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!

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!

A Braces-Friendly Holiday Treat, from Moles Orthodontics

This holiday season, Moles Orthodontics recommends a delicious braces-friendly recipe that is sure to be a great treat. This pumpkin cake recipe is a great choice for thanksgiving for people of all ages with braces. Plus, it tastes GREAT and is BRACES-FRIENDLY!!

Ingredients:

1 pkg yellow or white cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
1/4 cup water (add 2 tbl. of water if eggs are small)

Directions:

Put cake mix in a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center and pour in the oil and one egg. Mix using mixer at medium speed, then add the rest of the eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Add pumpkin, sugar, spices, then water. Bake in greased and floured tube pan in 350 degree over for 60-70 minutes. Cool before removing from pan. Makes a moist and delicious cake--no frosting required.

Patients can feel free to enjoy their Thanksgiving meal. But we would like to remind you there are a couple of offenders on the list of holiday foods. Here’s a list to help you decide:

Good:
Turkey (cut up in small pieces)
Stuffing (with no nuts)
Mashed Potatoes with gravy
Cranberry sauce
Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole (minus the crunchy onion topping)
Cornbread
Pumpkin Pie

Not Good:
Corn on the Cob
Pecan Pie
Any pies with Nuts in them

As always, patients should use their best judgment. Some things that may seem okay to eat can still break appliances. Be careful and enjoy this treat!

--Dr. Moles and team

What do we love here at Moles Orthodontics?

Debands. Our office absolutely loves debands, because the first time the patient gets to see their new smile – you’re with them. There’s one patient in particular who gave us goose-bumps. She was so excited for her braces and then even more excited when they came off. When I say even more excited when they came off- I mean she cried, and they were of course happy tears! She came around and thanked and hugged us all.

It just gave us all such a great feeling to know and see how happy she was, and how much it changed her life. She even keeps her before pictures in her wallet and shows people when they ask her about her teeth or compliment her. Seeing how much we can really affect somebody’s life by making a change in their smile is really fulfilling. It’s the absolute best part of our jobs here at Moles Orthodontics.

Let’s talk about teeth - Dr. Moles

The average adult has about 28-32 - depending on - wisdom teeth. If they need wisdom teeth extracted - they have 28, if they are able to keep wisdom teeth they could have up to 32. Not all wisdom teeth grow in. Some people have all 4 some have only 1. It can really change from mouth to mouth.

We lose our first set of teeth basically because as we grow so does our jaw/mouth. If we grow permanent teeth right away as a small child, they would not fit and would automatically be crowded. They would basically be far too large for our mouths.

Teeth are made of enamel, dentin and pulp.

If you think you may have a cavity you should see your dentist right away before it worsens. You can usually tell or have an idea you may have one if the color of your tooth changes, or your having pain in an area or tooth you haven’t had it before.

People get cavities because they are either prone to them, bad oral hygiene, and too many sugary or sweet food/ drinks.

The wearing away of the enamel or large roots (sensitive roots) can make teeth sensitive to hot and cold. Enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body.

Wisdom teeth are just your 3rd molars. Typically most people have these and end up having them extracted, because they don’t have enough room in there mouths and the wisdom teeth usually crowd the rest of the teeth in the mouth.

Even if you have enough room in your mouth for them the dentist/orthodontist may still suggest you have them out, due to hygiene. It can be very difficult to clean around them and that’s a better chance for calculus/decay to erode the teeth and cause damage later.

Our teeth become discolored because of our daily habits ex: eating certain foods (fruits and veggies) drinks (dark sodas, coffee, teas, wine etc.) tobacco, poor dental hygiene, diseases, aging, genetics, environment, trauma to a tooth (due to a fall) and medications. So as you can see there are a lot of variables when it comes to how teeth discolor. There are so many factors.

Crooked teeth can be genetic but are not always. Crooked teeth can be caused from wisdom teeth coming in, grinding, and the way your bite is aligned. It isn’t always genetic.

Why I Became an Orthodontist, By Dr. Moles

I wanted to be an orthodontist since I was 12 years old. I wanted to go into medicine of some sort, and orthodontics seemed like it would really be fun. Orthodontists make people look better and help them feel better about themselves. Orthodontics is sort of like plastic surgery but in slow motion! We now even call moving the teeth forward on older adults that makes the lips fuller a "brace lift"!

I really enjoy working with the patients and seeing the joy they have in their eyes when they see the transformation that has occurred after the braces are removed. For me, orthodontics is my hobby and I am luck enough to get paid to do something that I love. I'm very fortunate to have such a wonderful staff that enjoys working with people to create transformation in their lives!

--Dr. Randall Moles

Now That I Have Braces, What Can I Eat? - Dr. Randall Moles

You just got braces and the orthodontist has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!
Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Regular Checkups Are Important!

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit the dentist every six months in addition to your regular orthodontic visits. 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!

Are There Teeth Grinders in Your House?

Grind, grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, especially a night grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Other symptoms of teeth grinding (technically called “bruxism”) include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

People frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, so taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. Here are some things you can try to stop grinding:

• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Relax right before bedtime with a warm bath or shower
• Help your jaw learn to relax by quitting any chewing habits (pens, pencils, gum)
• When clenching or grinding happens during the day, place your tongue between your teeth to serve as a reminder to avoid the habit

If grinding goes untreated, it can lead to chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, make an appointment to see us by calling 414-377-4106. Dr. Moles can help determine the cause of the problem and possibly even prescribe a custom mouthpiece to help break the habit.

New Technology at our practice

Because all of us at Moles Orthodontics want to provide our patients with the absolute best orthodontic treatment, we are constantly on the lookout for new technologies to make that possible. The latest addition to our practice is an Iluma 3 D CAT scanner. Rather than the 2 dimensional view of a standard x-ray, the Iluma provides us with a three dimensional image. We can now look at the teeth, roots and jaw joints from any angle!

The accuracy of these images is over ten times better than standard x-rays. Moreover, we can see details that are virtually impossible to see on a standard x-ray. Depending on the resolution needed, the Iluma accomplishes this with less radiation exposure than the standard series of x-rays used in orthodontics.

We are proud that our office was one of the first orthodontic offices to have 3D imaging in Wisconsin and the first to have the Iluma. It allows us to be more comprehensive in our diagnosis. When coupled with our SureSmile system, it can significantly increase the speed and accuracy of the orthodontic treatment that we deliver!

Before and After

Here are just a few of our patient's before and after treatment photos.

To see more before and after photos visit our website.

Meet Dr. Sanfelippo

Dr. Sanfelippo worked in two practices in the Milwaukee area over the course of three years. One of the practices was that of one of her orthodontic teachers at Marquette. She went on to start her own orthodontic practice in Franklin, WI in 1999. Dr. Lisa continued to serve the Franklin area for four years. She then joined the wonderful practice of Dr. Moles in 2003, bringing with her the established practice that she had in Franklin.

Dr. Lisa is married and has five children. She manages her and her husband's horse farm, "Traumerei Farm", where she raises young, purebred horses. She is active in showing and competing her horses in Dressage, an Olympic Equestrian sport. Her other interests include antique/classic cars, reading, running and gardening.

Dr. Lisa's philosophy is to give you a beautiful, healthy smile that you can enjoy for a lifetime!