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!

When Should Your Child See an Orthodontist?

Ahh, braces. They were the bane of our existence in junior high and high school. Maybe we were reluctant to smile, or our classmates poked fun of us and called us “metal mouth,” and we had to be constantly vigilant of what goes in our mouth and to clean our teeth so thoroughly after every meal. But when they came off – oh, sweet freedom!

Perhaps you are now at that time in your life in which your children, who have been “blessed” with your teeth, may be ready to visit the orthodontist to talk about braces and other orthodontic care. But how can you know for sure if your child needs braces? And how early is “too early?”

It's best for the orthodontist to see children by age 8 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required. Permanent teeth begin to erupt and emerge from the gums, which is also the best time to pinpoint any dental issues such as crossbites, crowding, and other problems. It’s always better to see someone at a young age to find that no treatment is needed at the time than to try to fix the problems of someone who should’ve been seen at an earlier age.

Does age 8 seem a bit young to you? Are you asking yourself, “Well, I got braces when I was in my preadolescent years, so why does my child have to go so much earlier than I did?”

There are quite a few big advantages to being screened at an early age and (potentially) receiving orthodontic treatment. For one thing, early orthodontic treatment corrects problems that would otherwise worsen in the adult years. The corrections can also be done more easily at an early age since the bones are still growing.

Braces, which actually harken back to ancient times (yes, that’s right – some unearthed mummies had wires wrapped around their teeth to give them a prettier and more efficient smile!), are put in place to slowly straighten the teeth in one’s mouth. Braces put steady pressure on the teeth and help them stay in place for a certain amount of time.

So how do you know if your child is in need of braces? Naturally, we’ll screen your child to see if he or she needs treatment right now or in the near future, but you can also keep a lookout for these other signs:

*your child lost baby teeth early or late.

*your child’s teeth don’t meet at all.

*your child has trouble chewing or biting.

*your child’s upper front teeth protrudes and is more than 25% past the bottom teeth.

*your child sucks on his or her fingers beyond age five or six

*your child’s teeth are otherwise poorly positioned.

Remember, the goal of all orthodontic treatment is to give the person a good bite; that is, we want to give them straight teeth that mesh well together. With straight teeth, one can chew, bite, and talk much more easily, and the person’s dental health and overall health (and definitely self-esteem) is enhanced.

If you think you’re ready to visit an orthodontist for your child, then it’s time to stop by Mastroianni Orthodontics! We love to give people amazing smiles that they’ll have for the rest of their lives! Visit our website at www.amazingsmiles.com or call 618-288-0600 to make an appointment today!

See Why Mastroianni Orthodontics is Right For YOU!

Orthodontist.

Does this singular word strike fear into your heart? Are you sweating and biting your nails as you read this now?

Guess what? You don’t have to feel that way! In fact, the word “orthodontist” will wind up being your new favorite word once you come visit us here at Mastroianni Orthodontics!

At Mastroianni Orthodontics, we care about our patients and cater to their every need. Unlike the other guys, we go above and beyond to make your experience with us spectacular, enjoyable, and one-of-a-kind.

Your experience begins as soon as you set foot inside our office. Our office is big, bright, comfortable, and best of all – sparkling CLEAN! We have nice, comfortable seating once you arrive for your appointment with us as well. You’ll feel like you stepped into one of your friend’s house, waiting for them to serve you some cookies.

That reminds us – you know that horrible, unpleasant “office smell” that you experience every time you set foot in a doctor’s office? Well, you won’t smell that here! Every morning we take the time to bake fresh, gooey, delicious Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, just for you! That’s right – you can have your cookies and eat them, too, in our office in Glen Carbon!

While you wait, you can enjoy our Internet café and big screen television so you can keep up with the latest news. And guess what, kids? We have a video game room for you to play in while you wait to see Dr. Jeff (Oh, and Mom and Dad, if little Johnny is getting his teeth looked at, your other children are free to use the game room, too!)!

Speaking of waiting – you know how you typically arrive at an appointment only to wait and wait well past your appointed time? Good news – we, unlike many other medical professionals’ offices, run ON TIME. We find it unacceptable to make you wait past your appointed time. We make keeping our schedule on track one of our top focuses!

Oh, and remember the days when you had to sit in a cramped waiting room, filling out all of your patient information on an old clipboard? Those days are long gone here at Mastroianni Orthodontics! You can now fill out all your patient information ONLINE in the comfort of your own home! You’re also free to return to the form at any time if you need to take a call, find out your family health history, or simply go to bed because it’s late!

All in all, a practice isn’t great without an excellent team. Here at Mastroianni Orthodontics, we believe we have the best of the best. Our dedicated team will do anything to keep you happy and comfortable! Whether it’s a quick phone call or an hour-long visit, we want to make your experience with us pleasant and enjoyable. Dr. Jeff has a zany sense of humor and a caring demeanor, and you will feel right at home in his office. Our staff is also super friendly, and we all know your name and welcome you to our office as if you were family.

Are you ready to make that first step in orthodontic treatment? Want to see what we’re all about? Don’t delay! Pick up the phone and call us here at 1-618-288-0600 or visit us online at www.amazingsmiles.com to make an appointment today!

Remember - at Mastroianni Orthodontics, you are NEVER thought of as simply “an appointment!” Call us today!

Help Your Children Love Their Mouths More For National Children's Dental Health Month!

It’s February, and you know what that means! Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and stores everywhere are bursting with red, white, and pink stuffed animals, flowers, and sweets.

Know what ELSE is red, white, and pink? The inside of your mouth! February is National Children’s Dental Month, and what better time than this month is there to teach your children about their teeth and the importance of taking good care of them? The American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month each February to help in raising awareness about the importance of oral health, and their message has reached millions of people across America.

When it comes to oral care, developing good, healthy habits at an early age helps children get in the routine of taking care of their teeth and gums not only through their childhood but also for the rest of their lives.

Here are some tips to help you teach your youngsters how to care for their mouths and ensure that they have healthy teeth and gums for the rest of their lives:

Educate Your Children on Oral Health – Explain to your children why taking care of their teeth and gums is so important. Tell them that if they take good care of their teeth throughout their lives, their teeth will then help take good care of them in return by helping them speak clearly and chew the right foods so they grow up to be healthy and strong. Explain to them the concepts of plaque, gingivitis, cavities and unhealthy gums and why they’re detrimental to their teeth.

Brush At Least Twice a Day – It’s important to properly maintain teeth, and this is essential to teach to your children right away. Make sure they know that they should brush their teeth at least twice a day – after they eat breakfast and before bedtime. If they’re able, tell them it’s good to brush their teeth after lunch or after having a sweet snack. Make sure also that they know why it’s so important to brush their teeth, too, as brushing their teeth frequently and properly will obliterate deadly plaque.

Brush ALL of Your Teeth – Children may have the tendency to brush only their front teeth because they’re easier to reach. Make sure they spend some time on the teeth in the back, too. If you’d like, ask us to show them the best way to brush their teeth efficiently and without damaging their gums.

Remember – It’s Not a Race! Be sure that your children spend some time on their teeth. Two or three minutes is a good time to spend on brushing. If they’re having trouble keeping track of their time, you can play one of their favorite songs to help them pass the time and also get a good idea on how long they should brush.

Get the Right Toothbrush For the Job – Toothbrushes with soft bristles are sure to do the job so that gums aren’t damaged when teeth are brushed. Remember to change out toothbrushes every 3 months. You can help your child figure out when the time has come to switch brushes by purchasing the toothbrushes that have the fading color on the sides of the bristles.

Eat Healthily- Sometimes it’s just not enough to brush your teeth. Sugar and candy can wreak havoc on teeth and begin to form cavities because bacteria go crazy when sugary residue resides on teeth. Be sure your children eat sweets and drink soda in moderation and ALWAYS brush their teeth after consuming sugary treats and beverages. Better yet, make sure they eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of soda.

Practice Healthy Habits – Brushing teeth is only one way to care for teeth, not the catch-all. Flossing teeth is extremely important in keeping teeth healthy and happy as it helps get rid of the food that’s hidden in places no toothbrush can reach. Your child might think it feels weird to floss the first few times they try it, but soon enough, they’ll get the hang of it.

Visit Us Twice a Year – And of course, visit us and your dentist twice a year to make sure teeth are healthy and are growing in correctly.

Are you ready to visit us? Call us at Mastroianni Orthodontics at (618) 205-6133 or visit www.amazingsmiles.com to make an appointment. You don’t have to have a referral to see Dr. Mastroianni, and we also take all types of insurances.

So what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment today!

Taking steps to reduce our environmental impact

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is this Friday, April 22nd, and we thought this would a great time to discuss the things that our orthodontic team does to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Did you know that we offer patients account access 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Our office has convenient and secure online services with our secure patient login system. You can view all of your account information, and even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials.

Dr. Mastroianni and team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall.

Happy Earth Day!

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.

What Will YOUR Smile Look Like After Orthodontic Treatment?

It is sometimes hard to believe the transformation your smile undergoes during orthodontic treatment. We love to see our patients’ smiles light up when they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time. For those of you who haven’t yet started or finished your orthodontic treatment, have you ever wondered what your new smile might look like after treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO for short, has recently launched a new tool called “Virtual Smiles”, which shows what your smile might look like after orthodontic treatment. Check out the Virtual Smiles tool, and call us to get started on improving your smile today!