The importance of visiting your dentist during treatment, from Moles Orthodontics

Are you brushing teeth twice a day and flossing during your orthodontic treatment? If the answer is yes, we think that’s great! But, Dr. Moles and our team at Moles Orthodontics would like to remind you to visit your general dentist every six months (or as recommended) in addition to taking good care of your oral health during orthodontic treatment. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

•Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
•Detect cavities and early signs of decay
•Treat oral health problems early
•Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will 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, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

Hope this helps. Give us a call if you have any questions. Happy New Year!

3D at Moles Orthodontics!

At Moles Orthodontics, we are very excited about 3D ORTHODONTICS! This is the combination of the SureSmile System which we have been using now for over 6 years and 3 dimensional X-ray scanning using the i-Cat system. This now allows us to see the actual movements not only of the top of the teeth, but also the roots of the teeth. Before, we were limited to seeing only 1/2 of each tooth (the crown portion). With 3D Orthodontics, we can now see the entire tooth, how it will move and how it relates to the movement of all the teeth around it (see the above picture).

For more on 3D orthodontics, we invite you to give us a call at (414) 529-4044 or ask Dr. Moles next time you're in for a visit!

Moles Orthodontics, supporting the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation

We are delighted to bring the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation to Southeastern Wisconsin and would like you to be a part of creating exciting, positive changes in the lives of eight local, well-deserving children.

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation was launched in 2008 as a charitable non-profit organization. This national organization sponsors the orthodontic care of hundreds of children each year who need assistance due to financial challenges or special situations. Moles Orthodontics has three convenient offices in Milwaukee, Racine and Brookfield.

My staff and I are partnering with the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation to give the gifts of healthy smiles to underserved children in our community. Our mission is to create self-confidence, inspire hope and improve the futures of these children in a dramatic way.

We invite you to nominate a deserving child who meets the requirements for treatment. Please visit our website to download an application. Applicants are chosen on a quarterly basis.

Ask Dr. Moles: How do you keep up with the latest orthodontic technology?

Dr. Moles has always moved in the same direction as technology. As technology changes, our approach to orthodontics does as well. Our office embraces that change, because we want the absolute best treatment for our patients. Some offices are afraid to move forward and dive into something that may take more work, and stick with the traditional approach to orthodontics. Not moving forward with technology changes can leave other offices left in the dust, and their patients in braces for an average of 40-50 percent longer.

We not only changed the way we do orthodontic treatment, we’ve changed in all areas of the office. We’ve gone completely paperless, to help eliminate cross- contamination. We have updated our X-ray equipment, to the latest 3d Cat machine, which is really important because Dr. Moles has the best view now of the patients roots. That’s crucial when moving teeth. He’s one of only a few orthodontists in the area implementing this technology into the practice. Also, we have the ability to text message and remind patients of their orthodontic appointments, which they love. They can handle their account and make payments online as well.

We’ve also gotten our hands in the social networks. Our office loves Facebook and being able to share new pictures with our patients online. They get a better look at the office personally, not only professionally. It really gives people who currently aren’t with our practice a chance to see some cool things about our office and professional staff. It's really a lot of fun communicating online with our patients.

If you have any questions about Moles Orthodontics or other ways how we stay up-to-date with the latest technology, please give us a call!

What are patients saying about Moles Orthodontics?

Recently, we had a chance to ask our patients what they liked most about Moles Orthodontics. Here's what they had to say:

"Professional atmosphere of office including attire and attitude." ~ Peter J.

"Wonderful service and very generous - also best staff I`ve seen." ~ Giuseppe A.

"Professional knowledge, professional office staff, reputable and friendly. Like the ease of checking in at the office and the access to my records, account, etc." ~ Kathleen S.

"I have been very impressed so far with the attention to detail, efficiency and technology that is in use in the practice- Time is a very important commodity- and you are mastering the use of it in daily practice and policy." ~ Kathy S.

Questions, questions, questions...

From the moment patients enter Moles Orthodontics, they feel a sense of warmth, welcoming and individual care. Some ask Dr. Moles a lot of questions about their orthodontic treatment, while others choose to just "go with the flow." And that's understandable.

But for those who do ask questions, one of the most frequently asked questions is “Will it hurt?” and “How long will these be on?”

We explain to the patient despite what they’ve heard about braces - they DO NOT hurt to have them initially put on. The soreness will come later when the teeth start to move. Too often patients hear horror stories about how much it hurt to get the braces on, in which case they typically over-exaggerate. After the braces are on, almost all patients say “that’s it?” meaning it was actually really easy and painless!

Dr. Moles answers the other questions in the exam. When a patient comes in for a new exam, they are told an estimate of how long it will take to get that perfect smile. All other questions are answered at the bonding appointment, when the braces first go on. We cover it all from eating to brushing with the braces. It is VERY rare that a patient ever calls back with questions. Our staff is really thorough and always goes over everything. As a patient, that’s one thing they never have to worry about - they always know what’s going on.

Ask Dr. Moles: What does being an orthodontist mean to you?

Very early in my career someone said to me that being an orthodontist is like being a "slow-motion plastic surgeon." And as I think of it that is exactly what I feel it is. I have the chance to make life-changing differences for people. I mean things that not only make them look better, but that translates into them feeling better about themselves. And if you buy into the concept that how we feel about ourselves has an effect on our overall stress level, and thus our immune system, the possibility for making a difference in someone’s life is amazing!

Even as a youngster, I had always been a "helper" in some way or another and this profession fits nicely into my personality type. Moreover, as a kid I was a pretty good artist and model maker, and in that way orthodontics is really more of the same. I feel that I am really blessed, because orthodontics is like doing a hobby that you love and that someone pays you to do. So what could be better, doing something that's fun, helping people become healthier and to feel better about themselves. And at this time in my career, I am even able to share over thirty years of learning with the newer members of our profession, which is really gratifying and a lot of fun too!

-- Dr. Moles

Ask Moles Orthodontics: What does it mean to be a Schulman Study Group practice?

Dr. Moles is a member of The Schulman Study Group (SSG), a nationally recognized association of prominent—among the top 1 percent—orthodontic practices. Recently, Dr. Moles was approached and asked, "What does it mean to you and Moles Orthodontics to be a member of The Schulman Study Group?" Dr. Moles thought about it, and here's what he has to say:

To be invited into the Schulman Orthodontic Study Group is truly one of the highlights of my career! I should explain why it is such an honor. To put things in perspective less than 1% of all the orthodontists in the country are Schulman members. Moreover, it's not a group that you can just join. To become a member of the Schulman group you must be invited by one of the members. Then you must present statistics on your practice to prove you meet the standards of acceptance. You are then voted on by the members of the group. It is definitely the best of the best study group.

During the year Schulman members are in constant contact, sharing all sorts of ideas in order to improve what we do and how we do it. Once a year we meet for a week, sharing ideas and having guest speakers on all aspects of orthodontics. I can honestly say that being a member of the Schulman Study Group has made me a better orthodontist and helped me to serve my patients better!

Ask Dr. Moles: What does "One of the best in Milwaukee" mean to you?

This year our office was voted by other dentists into Milwaukee Magazine's top dentists and orthodontists. I actually heard the news from another dentist who called and congratulated me on winning the honor. It was a total surprise!

I had received the mailing and voted a few months earlier, but I had not given it another thought. To have been one of only a few doctors chosen for this honor is a bit like winning an Academy Award in dentistry! Like the Academy Awards it is only by the votes of other professionals that one gets this kind of award. Needless to say it was a wonderful feeling to have been so honored. I am very grateful for the wonderful associates and staff that I have, for without them I do not think this award would have been possible.

--Dr. Moles

What can you expect at Moles Orthodontics?

When you first walk in the door at Moles Orthodontics you’re greeted by the friendliest front desk, which eases peoples' nerves instantly. Then you're offered a beverage -- you may choose from a selection that includes hot coffee, tea, apple cider, hot chocolate or water.

While our patients are waiting they can view our flat-screen TV, which shows pictures of patients who have gotten their braces off. Seeing that gets patients who are ready to start treatment very excited! They see an outcome, and then can’t wait to see theirs.

Once we bring them back to the operatory, they notice it's a wide open area. This usually creates a safer feeling. They are out in the open and know everything that’s going on around them.

If the appointment is a little longer than usual, we offer video players for patients to watch DVDs. Or, they can bring in their own! The video player actually has a set of glasses with which you are able to see the movie. Patients love these!

The lights above the chair are basically a ceiling on top of another ceiling. This makes the lights easier on the patients' eyes when they are tipped back during appointments.

Another great incentive for our patients is that they are graded on their oral hygiene at every visit -- the more A's, the better chance they have to win. The winner receives a gift card of their choice.

At Moles Orthodontics, we really try to make the best experience possible for the patients, just as we would like to have at an appointment for ourselves.

Happy Thanksgiving!