What Braces? Straighten Your Teeth Stealthily With Invisalign!

The lazy days of Summer are here! Baseball fans are cheering for their favorite teams, summer vacations are winding down, and kids can’t believe school will be starting just around the corner.

So, what other big events happen in the summertime? Hmmm… how about weddings?

That’s right – everywhere around the nation, brides-to-be are looking for that one special dress to wear down the aisle and make them feel like the most beautiful woman in the world on their special day.

But once the dresses, outfits, shoes, and accessories are all selected and readied for the big day or the big night, there’s nothing left to worry about, right? Well, not if you wear braces or have crooked teeth!

What’s the big deal about braces anyway? We’ve got one word for you – PICTURES.

Everyone will be snapping pictures, whether you’re the bride or groom, the bridesmaid, or even the mother of the bride. Naturally, you want to look your best for this special occasion, no matter what your role. So what’s a person to do?

Lucky you! We have the perfect solution for all of your woes!

Invisalign is a great way to correct crooked teeth issues in a nearly invisible way! It’s perfect for weddings and any other upcoming special events.

Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that help in straightening your teeth. It is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and provides an esthetic alternative to traditional braces.

Why on Earth would you want Invisalign? Well, not only are the aligners invisible, but they are also removable. That means you can drink and eat what you want while you’re undergoing treatment, and even brushing and flossing your pearly whites is no longer a problem! Besides, these aligners are comfortable, and there’s no metal to cause mouth abrasions during your treatment!

Oh, and by the way - no metal and wires typically means that you’ll be spending less time at your doctor’s office getting adjustments.

So how does Invisalign work? You wear each set of your aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Your teeth will shift little by little each week when you go through each aligner until they have finally straightened into the final position that Dr. Jeff has prescribed. You’ll visit your favorite orthodontist (Dr. Jeff, of course) every 10 weeks to ensure that your treatment is going according to plan.

If you’re thinking about using Invisalign to improve your smile, Dr. Jeff is the right person to go to. He has treated hundreds of patients with Invisalign and is the most experienced providers in this area (in fact, he was the VERY FIRST Invisalign Teen provider in the Metro St. Louis area!). His expertise with the Invisalign system will ensure that your treatment results will be top notch!

If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign or seeing if it’s the right treatment option for you, call us here at Mastroianni Orthodontics at (618) 288-0600! We have offices in Glen Carbon and in Swansea to help serve you better! See if Invisalign is the proper treatment for YOU!

Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children - It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Dr. Mastroianni & team!

Can Orthodontics Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment with Mastroianni Orthodontics. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders. For adults looking for a straighter smile without the appearance of metal brackets, we are proud to offer the Invisalign system. Dr. Mastroianni is an Invisalign Premier Provider, making him one of the most experienced Metro East orthodontists with the Invisalign system.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques like Invisalign have allowed us to achieve incredible results without the use of traditional metal brackets.

If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give us a call, so we may set up a complimentary consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

One in four parents says their child has had an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO. That why Dr. Mastroianni & team thought February—also known as National Children’s Dental Health Month—would be great time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports. Here are a few tips to stay safe on the field this spring, courtesy of the AAO:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
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. 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 us! Stay safe and have fun!

Flossing with Braces

Many people think that flossing is only to get the food out from in between your teeth, when actually flossing should be done every day on every tooth to help protect your teeth and gums. Flossing is even more important when in braces, as food can easily be caught between the brackets and wires. If you need a refresher on how best to floss between braces, check out this video from Bracesquestions.com below. You can also give us a call or ask during your next appointment!

Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile through orthodontic treatment with Mastroianni Orthodontics? If not, give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation!

Halloween Treats and Braces

Can you believe Halloween is almost upon us? While we're sure you are busy putting the finishing touches on your costume, carving pumpkins and decorating, we wanted to take a moment to remind you all to be kind to your braces this Halloween season.
Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. 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
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

We wish you all a happy, safe, and spooky Halloween!

Top Ten Tips for Keeping your Braces Clean

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips, from Mastroianni Orthodontics:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with the fluoride toothpaste we prescribed you, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Invisalign Teen at Mastroianni Orthodontics

Invisalign Teen has become a popular treatment here at Mastroianni Orthodontics because it provides an option for younger patients to have straight, healthy teeth, without anyone noticing! Unlike traditional braces, teens using the Invisalign Teen system can remove their aligners, allowing them to eat just about anything without worrying about damaging or breaking their braces. This also makes teeth easier to clean compared to traditional braces. There are many advantages to using this new system, and we would love to have an opportunity to discuss it further with you. As you probably know, our consultations are always complimentary and we would be able to assess your teen's eligibility for treatment with Invisalign Teen at that time.

Dr. Mastroianni is a Premier Provider of Invisalign, meaning that he is in the top 5% of orthodontists in the entire COUNTRY using the Invisalign and Invisalign Teen systems. Call us today at 618-288-0600 to set up your complimentary consultation with our office.

Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Mastroianni is a certified Premier Invisalign provider, and has treated hundreds of patients with Invisalign, making him one of the most experienced providers in the area. He was also the very first Invisalign Teen provider in the Metro area. If you have questions about Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, and would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 618-205-6133.