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. 

AcceleDent Aura - An Accelerated Treatment Option

In April our office began offering AcceleDent Aura to our Invisalign patients. 

What is AcceleDent Aura:   AcceleDent Aura is a first-of-its-kind medical device that works along with conventional orthodontic treatment to accelerate tooth movement.   It is a hands-free device, used daily for a recommended 20 minutes.  

How does AcceleDent Aura work:  AcceleDent Aura generates small vibrations or micropulses.  These micropulses help accelerate the changing or remodeling of the bones surrounding your teeth to speed up tooth movement.  

AcceleDent Aura has been reported to make the orthodontic treatment not only faster but also more comfortable.  It's designed to be fast, safe and gentle.

What will tooth wear look like in 100 years?

There are three reasons for tooth wear:

-Erosion

-Attrition

-Abrasion

Erosion is the progressive loss of tooth substance by chemical or acid dissolution, and no bacteria are involved. Erosion of tooth surfaces is mostly the results of too frequent or inappropriate use of carbonated drinks (including sparkling water) and fruit juices with high levels of acidity. This habit would appear to be particularly common amongst teenagers and young adults.

Attrition is the progressive loss of hard tooth substances caused by mastication or grinding between opposing teeth. The extent of attrition will depend upon the use to which an individual puts their teeth. For example, it will increase in people who habitually clench or grind their teeth (a condition known as bruxism), e.g., during sleep.

Abrasion is the progressive loss of hard tooth substances caused by mechanical actions other than mastication or tooth-to-tooth  contacts. Abrasion is commonly associated with incorrect toothbrushing technique, giving rise to notching at the junction of the crown and root of teeth. It will also be seen in individuals who use their teeth as a tool (e.g., to remove bottle tops, to hold pins, clips or nails). The long-term use of tongue jewelry also causes tooth abrasion, when the jewelry is hitting against the teeth.

To prevent tooth wear:

-Limit the amount of carbonated and sugary/acid fruit juices

-Use proper brushing technique as recommended by your dentist

-Be evaluated for orthodontic treatment to correct an improper bite

In 100 years we hope that tooth wear will no longer be an issue if we educate people now.

*Information obtained from the Dental Health Foundation of Ireland

Written by:  Stacey Udell

Why we love laughter and you should too!

Laughter is a big part of our day. We laugh with our patients and parents and we laugh with each other. Laughter is medicine for the soul!

Our office is set up in an "open bay" design. This is quite common in the orthodontic world, however, the laughter we share in our office is unique. It is unique because our laughter is always shared with the patients we have invested in. We care about and are interested to know more about our patients. For us, it's not just about providing a beautiful lifelong health smile, we also care about the hearts of those we have the opportunity to treat.

Dr. M has an incredibly dry sense of humor, silly things make him laugh. The next time you visit or stop by, feel free to share a joke that we can share with others (G rated).  We love to laugh!

Written by:  Stacey Udell

 

February - Dental Health Month

February is dental health month, here are some fun facts…

*It takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile!

*Two thirds have less respect for their boss with bad oral hygiene

*Some of the things we admit to picking our teeth with…

     ~Earrings, business cards, keys, matchsticks, screwdrivers

*One in four say electric toothbrushes are only for lazy people!?!

*61% of us have been attracted to somebody by their smile alone!

*$1.00 is the going-rate per tooth given by the tooth fairy!

*We would share our toothbrush with…

~A partner 24%

~Our child 18%

~A friend 7%

~A celebrity 6%

*Chocolate is the food that makes us smile the most, followed by a Sunday beef-roast.

*Top of the list of things we could not do without when we go on vacation…

A TOOTHBRUSH!!!

 

The best gift you can give someone else?

A Smile J

Written by:  Stacey Udell

 

Five Tips About Straight Teeth

1. After braces, the only way to keep your teeth straight is by wearing retainers. Retainers are forever!

 2. If you ever lose or break your retainer, make an appointment in our office to get them replaced.

 3. To keep your straight teeth healthy, see your dentist regularly for cleanings, only floss the ones you want to keep!

 4. Straight teeth provide confidence in a person and they like to smile!

 5. You can tell a lot about a person by how often they wear their retainers and how clean their car is!

 

Written by:  Stacey Udell

 

Every Case is an Invisalign Case

We treat all sorts of cases in our office. Mixed dentition cases or Phase I, teen cases as well as adult cases.  Phase I is typically done with expanders, limited braces and a retainer to hold the teeth until permanent eruption occurs.

Once the permanent teeth have erupted it is considered a comprehensive case. It used to be the only type of treatment available was conventional braces. This is still a great option for anyone who does not fit the guidelines for Invisalign therapy.

Surprisingly, every comprehensive case is an Invisalign case. There are things that inhibit someone from doing Invisalign therapy such as the inability to be responsible to wear the aligners 20 hours a day. We are able to determine those cases over simple conversations with patients and parents prior to beginning treatment.

Invisalign has opened up a whole new world in the orthodontic industry. Nearly all of our adult patients have utilized aligners to straighten their teeth after years of being unhappy with their smile. Aligner therapy has also been beneficial for patients who have had severe wear on their teeth due to an incorrect occlusion or bite.  We are able to correct severe malocclusions easier with Invisalign therapy than with conventional braces.

Just one benefit of Invisalign is for those who travel for work or live out of state.  It takes Dr. M hours of administrative time to set up an Invisalign case to insure that the teeth move exactly the way he desires. Once the case is accepted, the aligners are fabricated. At this point, our patients sequence through the aligners and come in for routine 8 week appointments. This is quite appealing to the busy business man/women, traveler, teacher or parent.

Contact our office to see what Invisalign could do for you!

Written by:  Stacey Udell

The Power of a Smile

Wikipedia describes a smile as:

 A smile is a facial expression formed primarily by flexing the muscles at the sides of the mouth.^[1] Some smiles include a contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes, an action known as a "Duchenne smile". Smiles performed without the eye contraction can be perceived as "fake".

Among humans, smiling is an expression denoting pleasure, sociability, happiness, or amusement. It is distinct from a similar but usually involuntary expression of anxiety known as a grimace. Although cross-cultural studies have shown that smiling is a means of communication throughout the world,^[2] there are large differences between different cultures, with some using smiles to convey confusion or embarrassment.

We work with smiles all day long and every smile is unique, no two of them are alike.  Our goal in providing personal attention to all the details is to give you the smile you desire. Some things that may inhibit our ability to give you the smile you desire are the shape and size of your teeth. When this is the case, we work side by side with your general dentist to make your teeth the optimum shape and size that they should be.

In our office, we provide the extra attention to this detail. This is so important for both visual and functional purposes. We are the "set-up" guys, placing your teeth where they need to be and provisionally bonding them until orthodontic treatment is complete. Once treatment in our office is complete, your general dentist will place the final restoration.  When you have teeth that are misshapen, worn or small, this is so important to ensure long term stability for your orthodontic investment.

At Dr. Majznerski's office our goal is to provide you with all the extra details that will give you the beautiful smile that you desire, a smile that will last a lifetime!

Written by:  Stacey Udell

The Year of the Weddings

So why did I title this post: The year of the Weddings?

 

This year four of the staff members here at Dr. Majznerski's office have children that are getting married. 

 

My daughter is getting married this month.

Nancy T's daughter is getting married in September.

Amanda's daughter is getting married in October.

Lisa's son is getting married in October.

 

So needless to say, we are having a lot of conversation about weddings and wedding plans.  At lunch time we are talking about wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, wedding invitations, reception venues, photographers and florists.  We are sharing pictures of our daughters and soon to be daughter-in-law's in their potential wedding dresses and even last week, I brought in my mother-of-the-bride dress to get my coworkers approval.  It is so much fun - planning a wedding. 

 

There are so many little details to take care of to make that day special.  Since we are in the final days of planning our daughter's wedding - we are consumed with the last minute details.  The seating arrangements of our guests was the topic at the dinner table today and tonight as I sit and write this blog post, I have my whitening trays in to make sure my teeth are nice and white for the photos that will be taken on Saturday.

 

Because I have been working for Dr. Majznerski for 22 years, my children as well as my husband and myself have had orthodontic treatment - and I have to say, our teeth look very nice.  That is not something we are concerned with for the wedding.  But if that is not the case for you - and you have a wedding coming up in the near future - now is the time to look into your options. 

 

We are treating more and more patients in our office with Invisalign.  The clear, removable trays used to straighten the teeth make this orthodontic option very appealing to many adults.  If you are planning a wedding and would like to have your teeth straightened for your special day, give our office a call for a cost-free consultation:  531.1811. 

 

You would be surprised how quickly you will see results with Invisalign - just in time for your big day!

 



 

 



February is National Children's Dental Month

 

Each February, 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.



 

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children should be seen for their first orthodontic consultation no later than age 7. While the age of 7 may seem unusually early to consider braces, this pre-screening will give the orthodontist the opportunity to use preventative measures to possibly correct situations that may lead to braces in the future, and /or advise the parent on future orthodontic treatment planning. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment may consult with their dentist at any time, since it is never too late to consider correcting your teeth.

A Happy Customer - Invisalign

A Happy Customer

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is hearing from a "Happy Customer".  Nothing is worse than feeling as though you did not fulfill someone's expectations. 

I have worked for Dr. Majznerski for 22 years.  Now, more than ever, a large number of our patients are adults.  The majority of these adult patients have wanted braces their whole life but for one reason or another they did not go through with it.  Maybe it had to do with the cost. I know when I was first married we were just trying to pay our house payment let alone a dental bill : ) Then children come along and they need braces. 

Finally it is the adults turn.  I love to watch as they begin their "orthodontic journey".  And the day they finish their orthodontic treatment is a real celebration.  Below is a video of one of our "Happy Customers".  Congratulations David - Your smile looks amazing!

Notice the teeth on the computer monitor - These were David's teeth before Invisalign.  Below is a photo showing you the before and after photos.

If you are an adult who has been wanting straight teeth your whole life - Now may be the right time. 

Contact our office today for a complimentary consultation:  616.531.1811 - what do you have to lose!

Invisalign Summit in Vegas

Invisalign Summit

There is nothing like attending a convention to get reenergized about what you do! 

On November 15 four of our staff members and Dr. Majznerski left for Vegas to attend the bi-annual Invisalign Summit.  I have to admit I was excited about going because one, it was Vegas and I had never been there before and two, I love the woman I work with so I knew it would be a fun, bonding weekend. 

I do not work in the clinic at Dr. Majznerski's office so I did not sign up for lectures pertaining to the clinical side of Invisalign.  Instead, I attended several lectures about Social Media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, YouTube etc.) which is what I do here at the office.  I learned a lot about the future of social media and how to make it enjoyable/informational for our patients but the funny thing is I also learned a ton about Invisalign.   

I am very excited about what we are able to offer our patients with regards to Invisalign and Invisalign Teen and the results that Invisalign can provide. 

I could talk until I am blue in the face with facts about how Invisalign works but hearing first hand from someone who has personally experienced Invisalign would be much more beneficial. 

Thank You David for sharing your Invisalign Story with us.

There is a very good chance that you would be an Invisalign candidate. 

Call our office today for a cost-free consultation:

616.531.1811

iTero meet Robert - Robert meet iTero

Robert meet the latest addition to our office - the iTero Scanner

This State-of-the-Art Scanner takes highly accurate digital impressions of your teeth.

So what does that mean for our Invisalign Patients?

• No more impression trays and putty impression material
• A perfect fit of your Invisalign trays
• Less time in the dental office

Let's see how our Adult Invisalign Patient, Robert did with our new scanner:

Thanks Robert for letting us watch as Chrissy scanned your teeth with the iTero Scanner - your a good sport! 

Just one more reason to consider Invisalign for your Orthodontic Treatment.

Dr. Majznerski is one of the only Elite Preferred Invisalign Providers in the area.

Call today for a cost-free Consultation:

531.1811

I'm getting my braces put on today - What can I expect?

What can I expect - Part II

So you are getting your braces put on today.  You are sitting in the dental chair, you have our cool glasses on to protect your eyes and you have lip retractors placed in your mouth to keep your lips out of the way and you teeth dry - what is next?

The next step is to place the orthodontic brackets (braces) on each tooth.  But first we need to prepare each tooth to make sure the brackets will stick properly. 

Watch the video below to see how easy it is.

After the braces are placed, what is the next step?

So there you have it - the orthodontic brackets have been placed on each tooth.  The process is painless! 

The clinicians here at Dr. Majznerski's office are great at what they do.  They want your experience in our office to be a good one and they will always do their best to make sure you are comfortable.

Watch for my next post - when we discuss placing the orthodontic arch wires : )