Invisalign® Archives - Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth! – Alisha’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

It is the time of year when we gather for the holidays, take pictures with our families, and send Christmas cards to everyone! Having a beautiful smile certainly reminds us of the song from our childhood and resonates now as much as it did when we were the 6-year-olds with missing front teeth.

Meet Alisha, one of Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s long-time patients. In fact, Alisha was only a teenager when she and Dr. Elizabeth met. Alisha came into the practice with a history of trauma to her two front teeth. She was lucky in that she still had her teeth present, but the trauma caused the need for root canal treatments and overtime, the teeth darkened, cracked, and chipped. When Alisha was old enough and with a steady job, she wanted to invest in herself and change the appearance of her two front teeth.

What was recommended?

Alisha expressed an interest in Invisalign because she thought it might help her tooth esthetics. However, Alisha originally had a complicated bite and it was recommended that she undergo orthodontics with Dr. DeVoe, an orthodontic specialist. There was more to improving Alisha’s smile than esthetics alone. Improving her tooth bite was an important aspect for long-term stability. Dr. Elizabeth explained to Alisha about how orthodontics could enhance both tooth function and esthetics, but also help her change her mouth breathing habit. Dr. Elizabeth also explained to Alisha that completing restorations for her two front teeth after orthodontics would be enough to change the color and protect her teeth from more cracking and chipping. With this information, Alisha decided to move forward.

What did she want?

As a young professional, Alisha wanted to look better, but was also concerned about keeping the treatment affordable for her. Seeing as the treatment would involve her two front teeth, she was also nervous about the outcome. It took more than a couple years for her to feel confident about moving forward, but once she did, the progress moved along quickly. Dr. Elizabeth worked closely with Dr. DeVoe so the final tooth movements would set Alisha up for an amazing outcome.

What was involved?

To help Alisha’s case move more quickly, Dr. DeVoe recommended traditional brackets and wires for her orthodontic treatment. Because of this, he was able to correct her more complicated “cross-bite” and create symmetry in her gum-tissue levels. This symmetry is especially important when gum tissues show during smiling like it does for Alisha. After the orthodontics was complete, Alisha worked with Dr. Elizabeth to prepare her two front teeth for all porcelain crowns, complete one filling on a discolored tooth with decay, and cement the crowns into place. Alisha chose to keep the color of her teeth more natural as she wasn’t interested in the potential maintenance involved with bleaching procedures.

What does she think?

Alisha was very open about the fact that she was nervous about the outcome for her treatment since it would impact her smile so much. But, having been with Dr. Elizabeth for many years she knew it would go well. “I am very pleased with how it all came out. It didn’t take as long or hurt like I thought it would.” Many patients are just like Alisha, very nervous to start the process that can so vastly impact their lives. Not only does dentistry like this enhance esthetics, it does a lot to improve confidence. When we asked Alisha what she would tell someone considering treatment she said, “If you can afford it, do it! My teeth and my smile are going to last a long time. It’s not just esthetic – it’s practical, it’s tooth security!”

Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff work very hard to keep their promise of “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles” for their patients and Alisha is another great example of that! We truly hope that Alisha and all of our patients are enjoying the holiday season. If you are looking for a way to make changes and create your new beautiful smile, call Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, Minnesota today, 651-482-8412.

New Crowns and Veneers – Not Scary at All! – Joy’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Eggert Family Dentistry is celebrating 20 years this October! Joy has been there with Dr. Elizabeth the whole time! In 1993, Joy fell and experienced trauma to her front teeth. She had root canals and crowns done at that time, but was starting to notice a crack in the porcelain of one of the crowns and she didn’t like the staining that showed. She also wondered about better color matching for all her front teeth since at that time, only 2 teeth had crowns. For a few years, she asked Dr. Elizabeth what could be done, but was always nervous to move forward with treatment because she couldn’t decide if she was willing to accept her currently darker coloring or if she wanted something brighter and younger looking for her smile. She also now has Parkinson’s disease and notices that caring for her teeth is getting more difficult, as well as sitting through dental treatment, so she didn’t want to keep putting off the decision.

What was recommended?

Dr. Elizabeth verified the recommended treatment using photographs and 3D models of Joy’s teeth. Joy wanted to improve the color of her teeth, making everything brighter. Therefore, it was recommended to do porcelain restorations for all 4 of her upper front teeth. That way, the old crowns could be replaced and the other front teeth could also be better protected where wear and cracking was starting. Since Joy also wanted brighter teeth throughout her mouth, it was recommended that she start with bleaching so the rest of the teeth could be brighter too!

What was involved?

Joy wondered about her lower teeth and if anything could be done for the crowding, but she didn’t want to undergo Invisalign so she decided to just move ahead with the bleaching and upper restorations. Dr. Elizabeth worked up Joy’s case by mocking up a proposal on Joy’s models, looking at how the crowding in the lower teeth contributed to the slight length discrepancy of her front teeth.

Dr. Elizabeth suggested making the front teeth the same length which would also require adjusting on Joy’s lower teeth. Joy thought this was a better idea for her than Invisalign, so they moved ahead with the plan.

Joy started with Zoom whitening, which really helped her teeth brighten up multiple shades and allowed Joy to have all her teeth brightened, while minimizing the number of restorations.

Joy underwent the preparation appointment. Dr. Elizabeth noticed that Joy’s previously traumatized teeth were especially dark from the trauma. She worked to mask the color difference as much as possible, but informed Joy that perfect color matching might not be possible. Joy accepted that since she really wanted to keep her teeth, rather than extract them and replace with implants. So, after a couple of weeks, Dr. Elizabeth inserted Joy’s porcelain restorations – 2 veneers and 2 crowns.

What does Joy think?

After the procedures were completed we met with Joy to reevaluate her restorations and see how she was feeling about the treatment. She reported that everything was been feeling great and that her bite felt good. We asked Joy what she thought about getting the procedures done. She noted, “It was kind of scary. I knew a lot would be involved so I was scared.” In the end, Joy said the process was better than she thought it would be – actually, not scary at all! Joy told us, “I am so happy with it. I was looking a little dull so this brightens my smile, but it’s not over the top – it’s just enough! It’s better!” When we asked her what she would tell a friend or relative who was considering the same treatment, she said “It’s worth the investment!”

You look fabulous Joy and we appreciate your trust in us for over 20 years! We look forward to continuing to bring you “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles!”

Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Orthodontic Option is Right for You?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When it comes to straightening your teeth and achieving a healthier, more functional smile, today’s orthodontic options offer more choices than ever. Two of the most common treatments are traditional braces with wires and brackets and Invisalign clear aligners. Each method has its advantages and is suited to different types of orthodontic cases. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about your treatment—and at Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, Dr. Jeff Eggert and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert are here to guide you every step of the way.

Traditional Brackets and Wires

Traditional braces have been used for decades and remain an excellent option for more complex cases. If you have significant bite issues, severe crowding, or complex tooth movements that need to occur, your orthodontist may recommend metal or ceramic braces. These systems are extremely effective and allow for precise control over tooth movement. However, they are more visible and can sometimes be more difficult to clean around, which requires extra attention to oral hygiene throughout your treatment.

Invisalign

Invisalign, on the other hand, offers a more discreet and flexible option. This system uses a series of clear aligners to gradually shift your teeth into place. Invisalign is best suited for mild to moderate crowding, spacing issues, or minor bite adjustments. Because the aligners are removable, they allow you to eat and clean your teeth with ease. However, their success depends on your commitment—you need to wear them at least 20-22 hours per day to get the best results.

How to Choose?

Orthodontists often choose between these treatments based on your specific case, your age, your lifestyle, and the complexity of tooth movement required. Traditional braces can treat a wider range of issues, while Invisalign offers a more convenient and esthetically pleasing alternative for those who qualify. At Eggert Family Dentistry, while Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth don’t take on every orthodontic case, they do provide Invisalign treatment for many patients and have the expertise to guide you into which path is right for you.

If your case requires more advanced intervention, the Eggert’s work closely with trusted orthodontic specialists in the area. Even if you’re referred out, they stay actively involved in your care—monitoring your progress and helping guide the orthodontist to ensure your final results are as favorable as possible. And once your orthodontic treatment is complete, Eggert Family Dentistry can help you finish your smile with any necessary restorative work such as bonding, whitening, or veneers.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about straightening your teeth or you’re looking for expert guidance on your current treatment, Eggert Family Dentistry is here to help you navigate your options. Call us today at 651.482.8412 to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert or Dr. Jeff Eggert. We’ll work with you to create a personalized plan that supports your oral health, confidence, and long-term success!

Keeping Your Invisalign Journey on Track: Tips for Success

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

What Is Invisalign?

Invented in the late 1990’s and first marketed in 2000, Invisalign^® is a less invasive, more aesthetic alternative to traditional braces. The Invisalign journey consists of a series of see-through trays, or aligners, that a patient swaps out regularly to help realign teeth into their proper position. These aligners are constructed of medical-grade thermoplastic polymers and are considered safe by the FDA.

Who Is and Who Isn’t a Candidate for Invisalign?

As opposed to traditional braces, the Invisalign journey requires a level of developmental maturity. Trays must be worn consistently, maintained properly, and swapped out at regular intervals per Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s or Dr. Jeff Eggert’s recommendations. Consequently, Invisalign is typically recommended for responsible adolescents and adults as opposed to young children.

If you’re dealing with active gum disease or other severe oral issues, or if you think your adolescent isn’t mature enough to properly manage their Invisalign aligners and treatment, traditional braces may still be the best choice.

Learn more in our article Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces: Which is Right for You?

Tips for a Successful Invisalign Journey!

To make your Invisalign treatment successful, keep these important tips in mind!

Practice good oral hygiene.

Good hygiene is always important, but because aligners fit snugly against teeth and create a sealed environment, it’s even more crucial during an Invisalign treatment. Thoroughly brushing your teeth after each meal and before putting your aligners back in will ensure that food particles don’t get trapped against your teeth, causing cavities, plaque build-up, or gum disease. Good oral care will also keep aligners from becoming stained and keep your breath and aligners fresh.

Wear your aligners for 20+ hours a day.When it comes to Invisalign success, consistency is key. It might take a little time to adjust to speaking while wearing your aligners. Don’t worry! You will adjust quickly. Be sure to keep your aligners in unless you’re eating or drinking anything other than water. Then, replace them as soon as you brush your teeth. The more consistent you are with the process, the more quickly you’ll see results.
Use aligner chewies for proper placement.Biting down on these soft cylinder “chewies” will reduce any gaps between your aligners and your teeth and ensure your aligners fit snugly. Chewies help ease discomfort from improperly fitting aligners and can be ordered through Invisalign. Using your plastic toothbrush handle can be an easy alternative for chewies.

Swap aligners at recommended intervals.Aligners need to be replaced every week or two. Keep track of which day you need to swap out your aligner, and don’t try to stretch the length of time you wear each one.

Tip: Use the Invisalign app! Not only does it remind you when it’s time to swap out your aligner, but it will also help you monitor your progress, manage your appointments, keep up on best practices, and get customer support.

Always hold onto your previous aligner.

That way, if your current aligner cracks or gets lost, you can revert to your previous aligner until you can talk with Eggert Family Dentistry about your next best plan!

Follow the protocol outlined by Dr. Elizabeth Eggert or Dr. Jeff Eggert.

Ultimately, we highly recommend you stick with all of Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s and Dr. Jeff Eggert’s recommendations. Each person’s Invisalign treatment is unique and our office will create a customized treatment plan that sets you up for success and helps you reach your goals.

Read Matthew’s Invisalign success story here! And, our latest patient of the month, “W’s” story here.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Invisalign journey and if it’s right for you, we’d love to see you for a consultation in our office! Schedule an appointment at Eggert Family Dentistry today by calling us at 651.482.8412.

My Lifetime of Dentistry for an Amazing Smile – W’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

W (patient name and face photos withheld at patient’s request) has been working with Dr. Elizabeth since she took the practice over from Dr. Jensen in 2005. Prior to that, W had been working with Dr. Jensen since the early 1990’s! In the 20 years Dr. Elizabeth has been working with W, he has undergone various dental treatments, including multiple implants, a bridge, and crowns. W has also undergone some periodontal therapy to help maintain his bone and gum tissues in their healthiest state. While working with Dr. Jensen, W did have anterior veneers placed. Unfortunately, W’s veneers were starting to decay and he was opening up space between his teeth due to heavy forces his bite was putting on his teeth. Dr. Elizabeth talked to W about replacing the veneers, but because of the heavy forces, she recommended the records process first.

What was recommended?

Back in 2011, W went through the records process with Dr. Elizabeth because his teeth were moving and because he started losing posterior teeth from root cracks. At that time, she recommended orthodontic treatment for W along with a plan to replace the veneers on his front teeth. At that time, W chose not to proceed with treatment. Fast forward to 2023 and W had decay that was causing the need to replace his veneers so W went through the records process again.

W has always had a “deep bite.” This means that his front and back teeth, especially for his lower arch are not at the same and even level (it is like there is a “step-down” from the anterior teeth to the posterior teeth). This deep bite causes excessive forces on his teeth, putting them at risk for breaking. Since 2011, W has lost more posterior teeth due to root cracks so again Dr. Elizabeth discussed the benefits of orthodontics to help even out W’s bite forces. However, we now have the option to do this for W with Invisalign. It was recommended that W undergo Invisalign with Dr. Elizabeth before replacing his upper and lower veneers.

What did he want?

W understood the benefits of moving his teeth to improve the forces. He wasn’t excited about the prospect of orthodontics, but agreed that he wanted his new veneers to last as long as possible and he understood that moving his teeth with Invisalign was a good way to help make that happen. He also noted he wanted to maintain his natural teeth for a lifetime and did not want any more missing teeth. He also was very sure that he did not want dentures, ever! After deep consideration and after putting his trust in Dr. Elizabeth, W agreed to move forward with Invisalign before replacing his veneers for his anterior teeth.

What was involved?

W’s Invisalign treatment required 30 aligners and was expected to take up to 15 months. However, W was so compliant with using his aligners as directed and keeping them in for 22 hours per day, that Dr. Elizabeth was able to recommend more frequent aligner changes and he was able to finish his Invisalign treatment in only seven months! Invisalign works wonders with motivated and compliant patients. The goals of Invisalign for W were to improve his deep bite, even out the spacing for his upper anterior teeth, and create symmetry for his gum tissue levels.

The photos show W’s smile after Invisalign. It is possible to see more of W’s lower anterior teeth now because his deep bite was addressed. Due to the wear on W’s teeth and their original positioning, there is still a “step” in his bite until the restorations are done.

After Invisalign was completed, W and Dr. Elizabeth went through the planning stages for his new veneers. She was able to plan for veneers for W’s lower anterior teeth, but the upper teeth would now be porcelain crowns to help fill in the spaces between W’s upper teeth. Twelve all porcelain restorations were planned for W.

W elected to sit through a full day with Dr. Elizabeth to prepare all twelve teeth for his new restorations. It was a tiring day, but he was a trooper! Two days later, Dr. Elizabeth had him back to finalize his temporaries and zero-in on his bite. Since W was fatigued and numb on the prep day, it was nice to be able to address the bite at the later time. At that time, W reported he was doing very well and was happy with how everything looked in the temporary phase.

Three weeks later, W’s restorations were ready and Dr. Elizabeth cemented them in and final scans were taken to fabricate W’s Invisalign retainers.

What does he think?

W was very open and honest about how he felt about the plan and process throughout the course of treatment. He admitted that he was very reluctant to do it all but glad that he did move forward. He especially was hesitant to do Invisalign treatment, but admitted, “It actually was not as bad as I thought it would be. Once I got used to the aligners it was ok. I was dreading the treatment time for Invisalign, but it went really well.”

We asked W what he would tell a friend or family member that was considering the same or similar treatment he said, “You need to trust your dentist and if you believe that it’s a good thing, then do it. You are not the professional! Have faith and trust your dentist.”

After W’s final bite and reevaluation appointment, he sent a very kind letter to Dr. Elizabeth. It really meant a lot to her to hear what W had to say. He noted “You had suggested this several years ago and I declined. What changed my mind was your professional opinion that this was necessary for my oral health. I have faith and trust in you as a professional and I realized not to follow your advice would be foolish on my part…As it turned out, the experience was not as dreadful as I expected it to be. Through this process, you and your team were wonderful. You were careful and made sure every step of the process was done exactly right, checking and rechecking as necessary. That made me feel very confident and ensured the success of the process. Thank you for the excellent work you did and please thank your team. They too should be proud of the excellent work they do for the patients of Eggert Family Dentistry.”

Thank you, W for trusting us with your smile! Also, thank you for your kind words. We treasure when patients are happy and it feels good to be recognized for the help we can provide! We look forward to working with you for many more years to come.

“I Want a Bright and Beautiful Smile!” – Shelley’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Shelley has been a long-time patient of Eggert Family Dentistry and was interested in Invisalign treatment as she felt that her teeth were crooked and she wanted to have a smile that she felt good about in family pictures. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert recommended that she go through the complete Records Process to analyze her bite and airway as well. Dr. Elizabeth wondered if there was more at play due to information that Shelley has shared with us over the years. Shelley also wanted to learn more about sleep appliances as she uses a CPAP.

What did she want?

Shelley wanted to have a white, bright, and beautiful smile. She wanted to feel good about her smile in family pictures, and with the many moments in the future that would be captured, she wanted to be confident about her smile and be able to enjoy and cherish these memories.

What was recommended?

Through the records process and with information from her doctor, it was determined that the position of Shelley’s front teeth and the existing wear likely are at least partially due to airway compromises, both at night and during the day. To correct the crowding, it was recommended that Shelley start with Invisalign. Through this process, Dr. Elizabeth would be able to unravel the crowding. However, it was noted Shelley’s tongue and arch form needed more space than her teeth would allow, so Invisalign would create spacing between her teeth. Dr. Elizabeth talked with Shelley about restoring her upper front teeth with crowns or veneers after Invisalign to account for the space discrepancy and to help protect the enamel that Shelley has worn away over the years.

What was involved?

Once the Invisalign was completed, Shelley did some whitening to brighten her smile and prepare for her restorations. Impressions were taken to develop a wax-up or “blue print.” It was only necessary to do restorations for Shelley’s upper front six teeth to help with the spacing issue and to better protect her enamel. Shelley was happy with the wax-up and so Dr. Elizabeth Eggert prepared her teeth and the restorations were fabricated. It was necessary to do more extensive porcelain restorations for Shelley – crowns that covered the whole tooth, because of existing fillings in those teeth. Zirconia crowns were done. Zirconia is a very strong all-porcelain material that has become very esthetic as well. More and more, it is being chosen for even front teeth.

What does she think?

We asked Shelley what she thought once the Invisalign and restorations were all completed and what she thought about the whole process. She said, “This is awesome and I’ve gotten a lot of compliments.” “Everything was great and went very smoothly – you guys were perfect!” When asked what advice she would offer a friend or family member thinking of changing their smile, she said, “Prepare and be patient, but I’m so happy I did this!” Congratulations Shelley! We love working with patients like you! If you’ve been thinking about improving your smile, contact us today to learn more about what Eggert Family Dentistry can do for you! 651-482-8412.

“I’d Like to Get Some Veneers” – The Dental Journey for Kris

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Kris came to Eggert Family Dentistry as a new patient in the summer of 2021, looking for a clinic closer to home after she had moved to the area. Kris had been through Invisalign treatment in recent years, but her teeth had relapsed and she wasn’t happy with how things had changed. She also noted that she had a small mouth and a gag reflex that made it difficult for her to tolerate x-rays. Dr. Elizabeth was curious, wondering if Kris might have a compromised airway? At her new patient appointment, Kris asked Dr. Elizabeth, “I’d like to get some veneers, but what would be involved?” Kris told Dr. Elizabeth that previously a different dentist told her she would not be a candidate for veneers due to her bite. Elizabeth believed that Kris would be a candidate for veneers, but suspected that some tooth movement first would be best. So, Dr. Elizabeth welcomed Kris to undergo the records process with her in order to figure out how to get Kris the smile she deserves!

What did Kris want?

Kris’ main objective was to have whiter and bigger teeth. She wanted to be able to eat without any limitations and have her teeth show in her smile. She was sure it would give her so much more confidence. She had friends who had had veneers done on their teeth and she loved the result. What she didn’t know until undergoing the records process was why her teeth had relapsed after her last Invisalign treatment and why she had such a severe gag reflex. Dr. Elizabeth noticed that her tooth positions were putting strain on her tongue and it looked like her tongue craved more space. Dr. Elizabeth believed by addressing this, she could help Kris have a much more stable end result, a better airway, and set her up for beautiful veneers. Therefore, Kris started her treatment with Invisalign.

What was involved?

Kris underwent Invisalign treatment with goals to improve her crowding, expand her arch, create space for porcelain veneers, level her gum tissue, and provide comforting support for her joints and muscles. After less than a year of Invisalign, Kris was then ready to plan for her restorations. Before starting the restorations, Kris underwent Zoom Whitening in-office bleaching at Eggert Family Dentistry for both her upper and lower arches to help achieve the brightness she wanted. A mock-up was done as well, to verify the shape of her future veneers. Once Kris was happy with the color of the teeth that would stay natural and after she approved her mock-up, Kris was ready to prepare the teeth for veneers. She spent part of the day with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and went through the procedures needed to get her teeth ready for her veneers. After about 3 weeks with temporary veneers, Kris came back to seat her veneers. Kris chose to veneer 8 teeth on her upper arch.

What does Kris think of her results?

Before undergoing procedures to get her veneers, Kris told us “I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. It seemed overwhelming in the beginning.” Yet, she was very confident in Dr. Elizabeth and was excited to start the journey. Kris told us that she didn’t mind the whole process and after undergoing everything, she understands the need for it to take some time.

Kris is very happy with her results. She told us “Thank you! I love it so much! I am super happy with everything!” She also shared, “I think it’s so funny that people at work and my friends can tell something is different but cannot pinpoint what it is!” She would definitely recommend the treatment to others and says, “It is a team effort and you have to do everything that is expected of you for the best results.” Kris feels that having a better smile is fantastic. She would tell anyone thinking of having the treatment done “Do it in a heartbeat! Of course, it is an investment but it’s not as bad as you think and definitely worth it!”

Congratulations Kris – you look fabulous and we appreciate your trust in us to help us live out our motto of providing “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles!”

“Invisalign Has Been Really Nice!” – Ashley’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Where did Ashley start?

Ashley came to Eggert Family Dentistry as a new patient in the fall of 2016 with pain in the areas of her wisdom teeth, also known as 3^rd molars. The panoramic image shown below shows the need to have her wisdom teeth extracted due to the impacted angle and their inability to erupt on their own. They were also putting a lot of pressure on her erupted second molars. With the impaction, Ashley’s teeth were also becoming more crowded, which she didn’t like. Dr. Jeff referred Ashley to an oral surgeon to have her wisdom teeth extracted and that took care of one problem.

Ashley was also experiencing tissue recession, mostly due to the crowding and current position of her teeth. One option Dr. Jeff discussed with Ashley was the possibility for gingival grafting (gum-tissue grafting). In a grafting procedure, tissue is added to the root surface to cover the root back up again and increase gingival height and thickness. For Ashley, this may have worked, however, due to her crowding, the ability for the graft to last a lifetime was very unlikely. Therefore, Dr. Jeff suggested Ashley consider orthodontically moving her teeth. Ashely was most interested in Invisalign and had read about it from our blogs, learning that we do that procedure here at Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, MN with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert. Dr. Elizabeth met with Ashley and determined she would be a great candidate for Invisalign!

What was involved?

Ashley went through the “Invisalign Records Process.” At that time, we took impressions and photos of her teeth and sent them to Invisalign so they could create a 3D simulation of how her teeth could move with Invisalign treatment. Ashley was very happy with the simulation, which showed a significant improvement to her crowding.

During the Invisalign Records Process, Dr. Elizabeth also noted with Ashely a fair amount of muscle tension and while Ashley didn’t initially report having frequent headaches, throughout treatment, she noticed a difference in her tension and that she no longer was having headaches. It is amazing how people learn to live with what ails them, but how much better they can feel working their way to healthy!

Ashley’s case was expected to consist of 28 aligners that she would wear 22 hours a day. Ashley’s case called for a few “buttons,” which are attachments on the teeth. Basically, these small buttons allow the Invisalign aligners to grip onto your teeth more effectively (similar to a traditional orthodontic metal bracket). These attachments help move the teeth more effectively. Ashley was very compliant and consistent in wearing her aligners as instructed and was able to complete her case after the expected 28 aligners, needing no refinements!

What does Ashley think?

When we asked Ashley what she thought about the Invisalign process, she said her only thought is that it was more appealing than getting traditional braces. “It’s been really nice! It has reduced my headaches and that was the biggest thing, and it has reduced the crowding too.” She says that if she were discussing Invisalign with someone considering the treatment she would tell them, “It’s definitely worth it. Don’t get discouraged the first few weeks; it gets better. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it gets much better.”

We are so happy that we could help Ashley on her journey and fulfill our motto of providing “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles!” Congratulations, Ashley on your wonderful results!

My Journey with Adult Orthodontics and Porcelain Veneers – Cathy’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

For over 20 years Cathy has been a loyal patient with Eggert Family Dentistry and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert. Back in 2020 Cathy was having pain and she believed it to be due to her bony ridges growing on her lower right under her tongue. These bony growths are known as tori. Cathy noticed she had more pain in the evening and thought it was getting worse. Typically, tori aren’t dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. They can also be linked to heavy forces being applied in your mouth. Dr. Elizabeth explained to Cathy that her bone was likely continuing to grow due to the heavy forces her muscles were placing on her teeth and bones. It was at that time that Cathy got serious about considering adult orthodontics because Dr. Elizabeth had mentioned the benefits of correcting her bite in the past and Cathy didn’t want to keep letting her muscles win!

What did Cathy want?

Cathy was not interested in removing the tori but was interested in Invisalign as an option for adult orthodontics. It was determined after a consultation with Dr. DeVoe that conventional braces were a better option for Cathy and so she agreed to follow his professional advice.

What was involved?

During orthodontic treatment, the wear pattern on Cathy’s teeth became more apparent because Dr. DeVoe had to choose whether to align her front teeth at her gum line or at the biting surface. Since Cathy shows a fair amount of gum tissue when she smiles, it was recommended to align the teeth at her gum level and change the tooth shapes with porcelain veneer restorations. Dr. Elizabeth talked with Cathy about how she could elect to only restore her front teeth and about the advantages, including color matching and tooth proportions, of restoring her six anterior teeth.

Cathy decided she wanted to change her tooth color and shape for all six of her front teeth and so Dr. DeVoe and Dr. Elizabeth coordinated her final orthodontic movements to set her up for porcelain veneers.

Cathy wanted whiter teeth so Dr. Elizabeth recommended that Cathy undergo Zoom in-office whitening to brighten all her teeth so the porcelain veneers could be made to the same brighter color. Cathy’s teeth responded well to the Zoom procedure.

Once the whitening was completed, Dr. Elizabeth did a wax-up for Cathy to see what her teeth would look like once the restorations were completed. A wax-up helps you be able to visualize the final outcome. Dr. Elizabeth was also able to do a mock-up of the wax-up in Cathy’s actual mouth, using a plastic material. This really helped Cahty see how the veneers would look before changing her teeth. After only seeing the wax-up, Cathy thought it looked nice, but said “It is hard to know without seeing it in my mouth.” Luckily, doing the mock-up worked and Cathy’s reaction was “Oh wow!” She was very pleased and was ready to move forward with the preparation for the veneers.

What does Cathy think?

When asked what Cathy thought about her restorations before actually proceeding she said, “I was nervous about the prep and what that would be like. I didn’t know how much tooth structure would be there, but I was also excited about correcting the teeth that were uneven.” After all the treatment was completed, she said she is very pleased with her results. When asked what she would say to a friend that has similar issues or is considering getting this type of treatment done she said, “I would say positive things about the outcome! I would let them know about the time frame and the prep appointments. It’s a commitment, but well worth it!”

Thank you Cathy for putting your trust in us! We love your results and look forward to serving you for many years to come!

A New Year’s Smile with Invisalign and Bonding – Ted’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Where did this start?

Ted has been a loyal patient of Eggert Family Dentistry and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert for over 13 years. Ted was having an issue with chipping of his front teeth. Over the years the enamel of his front teeth started to get thinner. This was mostly because of the tooth positions of his lower front teeth. Dr. Elizabeth talked with Ted about orthodontic movements to help increase the longevity of any future restorations, but Ted wasn’t ready to do anything until he additionally bumped his front tooth and because of the weak enamel, a significant chip occurred. Ted still wasn’t ready for orthodontics and asked Dr. Elizabeth to start by simply fixing the tooth with composite.

Fast forward nearly 2 years and Ted started to notice the enamel thinning again with his front teeth. He understood that the lower front tooth positions put more strain on his edges and he was ready to talk about Invisalign options for orthodontic tooth movement.

What was involved?

Dr. Elizabeth gathered the records needed for Invisalign orthodontic treatment. She sent impressions, photos, and x-rays of Ted’s teeth to Invisalign where they created a 3D simulation, called a clincheck, to show how his teeth could move with Invisalign treatment. Ted was very happy with the simulation, which showed a significant improvement to his crowding, especially on the lower front teeth and he decided to move forward with Invisalign.

Ted’s case was expected to consist of 19 aligners that he would wear for one to two weeks at a time for 9-12 months. As part of Ted’s Invisalign treatment, Dr. Elizabeth included “bite ramps” on his aligners because he clenches heavily on his teeth. Bite ramps prevent patients from being able to bite down completely and clench. They help give the muscles a “stop” point and remind the muscles to stay in a more relaxed position. Ted was consistent in wearing his aligners as instructed.

After his Invisalign treatment was complete, Dr. Elizabeth made minor alterations to the biting surface of some of Ted’s teeth to remove interferences and even out his bite. This process is called equilibration and will help prevent further wear on Ted’s new smile. Once the equilibration was complete and Ted completed some whitening with Opalescence whitening solution at home, Ted was ready to strengthen his front teeth with composite bonding. Dr. Elizabeth added resin plastic filling material to his central incisors. Because his teeth are now in a better position, it was even possible to add a little length to Ted’s teeth, giving him a more youthful smile.

What does Ted think?

Ted said “I wanted my teeth fixed! I was more curious than anything as I read about orthodontic options online. I am happy I chose to do Invisalign with Dr. Elizabeth, but I wasn’t sure how long it would take.” Ted was really happy with the results and said that it was not nearly as bad as he had initially anticipated. He was concerned about not being able to eat and drink with the aligners in, but after living with them awhile, he realized it wasn’t as bad over the course of the year as he thought it would be. “They still are a bit inconvenient” but “well worth it.” When asked what he would say if he were talking to someone considering getting this type of treatment done, Ted noted he would tell them it’s “Absolutely worth it!” Ted, thank you for putting your trust in us to complete your care! We love your new bright smile and are happy that with the tooth movements, the results will be much more stable over the long-haul! Congratulations!