PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Lots of patients ask about clear brackets when getting braces, but some brands are giving other clear brackets an undeserved bad reputation for staining easily.

It’s true that some brands of less expensive clear brackets become discolored with wear, said Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, who owns an Eagan and Minneapolis, MN orthodontics practice. Foods such as tomato sauces, soft drinks, coffee, tea and grape juices can discolor some clear brackets over time.

However, there are some quality brackets on the market that do not stain. The Minneapolis, MN orthodontist uses Inspire ICE brackets, manufactured by Ormco Orthodontics. The brackets, made from crystal-clear sapphire, are more stain resistant than brackets made from porcelain or plastic compounds, which can be more porous.

Foods and fruit juices also can stain elastic ties around the brackets, but Eisenhuth said that isn’t much of a problem because those are changed at each orthodontic visit, which typically is every six weeks.

ICE brackets also are the only entirely transparent bracket on the market and they practically disappear once placed on the teeth, according to the Ormco Orthodontics Web site.

“The enamel on our teeth has a pigment and everyone’s tooth color is slightly different, which makes it difficult to find a tooth-colored bracket to match everyone,” said Eisenhuth, the Minneapolis, MN braces expert. “Using this clear colored, high-quality bracket means that it pulls in the color from the teeth, no matter what shade the teeth are.”

In addition to the aesthetic benefits of ICE brackets, Ormco touts the strength of their product, stating that the brackets are two times as resistant to breakage as other ceramic appliances. They also require less force when they are removed from the teeth and they have a smooth profile that provides optimum comfort for wearers.

“Overall, I like the brackets because it’s smaller, it looks nice and it responds well to movement,” Eisenhuth said. “We’ve had really good results for the two years or so that we’ve used them.”

Good Hygiene Can Prevent Stains And Improve Treatment
Even patients with clear brackets that aren’t ICE brackets can take measures to ensure they stay looking aesthetically pleasing, Eisenhuth said.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of having an electric toothbrush, such as a SoniCare brush,” she said.

Brushing within 20 minutes after eating foods or drinking beverages that can stain the teeth and the brackets is a good practice for keeping teeth white and tooth decay at bay. On average, braces wearers should brush their teeth two to four times daily with a non-whitening toothpaste. Using a whitening toothpaste only whitens the portions of the teeth that aren’t covered by brackets, so once those brackets are removed, patients can be left with spots on their teeth where the brackets were.

Patients with clear brackets often also have clear ligatures, so it is important to have the ligatures changed regularly, as they can stain more quickly than the brackets.

The cleaner the brackets, the less friction created as far as orthodontic movement goes, Eisenhuth said. That means the braces can move the teeth faster. Patients who do not brush and floss properly run the risk of getting inflamed gums, which can make it more difficult for the orthodontist to properly align the teeth.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about ICE brackets, Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth’s practice or you would like to schedule a consultation with her, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: http://doctorjennifer.com.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth, Minneapolis Invisalign provider attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth, Minneapolis Invisible Braces Expert, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Eagan and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2010 Sinai Google SEO Marketing and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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Designed to accommodate up to a 19" flat screen medical-grade monitor, the Pelton & Crane FLEX Monitor Mounts provide enhanced patient communication and ultimately case acceptance within any dental practice.

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By incorporating the patent pending design of the Spirit 3000 delivery unit with the Pelton & Crane CaseworxT dental cabinetry, the new Spirit 3000 Side Delivery system provides enhanced positioning capabilities to a wider range of dental practitioners.

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Maximizing the bond it what it's all about. And with the wide range of materials available today, it is more important than ever to select the appropriate primer. Some work with everything from zirconia to metal. Others are formulated specifically for porcelain. Additional variables when picking a primer include number of components and the delivery method. Bisco, Inc. offers bond-enhancing agents to satisfy any clinical need. Check out these three.

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Original Source: IndyStar.com

At the age of 10, I went to an orthodontist for obligatory braces. He found out I liked math and science and loved art. With this combination of interests, he thought I would be a great dentist.

This is surprising only because at that time, in 1968, less than 1 percent of dentists were women. I ignored this fact and decided if Dr. Howard Baker thought I would be great, I would be.

I did the research and planned it all out. Most parents would have humored the child. Mine were so confident that they made a wooden plaque that said Dr. Cynthia Schubbe, D.D.S., and put it away in a closet. They brought it to my graduation ceremony from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1983.

Some people are lucky and get their big break early. I was one of them, because of the two wonderful people who raised me. Their work ethic was inspirational, and I wanted to be just like them. My parents gave me a legacy of persistence and hard work as the keys to success. I had finished three years of undergraduate work at the IU-Purdue Fort Wayne campus when the dental school accepted me a year early to begin training for my chosen profession.

Many times I substituted vision for reality. During a time of double-digit interest rates, 1983 was a difficult year to begin searching for a job or starting a business.

After two temporary positions were completed within a year, I found an independent associate position in a small Fishers office in 1984. The two dentists who owned the satellite office needed someone to build up the patient base. By calling all the existing names in the charts and baby-sitting the phone six days a week, I began rebuilding the practice. Luckily, my newlywed husband was supportive of my long hours.

These first patients sent more patients, and my practice in Fishers grew as fast as the town.

When I accepted the associate position, I made sure I had the right to force a purchase if it became necessary. It became necessary in 1986 when it became clear that the owners and I had many differences of opinion.

LOS ANGELES, BEVERLY HILLS AND SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA–When we think of tooth development, we often think of a baby cutting its first teeth.

But tooth development- known scientifically as odontogenesis- actually begins in the womb.

Anatomy Of A Tooth
Before discussing how teeth develop, it’s important to understand a bit about tooth anatomy and the four major tissues that comprise a tooth, said Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen, who owns a Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, CA orthodontics practice. Those four tissues are - enamel, cementum, dentin and pulp.

The crown of a tooth is covered with enamel- which is the hardest and most concentrated mineralized substance in the body. The cementum is a bony substance that covers a tooth’s root. Dentin is a connective tissue located between the enamel or cementum and the dental pulp chamber that helps support the crown of the tooth.The pulp is located in the center of the tooth and contains soft connective tissue filled with blood vessels and nerves, Nikaeen, beverly hills orthodontist,  said.

How Teeth Develop
Odontogenesis is the process where teeth form from embryonic cells, grow and eventually erupt from the gums. The four stages of tooth development are the bud stage, the cap, the bell and maturation.

Healthy teeth require the proper development of dentin, enamel, periodontium and cementum during the appropriate fetal development stages, said Nikaeen, a Beverly Hills, CA Invisalign provider.

The primary teeth- also commonly called baby teeth- begin to form in the jawbone between six and eight weeks after conception. Permanent teeth start to develop at 20 weeks.

“Teeth must begin to develop at these points of gestation or they will not develop at all,” said the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, CA braces expert.

Teeth are created through a protein matrix mineralization process. Although this process begins in the womb, it actually isn’t completed until late adolescence, when growth of the root structure is completed.

It is interesting to note that a majority of babies are born without their teeth showing, but about one in 2,000 babies has a visible tooth at birth, Nikaeen said.

Requirements for Healthy Tooth Development
The mother plays a significant role in the development of her baby’s teeth. Having a healthy diet and proper nutrition helps ensure that the baby receives the minerals and nutrients it needs to develop healthy teeth.

Women who suffer from severe nutrient deficiencies during their pregnancy increase the likelihood that their baby will be born with dental malformations or that they will be more susceptible to tooth decay as they mature, according to information posted by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Healthy tooth development and maintenance requires a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin C is necessary because dentin contains a protein called collagen, and collagen needs  vitamin C for normal synthesis, according to the ADHA article. Vitamin A is needed so that tooth enamel can form. The enamel contains keratin, another type of protein, and vitamin A is necessary for keratin to form.

Vitamin D is essential to the process by which phosphorus and calcium are deposited into crystals of hydroxyapatite, which is the structural matrix of teeth, as well as bones, the article stated.

Fluoride, calcium and phosphorous are incorporated into the tooth’s mineralized structure during development to form fluorapatite. This is a compound that is more resistant to erosion than hydroxyapatite. After tooth eruption occurs, fluoride no longer is involved systemically in forming teeth.

Keeping A Mother’s Teeth And Gums Healthy
A mother’s decay-causing bacteria can be transmitted to her child, so it is important to have maternal teeth free of decay before the birth, Nikaeen, beverly hills invisible braces,  said.
The decay process begins with plaque, an invisible sticky layer of harmful bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria convert sugar that remains in the mouth to an acid that attacks tooth enamel.

Plaque that is not removed can irritate the gums, making them red, tender and likely to bleed easily. High progesterone levels are known to be responsible for puffy, tender gingival tissue.

The American Dental Association believes that poor periodontal health in the mother may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes including premature delivery and low birth weight of the baby.

Learn More
Next month’s article will discuss tooth development in children between birth and age 3. If you would like to learn more about tooth development in children or you would like more information on Beverly Hills, CA beverly hills lingual braces expert Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen, please  visit her Web site:  http://www.invisibraces.com/ or call her office for a free consultation: (310) 444-1113.

About Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen
Dr. Nikaeen graduated with honors from dental school in 1993 and received a doctorate in dental surgery (DDS). She gained experience practicing general dentistry for several years before attending Columbia University School of Dentistry and Oral Surgeons in New York, where she earned her post-doctoral education in orthodontics and received an orthodontic specialty certificate.

In addition to running her practice, Dr. Nikaeen is a faculty member at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) Orthodontic Department and teaches orthodontic residents.

Dr. Nikaeen’s Los Angeles practice serves patients throughout Southern California, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

© 2009 Sinai Google SEO Marketing and Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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LOS ANGELES, SANTA MONICA AND BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA —  Los Angeles, CA Orthodontist Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen is offering a holiday special to new patients who get braces through January 30.

Whether patients need traditional braces or Invisalign, Nikaeen offers $500 off the treatment cost. Once treatment is completed, patients will receive a complimentary Nite White take-home teeth whitening system.

Nikaeen makes a custom-fitted teeth whitening tray for all patients at the time that the patient’s retainer is made, said the Los Angeles, CA invisible braces provider.

“The teeth whitening system is a product patients can continue to use periodically, long after completing their orthodontic treatment,” Nikaeen, top orthodontist in los angeles,  said.

Nikaeen’s Los Angeles, CA orthodontics keeps teeth whitening products in stock for patients.

Nite White offers excellent whitening results and reduces sensitivity by 30 percent, according to the manufacturer’s Web site .

“I believe that teeth whitening is the perfect way to cap off your orthodontic treatment,” Nikaeen,  los angeles invisalign provider,  said. “Once patients have properly aligned teeth, this is a great way to really show them off.”

With the holidays fast-approaching, Nikaeen, los angeles lingual braces expert,  said offering the $500 discount should make it easier for parents to give the gift of good oral health to their children, or for people to decide to treat themselves to a beautiful smile.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about these special offers, Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen’s orthodontic practice, or you wish to contact her for a free consultation, please visit her Web site:  http://www.invisibraces.com/, or call her office: (310) 444-1113.

About Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen
Dr. Nikaeen graduated with honors from dental school in 1993 and received a doctorate in dental surgery (DDS). She gained experience practicing general dentistry for several years before attending Columbia University School of Dentistry and Oral Surgeons in New York, where she earned her post-doctoral education in orthodontics and received an orthodontic specialty certificate.

In addition to running her practice, Dr. Nikaeen is a faculty member at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) Orthodontic Department and teaches orthodontic residents.

Dr. Nikaeen’s Los Angeles practice serves patients throughout Southern California, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

© 2009 Sinai SEO Services Marketing and Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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Dental supplies are obviously very important to the orthodontic and dental industry.  Without the proper supplies and devices, dentists would have a tough time doing their jobs efficiently on a daily basis.  In today’s article, I am going to talk about the dental supply business as a whole, and, elaborate on the most popular items that Dental Corporation of America (DCA) offers.

Let us take some time and talk about the wide range of dental products offered by DCA.  DCA always carries examination gloves.  Latex exam gloves are the most basic of all dental office products, as they are used by dentists repeatedly and on a daily basis.  Outside of these gloves, other sterile products are sold to keep things clean for all patients who enter the office.  Cleaning brushes, usually stainless steel or nylon, can be used to keep surfaces tidy.  Powerful cleaning solutions, such as DCA No Rinse Ultrasonic Cleaner, are also very important, as they can prevent rust from forming on surfaces, and yet don’t require very much time to dry.

Disinfection is very important in the dental office.  Disinfectant cleaner and disinfectant spray are used often to keep surfaces clean and sanitary.  Medical grade disinfectants, which can sanitize areas in about ten minutes, are typically the best to use.  These medical disinfectants provide an efficient and safe means for the high-level disinfection or sterilization of medical, ophthalmic and surgical devices – including endoscopes and lensed instruments.  A spray disinfectant is key, because it can kill viruses like H1N1 and MRSA.  It is especially useful in treatment areas, laboratories, and other critical care areas where environmental infection control is essential.

Outside of cleaning and infection control, DCA carries a plethora of other dental products.  These dental products range from general dental, to cosmetic and orthodontic supplies.  On the orthodontic end of things, most dental supply companies tend to carry brackets, archwire, impression materials, and various instruments.  Some of the more specialized orthodontic instruments include a band plugger/director, which is used when you need a round, small plugger.  You take care of the front side, and then switch to the other end for a precision ligature director. These are typically made of stainless steel for durability.

Other popular orthodontic instruments include the cotton pliers, and the needle nose hemostat.  The cotton pliers sport finely tapered tips, which give you better visibility when using them.  They also have a self-locking feature, which means that simply put, you’re in control the entire time. They are stainless steel for easy sterilization and long life.  The needle nose hemostat is a locking action instrument used for tying ligatures.  This instrument also sports a stainless steel box joint hemostat, with finely tapered serrated tips.

Besides the aforementioned items, many other dental instruments and products can be found through DCA.  Click to browse our dental products online, or, see all of our dental supplies by requesting a catalog.

ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Crowded teeth are a common trait in many patients who seek orthodontic treatment.

Sometimes achieving ideal alignment requires more than simply shifting teeth. In some cases of overcrowding, interproximal reduction helps provide enough room to align teeth properly, said Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and St. Paul, MN orthodontist.

“Interproximal reduction is a technique I often use in conjunction with Invisalign treatment, ” said Eisenhuth, who is an Eagan and St. Paul, MN Invisalign provider. “It can provide quicker results in many cases when combined with orthodontics.”

Interproximal reduction is the removal of a tiny amount of enamel between teeth to slightly decrease their width.  This technique also is known as slenderizing, enamel reduction, stripping, selective reduction or reproximation.

How the Process Works
First, Eisenhuth must determine if the patient is a candidate for the procedure by considering each individual patient’s teeth shape and size, their alignment, positions and the patient’s facial features.

Front teeth create the framework upon which the lips rest, so their position alone plays an important role in a person’s facial appearance.

Once Eisenhuth, St. Paul Invisible Braces Expert, identifies which teeth to slenderize, she uses a small, flexible file strip- referred to as a lightning strip- to gently remove tiny layers of the enamel along the sides of the teeth, she said. The small amount of enamel removed does not affect the tooth, which remains healthy and sound.

This procedure creates the necessary space to allow the teeth to be shifted into place and fit closely together without being overcrowded. This shifting process helps Eisnehuth create an ideal bite pattern and appearance for each patient.

Because most teeth are wider at the bottom and taper slightly at the gum, interproximal reduction sometimes helps prevent what is known as a “black triangle.” This is the open space that often results when two neighboring teeth don’t fit tightly against each other near the gumline, which creates the appearance of a dark hole or space, Eisenhuth, a St. Paul Braces Expert, said.

“My goal as an orthodontist is to properly align each patient’s teeth in a manner that best promotes good oral health, and also to create the most aesthetically pleasing smile possible,” she said. “A black triangle can detract from that beautiful smile, so having a technique such as interproximal reduction at my disposal offers a simple, painless way to correct that.”

Once Eisenhuth has performed interproximal reduction on a patient, she may recommend a topical flouride treatment and a flouride rinse to use for a short time. This can help teeth maintain their resistance to tooth decay.

In some cases, patients may experience slightly increased tooth sensitivity in the area after interproximal reduction, but this can be alleviated by using a toothpaste designed for aiding in tooth sensitivity.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about the Eagan and St. Paul, MN orthodontics practice of Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or you would like to schedule a consultation with her, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: http://doctorjennifer.com/.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Eagan and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai Google SEO Marketing and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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