Moles Orthodontics, giving back to the community

As the leaves change, we realize that winter is just around the corner. And just as the seasons change, so do the times. We are reminded that many families have been affected by the tough economic times who need our help. Each year, the Hunger Task Force faces the challenge of a growing demand to supply food for those in need. Please help us male a difference in the lives of of others. One can of soup, one box of rice, one jar of baby food, one dollar, will tell someone you care.

We're again joining efforts with Dr. Ron Nellen and his staff to collect food for the Hunger Task Force. Since 2006, they've collected 12,339 pounds of food and more than $4,000! We are so proud to be a part of this effort and we have set our sights on collecting 6,000 pounds over the course of 4 weeks in our offices in Milwaukee, Racine and Brookfield.

We will be collecting donations until tomorrow, and hope you will join us in helping those less fortunate than ourselves this holiday season. Together we will make a difference!

Which three words best describe Moles Orthodontics?

Dr. Moles and our staff were recently asked, "What are the three words you would use to describe your office?" If patients had to describe our office in three words… those words would be, Cutting-edge, Caring, and Family-oriented.

There are so many words that could describe our office though, and were really proud of the great service we offer in a friendly atmosphere. Visit our website for testimonials! Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

If Dr. Moles could be ...

Recently, Dr. Moles was asked: "If you could be anything in the world other than an orthodontist, which profession would you like to try?"

Here's his response!

"I love what I do and would not want to do anything else. However if there was no orthodontic profession my guess I would have gone into plastic surgery since that is also an art combined with science. I was always interested in art and science as a student and I'm sure I would gravitate in that direction."

Not to worry, Dr. Moles is still with us, creating beautiful smiles in Milwaukee, Racine and Brookfield. Have a GREAT weekend!

5 reasons to visit Moles Orthodontics this summer for a consultation

With the country still in a recession, many folks are putting off visiting the orthodontist for a consultation. We hear all the reasons - vacations, chores, emergencies, et cetera. Today, Dr. Moles and our staff at Moles Orthodontics thought we'd give our prospective patients five reasons to visit our office this summer for an orthodontic consultation.

1) Tooth damage - Unfortunately due to eruption or the bite, teeth can become permanently damaged without the patient even knowing that it's happening. The sooner it is discovered the sooner it can be stopped.

2) Growth - For some patients that need changes to jaw shape or position there is often a window of opportunity during growth when it is the best time to do that. Once that time has passed the correction becomes harder or even impossible.

3) Scheduling - If teeth need to be removed it's often easier to schedule before school starts.

4) School - Patients don't need to miss school if the examination appointment is done in the summertime.

5) Getting done - The sooner that treatment is started the sooner it is finished.

And here's another reason: did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven? Give us a call at 414-529-4044 to schedule a consultation! Happy Monday!

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!

Patient question: "What's so cool about Moles Orthodontics?"

To help keep our younger patients busy, we have GameBoys and a cabinet with children’s toys to play with. We offer an espresso machine in our Milwaukee office. In our Racine office we offer flavored coffee, tea, apple cider and hot chocolate. In our waiting room there is a flat screen that shows pictures from patient’s who have had there braces off, testimonials, contest winners and just upcoming events in the office. As always magazines, books and the newspaper is located in our waiting room as well. We currently has Wi-Fi hooked up in our waiting room for patients to bring their laptops and work on the internet while they wait for their appointment, or their children’s appointments.

At each patient’s appointment whether they are an established patient or a patient who has never been to the office, we make it a point to explain everything from the first thing we do to the very last in detail. So the patient feels the most comfortable with the treatment they are about to be given.

Either Dr. Moles or Dr. Ferri would always be in the office and willing to come over and offer there expertise on any procedure to ease a new patient’s worries before they get their braces.

We also started a new program in the office, called the Passport. Patients of any age can bring these with to appointments and earn stamps that go inside what looks like to be a real passport. The stamps can be redeemed for gift cards. And they can earn all different denominations for the gift cards. Stamps are very easy to obtain as well.

Patients will earn stamps for 1) being on time to their appointment 2) receiving an A for brushing. (brushing grades are A thru F) this help’s younger patients stay on top of their oral hygiene. Stamps are given out for a few other criteria once in treatment with braces. Patients are loving the Passport program so far!

We also offer tooth brushes and tooth paste to our patients to brush before they come back for their appointment to help keep those braces shiny and new!

The technology we offer and the highest quality of treatment we offer here at Moles Orthodontics is unmatched. We don’t settle for so-so treatment and really aim for the best result a patient could imagine! We want them to be in love with their smile when they finish with us.

Here is a testimonial from Google that speaks for itself!

The orthodontist of my dreams!‎‎

By Jeraline - Mar 11, 2010

I started my orthodonic treatment 17 months ago at age 55. It was tough growing up, being called names because of unattractive teeth. When I first met Dr. Moles he assured me he could give me a "Knock-em-dead" smile. At my age, I wondered? With each visit I was able to see the progression to my final goal. His staff are professional, caring, genuinely warm people whom I have grown to admire. Appointments have little wait time if any at all. Next month I have my braces removed and I cannot wait to see how my "bucky beaver" smile has been transformed to one that I can truly love. To Dr. Moles and his staff I thank you for making a dream come true.♥‎

Ask Dr. Moles: what’s the deal with flossing?

Flossing is so important! And these simple 6 reasons will change your mind and make you want to take the time to floss daily.

First things first, flossing prevents tooth decay, plaque left in between the teeth can cause decay even if you’re a avid brusher. Not to mention to prevent gum disease, halitosis, and tarter build up. Which some people are more prone to those three, that they need to floss more than once a day. In the morning and at night is recommended then. The last two are just as equally important, flossing aids in reducing the risk of heart disease and avoiding complications of diabetes. Scientific evidence has shown that a person with diabetes can see their case complicate due to gum disease.

We encourage all of our patients to floss regularly and even offer them floss and floss threaders to make flossing a cinch!

Taking ten minutes out of the day to really do a proper flossing of your teeth, can really save your gums, your health, and the people around you! Only brushing daily will not eliminate odor’s from bacteria lodged between your teeth. Which in turn even if you have brushed that day, that odor can still linger.

With braces and permanent retainers flossing is not an option. It becomes even more important. People with braces or other appliances in the mouth, need to be even more aware of the plague that will build up and collect on those appliances. Floss threaders work for both braces and a permanent retainer. We offer those in the office for all of our patients. They can even be found in local drug stores or super markets.

FLOSS ONCE A DAY TO KEEP THE PLAQUE AND BUILD-UP AWAY!

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.

Moles Orthodontics, reminding you to protect your mouth this summer

June is here, summer is nearly here, and for our team at Moles Orthodontics, that means it's time to once again remind our patients to protect themselves (and their teeth) while out on the field this summer.

To prevent your teeth from being chipped, broken or knocked out we recommend that all patients wear a mouth guard. Whether they are currently in treatment or had treatment many years ago. Invisalign retainers can help protect your teeth but we still recommend that your teeth are thoroughly protected by an actual mouth guard. When playing any type of physical activity or sports you will want to take your retainers out and store them in a safe place. Especially when you have braces you will want to wear a sports mouth guard, preferably a mouth guard that does not form to your teeth. The mouth guard that forms to your mouth will prevent your teeth from making progress and moving.

If you happen to have your tooth chipped or broken, you should call your dentist’s emergency line. A dentist can give you the options on how they can treat and how to go about fixing a chipped or broken tooth. An orthodontist should be called in an emergency if there is a severe problem with the orthodontic appliances.

Instead of recommending sports drinks, water is still the very best thing you can drink to stay hydrated during sports and physical activity. Water is always the absolute best for keeping your teeth and body healthy!

We hope you enjoyed Memorial Day weekend! Great to be back to work perfecting our patients' bites!

This Memorial Day, what are you up to? From Dr. Moles

The unofficial kickoff to summer—Memorial Day weekend—is just a day away. It's a time for Americans to remember all those men and women who bravely gave their lives and fought for our country.

For many people in Milwaukee, Racine, Brookfield and surrounding communities, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or office spells sweet relief. At Moles Orthodontics, we know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, Memorial Day means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is on the way.

What about you? Whether you're headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just hitting the great American open roads, our entire team would like to hear all about it!

We hope you have a relaxing Memorial Day weekend!!

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's new at Moles Orthodontics?

Recently, the team at Moles Orthodontics were asked, "What's new at your practice? What was so different about this past year?" Here are Dr. Moles' thoughts:

This was a super year to be an orthodontist! This year we became one of only a handful of practices in the world to combine 3D x-ray with SureSmile. This allows us for the first time to see how the roots of the teeth will actually move during treatment. This is a huge advancement since precise positioning of the roots is the foundation for the teeth and the bite.

When you consider that just a few tenths of a millimeter can cause a tooth to move, or fracture or even trigger jaw pain you can see how important this is. We also began offering SureSmile Lingual (behind the teeth), which is a wonderful option for those patients who want the cosmetics of Invisalign but have a problem that Invisalign cannot handle. One of the wonderful things that happened to our practice was that we were honored by our peers by being voted one of Milwaukee's Top Orthodontists. This is no small accomplishment since there are so many orthodontists in the area. Rest assured we will continue to live up to that honor!

Happy New Year!

Moles orthodontics wishes you happy holidays!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as the team at Moles Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2010? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Moles orthodontics with a reminder: Don't cut back on braces!

With the economic slump some patients will come in and ask "is orthodontic treatment is really necessary" or "how long can I put this treatment off". Of course orthodontic treatment is not a life and death matter—and sometimes the treatment can be delayed—however putting it off can be expensive, Dr. Moles says. The unfortunate thing is that crooked teeth don't hurt! That may sound strange but if crooked teeth would hurt it would be easier for the patient to feel the significant damage that might be happening.

There is a lot of "silent" (non painful) damage that can occur when teeth are out of alignment. A person can exert up to 1,500 lbs per square inch during chewing and beyond that the teeth come together around 2,500 times a day just in swallowing! If teeth don't fit the result can be excessive wear, fractures in the teeth, damage to the bone supporting the teeth and even damage to the jaw joints.

Much of this can happen without the patient being aware of it until something suddenly breaks. Also, crooked teeth can be very hard to keep clean, teeth can stain and decay rapidly. Unfortunately, the cost of the repairs can greatly exceed the cost of orthodontics. Years ago this was not a big problem. People simply did not live as long. It's wonderful that we are living longer! However, the old adage of "a stitch in time - saves nine" couldn't be more appropriate today. Investing in orthodontic treatment today can save a lot of money in the future!

Hope this helps! Give Moles Orthodontics a call if you have any questions!