Dr. Jeff Answers Your Retainer Questions!

Throughout my career as an orthodontist, I have heard countless questions about retainers. After wearing braces for a few years, my patients tend to have a good deal of questions about their new retainers, and with good reason, too. They have invested time and money in the endeavor of obtaining a straight, amazing smile; they want to make sure they do the right thing.

Many of the questions I receive about retainers revolve around the duration of the retainers. “How long do I need to wear these?” and “Do I have to wear these?” are typical questions I receive.

Well, I am here to answer all of your questions! In fact, I have a video just for you that might explain a few things concerning retainers. Go ahead and check it out below for all of your answers including how long you need to wear braces and much more!

If I haven’t answered a burning question you have been dying to ask or if you want more information, please feel free to give us a call at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 in Swansea. You can also visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com for more information or to make an appointment!

The Mastroianni Team - Storming Las Vegas to Better Serve You!

When you think of Las Vegas, do you tend to think of bright lights and casinos? Well, we at Mastroianni Orthodontics think of just one thing when the words “Las Vegas” come to mind – furthering our education to better serve you!

Recently, six people from Mastroianni Orthodontics attended topFest 2013, which was held from January 31 to February 2 at the Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas. The courses that we participated in offered something for everyone in our practice from hands-on workshops, lectures from guest speakers, doctor-only sessions, roundtable discussions, and much more.

Here are the courses we as a team attended during the 3-day conference and a brief synopsis about what they are and how they will allow us to better serve you!

*Clinic Know-How: We learned in this course about treatment notes and treatment planning, lists, and reports, which should all help us in our daily activities and help us become more effective and efficient on the job.

*Letters Workshop: We created more detailed letters in this conference. We all found out how to use placeholders, add images, and use other faucets in tops. We also learned how to customize statements and receipts and how to add additional information that you, our patient, might request.

*Insurance and E-Claims: In this course, we learned what information we will need to obtain from patients, policyholders, and insurance companies in order to file insurance claims.

*Clinical Training = Clinical Excellence: Lack of training can set a new employee up to fail. In this course, we learned how to develop new employees and retain high quality of employees and, of course, how to help them succeed through training.

*Managing Your Claims and Statements List: Here we gained a better understanding of e-filing insurance claims!

*Contracts Workshop: This course showed us how to create a contract with discounts, single insurance, dual insurance, and splitting initial fees.

*Blending Clinical and Front Desk: We learned how to make things operate more smoothly with the flow of patients, including knowing what list we need to generate for information that will be needed for the day.

*Check and Balances End-of-the-Day Duties: In this course, we learned how to create elastic set ups, remove teeth, change brackets in order to help assist our patients while they are in the chair, which will help patients be even more compliant.

*Mac Course: Yes, we learned about technology, too! Here we worked with different tools and applications on the Mac. This will be used to help our day flow more smoothly and be more efficient at our job.

*Procedures and Schedule Templates Workshop – Increasing Your Daily Production: This course showed us the ins and outs of creating new procedures and groups and placing them on the template where we need them. We also learned about doctor time and the best way to plan out Dr. Jeff’s schedule.

*Financial Arranging Strategies to Maintain the House Advantage: We learned how to measure the relationship between production and financial arranging to making policy decisions, examine alternative arrangements to offer our patients, which helps us become more flexible. We also learned the advantages and disadvantages of soft credit checks!

*Understanding Clinical Reports – The Key to Clinical Excellence: Here we were shown different ways of handling clinical reports to better serve our patients and use our time wisely and efficiently.

*The Schedule is the Driving Force of the Practice: Here we learned different ways for evaluating, updating, and facilitating an efficient and effective orthodontic schedule!

*Patients Are Watching! Instrument Reprocessing and Sterilization: In this course, we learned basic compliance with CDC guidelines and how to implement changes into the practice. This course made us aware that the patients and parents observe every move we make, and it will help us improve our patients’ awareness and assure them that every step is in place to protect their health.

*Photography Workshop: Finally, in this workshop, we were shown the different methods on cropping our photos that we take of new and existing patients to make them even more beautiful.

Attending these courses is just another way that we at Mastroianni Orthodontics are innovative and invest in our staff to better serve you, our loyal patients, with utmost care and the most leading technology. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or have any questions, feel free to call us at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 in Swansea. You can also see all that we can do for you when you visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com.

5 Tips to Avoid Plaque Like the Plague

We at Mastroianni Orthodontics know that plaque, while inevitable, is something that nobody wants to deal with. When kept unchecked, it can wreak havoc on your teeth and can cause irreparable damage.

But do not fret! Just check out our 5 tips that we have for you to help you decrease or avoid plaque!

Brush Regularly – We cannot stress it enough. Brush, brush, brush! You should brush your teeth at least twice every day with toothpaste that contains fluoride in order to maintain a healthy mouth. Keep in mind that brushing your teeth hard won’t help one bit; brush all of the surfaces of your teeth (and your gums) softly, otherwise you can risk damaging your gums and enamel.

Floss Every Single Day – We know, it is not something you really want to hear, but flossing every day is so imperative to maintaining a healthy smile. Did you know that 30% of you’re your enamel is in between the teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach? Flossing between teeth helps to clear away debris before it can cause damage. It also helps keep your gums clean and healthy. Besides, there are many simple tools you can use to floss your teeth. Just be sure to take your time and floss lightly!

Don’t Dodge Your Dentist – You might brush and floss daily, but that does not give you a free pass to dodge your dental appointments. Remember, plaque still happens, and that plaque over time will turn into tartar, which can’t be removed with a toothbrush. Visit your dentist twice every year, and you will lower your chance of getting cavities or losing your teeth.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies – These foods actually play a vital role in fighting off plaque, they are great for your body’s health, and you can also eat several types of fruits and vegetables while you have braces on. So what are you waiting for? Dig in!

Avoid Sugar and Sweets – Before you guzzle that favorite soda of yours, think twice. Consuming sugary drinks and eating junk food allows the sugar to stick to your teeth. The bacteria then become plaque. The less sugar you consume, the greater chance you have of avoiding cavities!

Want some more tips? Need to make an appointment? Just give us a call at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 or check us out online at www.amazingsmiles.com! We will help give you an amazing smile!

Don't Want the Flu or a Cold? It Starts With Your Toothbrush!

The cold and flu season is upon us, and while it is early in the season, we are already having a moderate to severe season. Currently, Boston is in a state of emergency with the many people who come to the hospital having the flu, and several states throughout the nation, including Illinois, have widespread cases of the flu already.

While washing your hands is crucial to staying well, it is just as important to pay attention to your toothbrush, the place in which germs and bacteria can collect and be spread. Here are four oral health tips to help you from potentially catching a cold or the flu this season!

Replace Your Toothbrush Often – This is perhaps something many people will overlook when it comes to fighting the flu or the common cold. Be sure to keep replacing your toothbrush every 3 months, and always use a new toothbrush at the end of the cold or flu so that you won’t expose yourself to the old bacteria again.

Sterilize Your Toothbrush Once a Week – You should especially do this if a loved one of yours is sick. To sterilize your toothbrush, simply place it in a microwave-safe cup with 2-3 inches of water and bring the water to a boil in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes. Try adopting this habit year-round the help prevent the numerous germs and bacteria in your bathroom from clinging to your toothbrush.

Store Your Tooth Brush Properly – Airborne bacteria can move quite easily from brush to brush, so do your best to limit contact with the other toothbrushes in the room. Always store your toothbrush upright and away from the others, and, if you can, use a toothbrush cover to protect it. Keep in mind also that the tube of toothpaste may also contain germs from touching the bristles of a germ-covered toothbrush, so use a clean finger to transport a squirt of toothpaste onto your toothbrush to ensure your health.

When In Doubt, Wash Your Hands Before and After Brushing – While encountering bacteria is inevitable, you can help decrease the amount you come in contact with when you wash your hands. Washing them before AND after can help prevent the spread of diseases that are caused by these types of bacteria, so wash up!

Remember, good dental habits are essential to having a strong and healthy body! Take care of your toothbrush and your general health, and you should have higher chances of evading the flu and cold this year!

For more tips or to make an appointment, feel free to call us at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or (618) 622-3377 in Swansea or check us out online at www.amazingsmiles.com!

6 New Year's Resolutions That Will Benefit Your Teeth

Believe it or not, it is getting to be that time of the year again! Before you know it, 2012 will be gone, and we will begin another new year, and with a new year come new beginnings.

Those new beginnings can start with you in 2013! This year, resolve to make goals that will help improve not only your overall health but also your dental health! Check out these 6 great New Year’s resolutions that will benefit both your teeth and your overall health!

Eat Well – Okay, I admit. I probably had one too many cookies this holiday season! There is no shame in treating yourself once in a while, especially during this time of year in which we celebrate the holidays together with family and friends. For 2013, resolve to eat more healthily overall. Say yes to more fruits and vegetables, and do your best to cut back on sugary and processed foods, which can cause problems with your teeth. Aim for a healthy, well-balanced diet. Not only will your teeth and gums be healthy and happy, but your entire body will also benefit from the vital nutrients you consume, AND you can help yourself maintain a healthy weight!

Lose Weight – This resolution is a rather common one that countless people in the nation make every single year. According to recent surveys, 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese. Being overweight puts you at risk for several diseases, including Type II Diabetes, which has been known to increase your risk of periodontal disease. Trust me, you do not want to mess with periodontal disease! Resolve to become more physically active and eat more healthily in 2013 for the health of both your body and your teeth!

Brush at Least Twice a Day – Yes, that is right; we said AT LEAST twice a day! Thoroughly brushing your teeth will help protect your teeth from tooth decay and gum disease, and it will help ward off your teeth’s mortal enemy – plaque! Aim to brush your teeth as thoroughly as possible for roughly two minutes at least twice every single day to make sure you are keeping your teeth in tip-top shape!

Quit Smoking – Are you a smoker? Why not resolve to stop smoking or using tobacco once and for all in 2013? Tobacco harms your lungs, teeth, and gums, and partaking in smoking puts you at risk for tooth discoloration and decay, cavities, gum recession and gum disease, disease of the throat and lungs, and even oral cancer or emphysema. In fact, you are twice as likely to lose your teeth than non-smokers! So do your teeth a favor and aim to stop smoking!

Floss Every Single Day – As people grow older, the big reason that they lose their teeth is not because of cavities but because of periodontal disease. When you floss, you remove the plaque between your teeth that brushing cannot do. If you find flossing too difficult, don’t worry! There are many simple devices that can help you floss. Be sure to take the extra few minutes out of your day in 2013 to floss!

Come Visit Me! Resolve to visit your favorite orthodontist frequently. When you stop by for your appointments at Mastroianni Orthodontics, we can help monitor your teeth and keep tabs on your teeth’s conditions. You should also visit your local dentist once every 6 months.

Will you be making any New Year’s resolutions this year? I hope you resolve to take better care of your teeth and to come visit us here at Mastroianni Orthodontics! We will ensure that you leave with a beautiful, amazing smile! To make an appointment, just call us here at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or at (618) 622-3377 or visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com. We hope you have a happy, safe, and successful 2013!

3 Reasons To Get Braces in 2013

With a new year upon us, everyone is going to be caught up in making New Year’s Resolutions, and while resolutions are good, people quite often lose sight of their good intentions and have left their resolutions in the dust come April.

With that in mind, I want to give you 3 reasons why you should seriously consider looking into getting orthodontic treatment for the upcoming year.

Braces help correct an underbite or an overbite - One of the main reasons people get braces is to help correct underbite or overbite. An underbite is a situation in which the lower jaw juts out a bit too far causing the bottom teeth to extend out past the upper teeth. Conversely, overbite occurs when the upper jaw pushes the upper teeth too far forward. These two conditions can cause undue stress on the jaw and the teeth, and lead to permanent damage. Braces can help correct both of these situations and potentially save you lots of grief in the future.

Prevent tooth decay - This one might not be very obvious at first glance. Having crooked teeth can make brushing and flossing rather complicated. Plaque builds up in the spaces between teeth, and if the teeth are too close together, or resting at awkward angles with one another, that buildup can easily grow and get out of hand, causing cavities, tooth decay, and many other oral health problems. With straight teeth, flossing is much easier and much more effective at removing plaque.

Better Self-Esteem - Having a nice straight smile will definitely lend itself toward giving you higher self-esteem. No more worrying about awkward half-smiles in pictures! Plus, you will not feel the need to hide your teeth in photos!

So there you have it. If you have been considering getting braces or Invisalign for your teeth or your children’s teeth, call us at (618) 288-0600 in Glen Carbon or at (618) 622-3377 and set up an appointment. You will be glad you did!

Feast on Thanksgiving? We Say YES!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just about here? Well, it is, and we have so much to be thankful for, especially for our loved ones, friends, and, of course, our dental health!

Want another thing to be thankful for? Recent research has shown that the typical, bountiful meals that you make for Thanksgiving (if planned correctly) are not only delicious but also healthy for your body, teeth, and your gums, too!

Our bodies need many different essential vitamins and minerals to stay strong and healthy. Well, so do your teeth and gums! Guess what? Many of those essential vitamins and minerals can be found in many of the foods in the Thanksgiving meal that you prepare!

See below which foods are the best for you and why!

Turkey – The highlight and main event of any Thanksgiving meal, turkey is high in phosphorous, which is healthy for developing teeth. The high amount of phosphorous also helps rebuild and remineralize your teeth and the bones in your jaw! That’s just one more excuse to gobble all the turkey you want this Thanksgiving!

Sweet Potatoes – Are you a sweet potato fan? Have you been told over and over that sweet potatoes are bad for you? Well, you’re in luck! Recent research is showing that sweet potatoes are much healthier and nutritious than what was once thought, even more so than regular white potatoes! Sweet potatoes are also loaded with nutrients and lots of vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and B6, so load ‘em up on your plate!

Green and Winter Vegetables – Vegetables are important for a well-balanced diet as it is, but green vegetables and winter vegetables are even more essential for your gums! They are packed with Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both of which are essential for gum health and also for the repair of gum diseases like gingivitis and even periodontitis!

Cranberries – Rejoice, cranberry lovers! You can eat cranberries without any shame or remorse! These fruits contain flavonoids, which can prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth and forming plaque! Remember, bacteria are the ones responsible for tooth decay and gum infections, so be sure to chow down on some sweet cranberries!

Pumpkin Pie – Yes, we said it. Pumpkin pie is actually a good source of Vitamin C and calcium, which is essential for gum health and developing teeth and bone maintenance. Now, we’re not saying that you can go and eat whole pumpkin pies, but you most certainly can indulge in a piece or two!

Remember, wellness for your whole body, including your smile, starts with prevention and good nutrition. All of us here at Mastroianni Orthodontics wish you an enjoyable, nutritious, and stress-free Thanksgiving and holiday season!

And if you want to come in for an appointment, be sure to call us in Glen Carbon at (618) 288-0600 or in Swansea at (618) 622-3377 or visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com!