's orthodontic treatment will be with them for the rest of their lives.  Their smile is a big part of who your child is and how they feel about themselves.  Make sure to get it right. 

By:  Dawn Rosendall

Motivation - Why we do what we do

Motivation - is an interesting thing.  Why we do what we do - why we make the decisions that we make.  The Webster's Dictionary defines the word motivate this way, "To provide with an incentive or motive".  Why do you go to work each day?  I'll bet the motivator is a pay check.  

One of the questions I ask our adult patients at the end of their orthodontic treatment is, "Why did you decide to get treatment?"  I want to know what motivated our patients to pursue treatment.  After all, orthodontic treatment is not cheap and it can take a year or more to complete.  The responses I get cover a wide range of reasons.  Here are just a few:

1.  I never liked my smile
2.  My wife never liked my smile
3.  My General Dentist said if I didn't get me bite corrected, I would lose my teeth
4.  I was having pain in my jaw joints
5.  I was getting married and wanted my teeth and smile to look great for the photos 

The list goes on and on.  Most often what motivated the person to begin orthodontic treatment, whether it is with Invisalign or traditional braces, is met at the end of treatment.  Very seldom do I find that the patient says, "I wish I never would have gone through with orthodontic treatment, it didn't deliver what it was I was looking for".  More often than not they say, "I wish I had done it years ago".

Jeannine was in our office last week for her final records appointment.  I asked her why she chose to get orthodontic treatment and why she chose Invisalign.  Here is her answer: 

Thank you Jeannine!

Whatever your motivator may be for wanting orthodontic treatment - you have nothing to loose in scheduling an initial consultation with our office.  There is no charge for this appointment and it is a great way to find out what your orthodontic options are.  Give us a call, we would love to find a day and time that work with you:  616.531.1811

written by:  Dawn Rosendall, CDA, RDA

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due!

When it comes to networking - things have really changed over the past five to ten years!  When I was a young mom (I won't tell you how many years ago that was) and needed to find a pediatrician for my newborn baby, I would have asked my neighbor, my sister or the lady I worked out with at the YMCA where they bring their children.  The internet was not an option.  I wasn't even comfortable thumbing through the yellow pages to find a doctor for my kids - I wanted first hand information about the office and the doctor.  This is not the case with today's generation.  I am sure they are still just as concerned about finding the right doctor and/or dentist but they look for these services in a much different way. 

I take the new patient phone calls here in our office and one of the questions I ask is how the caller found us.  Many of the younger, potential patients will respond, "I searched orthodontist or Invisalign on the internet".  This always surprises me just a little bit but it is the "way" of the future. 

This changes the game just a little for the business' of today.  You better show well in the search engine world or you may not be seen by the potential customer/patient.  Part of showing up on the first page of Google or other search engines is having good reviews.  This is where I give a pitch for writing a review.  We don't always want to take the time to write a review but more than ever, it is an important component for business'.  We are quick to complain when things are not just right but how often do we give credit where credit is due.  If you have received good services from a business and would recommend this business to your family and friends, take the time to write a review.  It will make all the difference.  I know it takes time - but business' rely on your input. 

Written by:  Dawn Rosendall, RDA, CDA

Consumers have choices - even when looking for an orthodontist!

Last week while my husband and I were flying to Charlotte, NC to visit our daughter, the flight attendant came on the intercom system and made the following announcement:

"Thank You for choosing to fly with us.  We realize when booking your flights you have several options and we appreciate that you chose to fly with Delta Airlines.  We value your patronage with us and will do everything possible to make your flight an enjoyable one."

What a true statement - as consumers, we do have choices.  This is true in the orthodontic world as well - there are choices.  There are other orthodontists in our neighborhood that you could choose.  So what makes one orthodontist better than another and how do you go about making the right choice?  Orthodontics is an investment and you want to make sure you are getting the most for your money!

My first recommendation is to look at the office's website - you can learn a lot about an orthodontic office by their website.  Is the website up to date - is it responsive, meaning can you look at it from your mobile devices or tablet as well as on your desktop?  Look at the before and after photos - nothing gives you a better idea of what your final outcome will look like than looking at other patients that the orthodontist has treated. 

What orthodontic treatment options are available through the office.  Do they offer traditional braces only or are they an Invisalign provider as well?   And if they do offer Invisalign as an orthodontic option, what level of Invisalign provider are they - there are different Invisalign provider levels based on the number of Invisalign cases treated each year in that office.  There are also Invisalign Teen providers if you are looking for an orthodontist for you teenager.  These are all very important questions to ask when doing your research.  

One last thought - If the staff on the Delta Airline flight were not friendly and unaccommodating, I would think twice about booking my next flight with them.  Same for an orthodontist office - when you call to schedule an initial consultation are they friendly?  Does the person on the other line make you feel is if she or he wants to answer all your questions and address your concerns?  If they are not friendly when you initially call the office they may not be friendly throughout your months of treatment there.

I would be remiss if I didn't end this blog post with a link to our before and after photos:  http://www.smilesbydrm.com/patient/before-after-photos

If you are looking for a great orthodontic office, call us!  616-531-1811

Foods to avoid with braces

Although sturdy, stable and advanced, braces are orthodontic appliances that you need to treat with care.  That means eating foods that are gentle on the brackets and wires that hold your braces together and in place. 

Avoid soft, sticky foods and candies.  They can loosen or even dislodge your braces. 

Be careful with whole fruits and vegetables too.  Cut apples and carrots into very thin slices and chew them carefully.  Slice corn off the cob.

It's best to avoid chips and dip.  If that's too much of a sacrifice, indulge in moderation.  Never suck on lemons, limes or ice.  Also, do not chew on pens or pencils.

Hard Foods to avoid:

• Hard Candy
• Popcorn
• Jerky
• Ice
• Nuts
• Pizza Crust
• Jolly Ranchers

Soft Foods to avoid:

• Bubble Gum
• Gum
• Starbursts
• Sugar Daddies
• Tootsie Rolls
• Gummy Bears
• Caramels
• Taffy
• Other chewy candies

Use Caution when eating:

• Chewy bread such as bagels - tear into small pieces
• Chips - eat them carefully and one at a time
• Corn on the cob - cut off the cob
• Apples and carrots - cut into small pieces
• Soda and sugary drinks - avoid these whenever possible as drinking too much can cause tooth decay

Avoiding foods you like may not be fun, but eating things that you're not supposed to eat can cause broken wires or brackets.  These can not only be painful but can actually prolong treatment.