Patient Stories Archives - Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

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!”

Two Brothers, Both Missing Teeth – the Stories of Anders and Lars

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Family is very important to us here at Eggert Family Dentistry and serving entire families is one of our biggest joys. We love following trends in families because we can often help stop dental disease in its tracks, especially for children of parents that have been patients for years. We truly appreciate the trust so many families put in the care of our doctors – Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert, as well as our dedicated team. A positive dentist-patient relationship is the cornerstone of good oral health for your whole family. Now, meet Anders and Lars, two brothers who came to us as new patients, joining their father who had been seeing Dr. Elizabeth for over a decade.

Lars and Anders both had congenitally missing teeth, meaning they weren’t born with certain teeth. Missing teeth, also known as hypodontia, is a hereditary condition and often runs in families. A congenitally missing tooth is one of the most common dental developmental anomalies. In fact, roughly 20% of adults have at least one tooth that never developed.

What did Lars and Anders want?

Lars and Anders both started orthodontics before they were patients at Eggert Family Dentistry. With their parents and their orthodontist, Lars and Anders chose to close the space where they were missing a lateral incisor (tooth #10). The hope was that when they were old enough, the canine tooth could be “converted” to look like a lateral incisor. This is not the easiest restorative conversion and it can lead to long-term bite issues, but Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth were ready to take on the challenge and help Lars and Anders address their esthetic concerns, meanwhile, hoping to help them stabilize their bites for long-term success.

What was involved?

In addition to the missing lateral incisors, both Lars and Anders had spacing and tooth size discrepancies for their other incisors. It was recommended to buildup their anterior teeth with composite resin, doing composite veneers, to address these spacing and tooth shape issues. Because Lars and Anders are still young adults, composite resin was chosen as the material of choice because it is a very conservative option and will allow for easy conversion to porcelain materials down the line for ultimate esthetics as these two move along into adulthood.

After preplanning appointments to gather impressions for models to use for a wax-up and an appointment to mock-up the teeth and view the proposal, both Lars and Anders had their tooth changes done in only one appointment!

What do they think?

Both brothers are typical, busy, college students, but we were able to flag them down regarding their treatment. They report that things have settled in nicely and they are getting used to the changes. Lars told us, “I feel good about the treatment. It’s different, but as I look at them every day, I really like it.” He told us he was a little nervous before the treatment because we were changing the look of his teeth, but he was confident in the doctors at Eggert Family Dentistry and knew the process would be worth it. He would tell someone else considering this procedure to “Trust the process. The doctors at Eggert Family Dentistry know what they are doing. It can be scary, but really there isn’t anything to worry about.”

We are so pleased to be able to give these brothers a new matching set to smile with. Thank you for the trust you place in our team at Eggert Family Dentistry. We look forward to many years caring for you and your family!

Deep Cavities and Conservative Treatment – John’s Story!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

We met John back in 2013 when he was only 3 years old and needed some fillings on his primary (baby) teeth. After completing this treatment, unfortunately, his family moved out of state and we lost touch with him. Fast forward to this summer when his dad reached out for a second opinion because John was having a severe toothache. They sought out a dentist in Texas, where they live, but the recommendations were extreme, especially for a 15-year-old young man.

Here are the x-rays taken in Texas and sent to Dr. Elizabeth Eggert for a second opinion. It is easy to see the extreme decay in these images on multiple teeth. While Dr. Elizabeth was very concerned that the decay was so deep, it might be infecting the nerves of these teeth, she was also discouraged to hear that the other dental professionals had recommended extraction, or root canals and crowns for someone so young, without truly exploring what was happening in these teeth.

Luckily the family was headed to Minnesota for the summer and after a limited exam with Dr. Elizabeth, along with additional x-rays, it was determined that it was at least worth seeing how deep the decay was in these teeth to see if the teeth were working to protect their nerves by laying down protective layers of tooth structure.

Dr. Elizabeth had a serious conversation with John and his family about why John got infected with these cavities. To only attempt a repair without determining how to prevent serious issues like this in the future, would not help break the cycle. Tooth decay in teenagers is primarily caused by a combination of poor oral hygiene, frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks, and the presence of bacteria in the mouth that produce acids that erode tooth enamel. In John’s case, the most likely culprit was the sugary candy he often consumed (and hid from his parents) as well as inconsistent dental care over the years.

What did he want?

John and his parents were hoping to avoid the extreme options presented by the dentists in Texas. Not only are the treatments recommended irreversible, but they would have been a huge investment and financial strain for the family. Therefore, they liked Dr. Elizabeth’s conservative option of decay excavation, which is almost like an exploratory surgery. If the decay hadn’t yet reached the nerve, or even if it still was just over the nerve canal system, with John’s young age, there would be a chance that his teeth could heal and protect the nerve if the decay is removed.

In Dr. Elizabeth’s mind, it is very important to attempt to preserve the natural tooth and root for as long as possible. Dr. Elizabeth recommended that they start with decay excavation on the three teeth with the deepest decay, do indirect pulp caps if needed, and finish the treatment with a composite buildup, which will help build back the tooth until the nerve has some time to heal and before a crown is done. This option gives John time to heal and see how well his teeth respond to the treatment.

What was involved?

Dr. Elizabeth saw John for multiple appointments to address as much decay as possible when he was in town. She started on John’s lower right side, where John had the most discomfort. The most interesting thing about John’s case was how deep the decay got internally without giving many outward signs until his toothaches started. These photos show the three teeth with the deepest decay. While there is evidence of “holes” or cavities forming, they do not appear to be as extreme as what the x-rays were showing. This likely kept John’s family from realizing the severity of John’s situation and why regular dental care is so important because it is likely that these areas of decay would have been caught much earlier.

Dr. Elizabeth removed the decay, but had to leave a small amount in order to avoid the nerve. This is called an indirect pulp cap and can help the tooth promote healing. A protective layer is placed over the decay with the hopes that the natural tooth structure will continue to lay down more natural protection. The amount of tooth lost to decay was extreme, but with ideal bonding ability, Dr. Elizabeth replaced the missing tooth structure with resin (composite) filling material for a buildup, knowing that if John is able to keep the infection away and keep his teeth, crowns will be in order in the future.

What does he think?

John and his family were so appreciative for the alternative and conservative treatment option. This definitely is a favorable result, although not necessarily conventional. Unfortunately, since John’s treatment was a unique approach, John’s family is still fighting for insurance coverage and they may never see the benefits they deserve. We are finding that more and more insurance policies place strict limits on what they will and will not cover. Still, John’s family believes this treatment was the right choice for them.

John and his family have gone back to Texas so we won’t be able to follow his treatment long-term. We hope he is able to keep his teeth for many more years to come and that his teeth cooperate and heal fully. John’s story is an important example of why it is very important to implement dental recare appointments at a very young age. These appointments are crucial for maintaining optimal oral health by catching problems early to help prevent serious long-term problems. We’re happy to have your trust John and we wish you the best!

“My Teeth are Chipping, What Can We Do?” – Tim’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Tim has been a patient with Eggert Family Dentistry since the early 2000’s. Up until recently he had only been in for his recare appointments and a few restorations, but then he started noticing that his front teeth were chipping. He wanted to know what he could do to address it. As we age, our teeth naturally undergo changes that can affect our appearance and health. These changes include enamel thinning, increased risk of cavities and gum disease, tooth discoloration, and of course chipping. Proactive oral hygiene and regular dental visits can help mitigate these effects and maintain a healthy smile throughout life, but sometimes intervention is needed.

Tim discussed the issue with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert of Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, MN and she invited Tim to undergo the Records Process. She noticed things about Tim’s smile and jaw that would be contributing to his chipping. His current tooth positions and a history of acid erosion on his teeth were especially to blame. She let him know that over time he would continue to have wear and chipping on his front teeth and as they got smaller, he would in turn have excessive forces on his back teeth. Tim wanted to learn more so he took her advice and started the Records Process.

What did he want?

Tim had not really given much thought to his teeth beyond the functionality of them such as eating and speaking, but it was important to him to keep his teeth long term. He only became aware of the chipping a few years ago, even though the process started long ago. Through the Records Process, Dr. Elizabeth helped him better understand what is happening with his muscles, jaws, and teeth and how they all relate to each other. He wanted to understand why the chipping was occurring and he wanted to be able to keep his teeth healthy for the long-haul.

What was involved?

The Records Process helped us gather information about how Tim uses his teeth and we found that the narrowness of his upper and lower jaws put his teeth in a position that put the edges at risk for chipping. Many times, people with a narrow arch produce more acid, which also thins the enamel, making it more prone to wear, tear, and chipping.

Tim’s teeth needed to change position before the chipping could adequately be addressed. Invisalign was recommended as a conservative and convenient way to move his teeth. After completing splint therapy with an anterior deprogrammer to verify his muscle and joint positions, Tim started Invisalign. It took 14 months for Tim’s teeth to move into positions where the edges wouldn’t chip.

Getting the teeth in a better position to stop the chipping meant that more spaces would open up between Tim’s teeth. This was an anticipated side effect and was discussed with Tim during the Records Process. Tim agreed that porcelain veneers should be used to both close down his spacing and protect his enamel. 12 veneers were needed – 6 for Tim’s upper front teeth and 6 for his lower front teeth.

Dr. Elizabeth used emax veneers for Tim’s restorations. Emax is a type of dental porcelain made from lithium disilicate, a glass ceramic, and is known for strength, durability, and a natural appearance. Veneers made from emax are thin, translucent, and closely mimic the look of natural tooth enamel, which makes them a popular choice for cosmetic dental work, or in Tim’s case to also help with improved function and durability!

What does he think?

Tim mentioned that he was concerned with how long the process would take, but he felt informed along the way. He spends a majority of his time in Florida during the winter to get away from the Minnesota cold, but even having to work around that didn’t slow things down. He was able to take his Invisalign aligners with him to Florida and he updated Dr. Elizabeth with photos of his progress. Even through it did take awhile from start to finish, he is very happy with the results and likes that he can eat and speak like normal. When asked what he would say to anyone about his treatment, he said he would recommend it and tell them what the whole process was like for him. Congratulations on your commitment and great result Tim! We love working with you and we thank you for putting your trust in us! Call Eggert Family Dentistry today at 651-482-8412 to talk about your dental issues and to find out if veneers are the right way to improve your smile!

My Spring (Tooth) Break! Fixing a Fractured Front Tooth – Caleb’s Story!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Caleb was on spring break in Florida, vacationing with his family at the beach and playing in the sand with his sister. He accidently fell on a metal shovel on the beach and chipped his front tooth. His mom called from Florida to let Eggert Family Dentistry know what had occurred and asked how she should proceed. It was recommended that she send a picture of the tooth and keep the fragment in water so that we would have a better idea of the extent of the fracture. Caleb was still out of town for a few days, but was seen at the office when he returned. Unfortunately, Caleb was ill with a severe cough right after coming home, so it was over 2 weeks before he was able to see Dr. Jeff Eggert to attempt to reattach the fragment.

What was recommended?

Tooth trauma, also known as dental trauma, refers to injuries to the teeth, gums, and surrounding soft tissues of the mouth. These injuries can range from minor chips or cracks to more severe issues like tooth displacement or jaw fractures. Common causes include accidents, sports injuries, falls, and even biting down on hard objects. Symptoms can include pain, bleeding, swelling, and a change in how teeth fit together. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury, and may involve repositioning the tooth, root canal treatment, or other procedures.

Upon examination, Dr. Jeff reviewed some signs and symptoms with Caleb and his parents and did some tests to verify the status of the tooth’s nerve. Luckily, the tooth was still responding as vital, which means that the nerve was trying to heal after the injury. Teeth undergoing trauma like Caleb’s are at high risk for nerve necrosis (dying) and abscess (infection). It was decided to repair the tooth with composite filling material to build back what had broken since Caleb’s tooth fragment had now been out of his mouth a few weeks and the fragment available couldn’t replace all of what was missing.

Caleb was only 11 years old at the time of the trauma to his front tooth. When considering repairing a fractured front tooth, the appropriate treatment options and considerations can vary depending on a person’s age. Preserving the natural tooth structure, including the tooth’s pulp for as long as possible is very important for the longevity of the tooth and surrounding tissues. Even though Caleb’s tooth nerve was testing vital, things can change overtime.

After a trauma like this, it is important to follow the tooth over time. Depending on the injury it is typical to reevaluate the tooth over a period of weeks, then months, then years to make sure that complications aren’t developing.

What else was involved?

Caleb’s tooth did very well for about 10 months and then his parents called reporting that he was having intense pain, sensitivity and swelling with the tooth. We saw him for another exam and unfortunately, the tooth was showing signs of a tooth abscess. Caleb saw the root canal specialist for a root canal as they were able to get him in for an appointment faster for that procedure, in fact, they were able to see him the very same day!

Caleb’s tooth has been stable and he now is in braces to help correct his bite. This will help keep his tooth better protected from forces for the long-haul.

What does he think?

It has been over 2 years since Caleb’s accident and his tooth is still doing well. The bonded composite filling has stayed in place and looks very natural. Because of how large the fracture was it is likely that the tooth will eventually benefit from a crown, but while the repair is holding up, Caleb will keep the filling.

Caleb and his parents were very appreciative of how quickly he was taken care of and monitored throughout the process. Caleb said “I thought it was kind of cool, how they just fill my mouth with filler stuff and then make it tooth sized.” He says he feels the same as before his tooth fractured and thinks “you can’t even notice it!” We look forward to seeing Caleb’s magnificent smile and his family as well for many years to come!

At Eggert Family Dentistry we have had many patients over the years that we have been able to help with dental trauma. Here are some additional examples of what trauma can look like:

“Can I Get a New Night Guard?” – Sleep Questions Addressed with the Seattle Protocol and a New Splint – Ann’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Ann returned to Eggert Family Dentistry a few years ago after concerns arose at her previous dental office, where she often felt she was being “up-sold” on dental recommendations. In addition, her husband and mom have been patients at Eggert Family Dentistry for years and have been very happy with their experiences. Ann made it very clear from the start that her main concern is overall tooth health, and while she wants a beautiful smile, she is happy with her smile, so she didn’t feel the need to discuss cosmetic options. Ann mentioned at her new patient appointment that she had undergone a sleep study and she was told she didn’t have sleep apnea, but she has been told she snores so she wonders if she is as rested as she could be. She was also told by her previous dentist that she had “TMJ” or Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) and wanted Dr. Elizabeth’s opinion on that. Ann really didn’t have many symptoms of TMD and she wanted to better understand what the previous dentist was seeing.

What was revealed during the records process?

Dr. Elizabeth invited Ann to come back for The Records Process in order to help Ann understand her current dental conditions, including the status of her potential TMD. In the Records Process, we used models, photos, and x-rays, as well as results from an extensive analysis of how Ann’s teeth function. The details of The Records Process revealed that Ann had some evidence of an unstable bite and while it wasn’t causing Ann day-to-day problems, it has the potential to cause faster breakdown of her jaw joints, muscles, and teeth. In addition, with her snoring, Ann had the option of working through the Seattle Protocol, an innovative approach to treating sleep disordered breathing with dental resources, like dental splints. Even though Ann did have evidence of TMD (without current symptoms), she wasn’t interested in pursuing treatment for that, which may have included orthodontics, but she was interested in helping her snoring, so she elected to undergo the Seattle Protocol.

What was involved?

The Seattle Protocol helps us determine the jaw position that best alleviates the patient’s likely airway compromise. The protocol moves the patient through a series of diagnostic steps and treatments using various trial splints (using the myTap system) to find the most effective solution specific to each individual patient. The goal is to move through incremental vertical and horizontal increases to the jaw position. Each step builds upon the last, but patients don’t necessarily need to complete the entire process as the purpose of the protocol is to determine the phase that provides the best relief of the patient’s symptoms.

Seattle Protocol Six Steps

1. Nasal breathing therapy

2. Lower jaw orthotic trial splint

3. Lower jaw anterior repositioning trial splint

4. Dual arch trial splint

5. Dual arch repositioning trial splint

6. Dual arch repositioning trial splint in more forward position.

For Ann, like all patients starting with the Seattle Protocol, we started with Nose Clearing and Mouth Taping, with the goal of rerouting Ann’s breathing through her nose. Ann ended up moving through the first 4 stages and found relief from her snoring and reported sleeping better with stage 3.

What does Ann think?

We asked Ann what she thought about the process of undergoing the Seattle Protocol. She told us she found it very easy and the time went pretty quickly. “Both Dr. Eggert and Tracy helped me move fast through the treatment and my appointments always went smoothly and started on time.” She also found it to be really helpful and that the mouth taping was very beneficial, she even recommended it to some of her friends that she felt it would help.

Ann liked the different options of oral appliances and finding the right one for her after going through all the Seattle Protocol. We asked Ann what she would tell a friend or family member if they were having similar symptoms or issues and she said that she would highly recommend the treatment and working with Eggert Family Dentistry. “You really have to sleep on it! Literally, you have to sleep with the different splints as it is not possible to know how they will benefit you until you try them out. If one version does not work for you, you will know it.”

Congratulations Ann! Thank you for letting us be part of your journey. We’re happy to have found a conservative treatment option that addresses your goals and current conditions. We look forward to working with you and your family for many more years to come!

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.

Unlocking A Brighter Smile with Zoom Whitening – Kimberly’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

At Eggert Family Dentistry we find that a lot of our patients are interested in professional teeth whitening and want to know the options that we offer. They are often looking for quick results, lower chances of sensitivity, longevity, and an affordable cost for the treatment. One of our most popular options that checks all of these boxes is the Zoom Whitening System. This procedure includes an in-office whitening treatment, which can brighten your teeth up to 8 shades, as well as take-home bleaching trays, which help to set and maintain the color. Using a special whitening gel and a blue LED light, in just 2 hours you will have a brighter smile.

Where did Kimberly start?

Kimberly and her family have been loyal patients of Eggert Family Dentistry for a very long time, always consistent with recare appointments and they follow through with recommended treatment by Dr. Elizabeth. Recently, Kimberly decided that she wanted to brighten her smile and set-up an appointment for the Zoom Whitening procedure.

What did Kimberly want?

Kimberly, like so many of us, had staining to her teeth and noticed that in the last few years, her teeth were getting darker and more yellow. She wanted to whiten them quickly and decided that the Zoom Whitening procedure was perfect for her needs. She was afraid that the over-the-counter whitening strip options would cause sensitivity. She also had heard from friends that the white strips can take numerous applications for very minimal improvements.

What was involved?

Kimberly came to our office for a 2-hour appointment. The Zoom Whitening procedure is performed in the office and starts with photographs, obtaining an initial shade, and taking impressions to create custom bleaching trays. After these initial steps, Kimberly relaxed in the dental chair as our assistant, Heather, applied a barrier layer for her gum tissues before the bleach was applied. Kimberly sat through four 15-minute sessions where the Zoom LED light shined onto her teeth with the bleaching gel. Zoom uses this light to activate the gel, which in turn accelerates the bleaching process. Essentially, the light energy speeds up the chemical reaction that whitens the teeth. While the LED light is bright and blue, some people mistakenly think it emits UV rays, but this is not the case at all. The blue light is perfectly safe!

While Kimberly was enjoying time to herself, Heather was busy fabricating her at-home bleaching trays so she could have them as soon as possible to help set the color at home. These trays can also be used to apply a desensitizing gel, if necessary.

What does Kimberly think?

“I was curious of how the process worked and wondered if it would work for me?” Kimberly found it to be very easy and she told us she was very pleased with the results. She would tell her friends that it was an easy process! Now with the trays that were designed especially for her and included in the treatment, she can continue to brighten her smile at home for even whiter results or she can use the trays when her teeth start taking on some discoloration again, therefore allowing her to keep her confident with her beautiful new smile for many years to come!

“All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” – Connor’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Connor started seeing Dr. Elizabeth in the fall of 2020. Connor was born without two lower teeth. The teeth were congenitally missing, a condition often known as hypodontia. To mask this, Connor had been wearing a metal wire retainer (Hawley retainer) with two teeth attached to it since his braces were removed many years prior. Why some people are born without certain teeth is unknown. While there are often genetic or heredity links, it isn’t always that parents pass this condition on to their children, in fact, it is often found to skip a generation. Treatments for congenitally missing teeth usually include bridges, dentures, or dental implants. Often orthodontic treatment is also necessary to make sure the spacing available is adequate.

What was recommended?

Dr. Elizabeth talked with Connor about treatment options for the future, should he ever decide that wearing a retainer full time wasn’t for him. In an ideal world, implants can replace congenitally missing teeth without altering any other teeth in the area. Connor did go for a consult with the oral surgeon, hoping to hear that he could undergo implant treatment whenever he was tired of wearing his retainer. Unfortunately, Connor doesn’t have enough space for implants.

What this means is that Connor will have to undergo orthodontic treatment (again) before any implant surgery can be done. Connor and his mom and dad weren’t excited about that option and wanted to know what alternative treatment options he has. Connor goes to college and does not feel that orthodontic treatment at this point in his life is what he wants.

Connor could choose traditional bridges, but Dr. Elizabeth was not in favor of this option because the bridges would be built on small anchor teeth. Initially, Connor planned to keep wearing his wire retainer, but then last summer, his retainer finally broke. Connor was tired of wearing a retainer so Dr. Elizabeth Eggert suggested Connor consider having bonded composite “bridges” completed. She talked with Connor about how conservative the preparation could be for the anchor teeth and was confident that the results could look good. Another advantage of the composite bonded “bridges” was that if Connor does decide to move forward with orthodontics and implants later in life, his neighboring teeth will still be in good shape.

What did he want?

After discussing the pros and cons with Dr. Elizabeth, Connor and his parents decided on composite bonded “bridges,” which is a type of fixed dental prosthesis for the replacement of a single missing tooth. The design of the bonded bridge consists of an artificial tooth made out of plastic filling material with a wing-like extension, which is bonded to the neighboring tooth or teeth. The tooth which supports the resin bonded bridge is called an abutment. The tooth which is replaced by the bonded bridge is called a pontic. Usually only minimal preparation is done to the abutment tooth and this treatment is considered minimally invasive.

What was involved?

After deciding to move forward with the composite bonded “bridge,” Dr. Elizabeth took impressions to get a model of Connor’s teeth so she could design the new restorations. Connor also wanted his teeth to be whiter so he did over-the-counter Crest White Strips to bleach his teeth. Connor then had an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth and in one day, he left the office with two new teeth as part of his composite bonded “bridges.”

What does he think?

Once the treatment was completed Connor was very happy with the esthetics and his bite. When we asked him some questions following treatment he said that he did not think much about having the procedure done, but just that it may take a while. He was surprised at how quick and easy the procedure appointment was and notes “I actually fell asleep for awhile I think!” Connor says “I love them! They’re super easy and they feel pretty normal already! It’s been great.” He would tell anyone that needed the same procedure to definitely do it! “It’s totally worth it.”

Thank you, Connor, for trusting us with your smile, we look forward to working with you for many years to come.