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!!

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

State of the Art SureSmile Technology at Moles Orthodontics

We've blogged about SureSmile before, but today, we wanted to show it to you in action! Check out exactly how exciting it is when the expertise and experience of our Milwaukee orthodontist, meets the precision of a robot:



Call us at 414-377-4106 to learn more!

--Dr. Moles

Moles Orthodontics Around the Web

If you've ever visited us at Moles Orthodontics, you already know that we love connecting with our patients. We love the ability to communicate with all of you online too! Besides our web site and our blog, Moles Orthodontics is on many other networks too!

* Share a video with us, or watch one of ours on YouTube

* Become a "fan" of Moles Orthodontics on Facebook

* View and comment on our photos on MySpace

See you around the web!

--Moles Orthodontics

Summer Fun with Moles Orthodontics!

Its summer here at Moles Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

-From Moles Orthodontics

Gum Disease Can Sneak Up on You! - Moles Orthodontics

It’s easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position
• Any change in the way partial dentures fit

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, make an appointment right away by calling 414-377-4106. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

Helping Patients Be Sure About Their Smile

SureSmile has recently become one of the most talked about new orthodontic technologies! Orthodontists everywhere are starting to offer SureSmile braces to patients; and, patients are starting to find out that there are several great advantages to a SureSmile treatment.

At Moles Orthodontics we have been providing SureSmile treatments since 2004. Today there are hundreds of practices offering SureSmile, and we are proud to have been the first practice in the state of Wisconsin to offer SureSmile and one of only about 30 practices nationwide. Dr. Moles has extensive training with using SureSmile and has worked with Orametrix® (the parent company that owns SureSmile) to give lectures and train other orthodontists who wish to use SureSmile.

SureSmile is a first choice for many of our patients who want:

• Shorter treatment times
• Fewer office visits
• Less overall discomfort

Find out what our patients have to say about the SureSmile treatment they’ve received at Moles Orthodontics. If you’d like to find out more about SureSmile, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Moles, please contact our practice at (262) 672-4226. Be sure about your smile with SureSmile!

What's So Special About an Orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Moles started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Moles decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Why Is it So Important to Have Straight Teeth?

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 414-377-4106 to set up a consultation. Dr. Moles can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Toothbrush Trivia

Before the toothbrush was invented, many people actually

brushed their teeth with sticks!

The first time in history that people actively cleaned their teeth was between 4000 and 3000 BC in ancient Babylon (the site where Iraq is now). The Babylonians used “chew sticks” – thin twigs or tree roots that were chewed at the end to loosen the fibers and then used like brushes.

Between 2000 and 1000 BC the ancient Chinese used similar twigs to clean their teeth. But the Chinese took it one step further and used twigs from trees with a nice smell. (Perhaps this was an early attempt at breath freshening?)

The next time you brush your teeth, take a moment to be thankful that you have a nice, clean toothbrush with soft bristles – instead of a stick!