Egger Smile News

So, Your Orthodontic Retainer Isn't Fitting Anymore? Orthodontic retainers are devices that we orthodontists give our patients to keep their teeth in the most ideal position as possible after their braces come off. We like to say say “as possible” because there is no retainer that can prevent all tooth movement from happening. Even the bonded retainers that are glued to the lower teeth do allow for some minor change. The goal is to keep tooth changes to a minimum. Some movement following the removal of braces is not only acceptable, it is welcome. Teeth will erupt and drift slightly so the retainers will actually fit BETTER than the day the braces were removed. This is desirable movement for the back teeth, but not up front where people may notice. Retainers that do not cover the chewing surfaces of the back teeth allow settling. Wearing two full-coverage retainers at the same time does not permit settling. Your orthodontic  retainer should fit great on the ve...

Here we are prepping for clear aligner therapy like it's our job.  AND WE LOVE IT! While there are several major companies that have labs to fabricate the aligners, the most recognizable lab is Invisalign, which is our preferred company. Here at   #eggerortho , we use a iTero digital scanner to make a virtual 3D model of your teeth. With that model and the necessary dental records taken in our office, Dr. Egger then reviews the records and makes a custom treatment plan for each patient. The template (shown above) is being filled with a composite resin on individual teeth in a precise shape based on Dr. Egger’s prescription. These are what are more commonly known as attachments. The size, shape and placement of the attachments is dependent on the amount of tooth movement necessary. The attachment template is filled at the patient’s appointment and is stored in a dark, temperature controlled area so that the resin does not harden and set. Once the te...

3, 2, 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR! Start 2019 off with good oral health If you want healthy teeth throughout your life, then you need to take care of them. Good oral hygiene habits are not something you can just do "occasionally". You have to make good habits such as brushing and flossing twice daily. If you don't keep your teeth and gums clean, you will need costly dental treatment later in life. Here are some more tips that will help ensure you keep your gorgeous SMILE for a lifetime.  Brush Twice Daily You probably already know that you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, but lots of people don’t follow this advice. In particular, people forget to brush their teeth at night, which means that the plaque from the day has 8+ hours to build up while you are sleeping. This can result in cavities and gum disease. Brush Thoroughly When you brush your teeth, make sure you brush your tongue and your gums at the same time. This helps to ...