Summer Photo Contest Winners

Earlier this summer, we asked you to share with us your best summer photo. Since then, you have sent to us some amazing photos. If you haven't seen the other entries yet, check them out on our Facebook Page. Yesterday we awarded the prizes - Tickets to the City Museum in St. Louis - to four lucky winners:

• Funniest- B. Page


• Most Adventurous- J. Chouinard


• Most Creative - R. Wiemers


• Furthest Locations - S. Griffin

Thanks again to everyone who turned in pics, they were great!

Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

Some people wonder why we work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Mastroianni can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign Teen's "Make Me Smile" Challenge

Think you can make someone smile in 30 seconds or less? Then check out Invisalign Teen's "Make Me Smile" Challenge! Here's how it works:

Each month, a new challenge will be issued on the Make Me Smile Challenge web site. It is up to you to record a video response to the challenge, and upload it on the site. Videos can only be 30 seconds long, but you can enter as many times as you wish!

There are three challenges total, and the first has already begun! At the end of each round, a judge will chose a winner to receive an Apple iPad! A grand prize will be awarded at the end of the three challenges to send you and a friend to Hollywood!

We've included the contest dates below, but be sure to check out Invisalign Teen's web site for more information, and GOOD LUCK!

Challenge 1: August 17 – September 13, 2010
Challenge 2: September 14 – October 1, 2010
Challenge 3: October 12 – November 9, 2010

Should kids get braces at a younger age?

Decades ago, braces were considered to be best used on patients in their mid-teens. But these days, kids as young as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment based on the recommendations by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
So how do you know when to have your child screened for orthodontic problems? Experts say it really depends on the specific needs of the patient. Some children who get braces at an early age will reap a great benefit from doing so if they have developing orthodontic issues that can be better treated while the patient has both baby and permanent teeth. Just know that Dr. Mastroianni only starts treatments when they are absolutely necessary and tries to limit early treatment whenever possible as there are only about 5 or 6 conditions he feels are worth correcting at that age.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages 9 and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age 8 for our team to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps clear up a confusing aspect of orthodontic care! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, please call your dentists soon to schedule.

Are there teeth grinders in your house?

Grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound, especially recently. A recent study published in the journal Head & Face Medicine suggests that people—adults and kids—faced with stress tend to cope by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the economic recession. During stressful times, teeth grinding can be a nuisance that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Dr. Mastroianni and our team can help determine the cause of the problem.

Thanks to Invisalign®, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too!

Hey parents! You’ve taken your kids to our office to improve their smiles, but what about yours? If you've been wanting to improve your smile , our staff at Mastroianni Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation, so that we can discuss the specifics of your treatment, and determine if Invisalign will work for you.