There is a variety of aesthetic options that are popular among adults who want straight teeth, but don’t want others to see their appliances.

One option is Invisalign, said Eisenhuth, a Burnsville, MN Invisalign provider. This system uses a series of clear, plastic aligners to gradually straighten teeth over time. They are appealing to adults, because they can be removed for photos, special occasions, when eating, for oral hygiene and when involved in public speaking engagements, to name a few examples.

“When Invisalign aligners are worn, it’s difficult for others to tell that you’re wearing an orthodontic appliance,” Eisenhuth said.

For some orthodontic cases, lingual braces are available. Lingual braces are worn on the backs of the teeth and cannot be seen when the patient talks or smiles.
There also are clear or tooth-colored brackets available for use. These more closely resemble the traditional braces most adults think of when they think of orthodontic treatment. However, they are less noticeable because their coloring more closely resembles natural tooth color.

Having straight teeth can do more than simply make a person feel more confident about their smile or improve a their self-esteem, Eisenhuth said. It’s healthier for people to have straight teeth.

Crooked, crowded teeth are more difficult to keep clean and free of tartar and plaque build-up because they provide more tight areas and crevices for food to settle in. When areas are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, that can be a recipe for tooth decay, she said.
When teeth are straight, it helps lessen the potential for bone loss, gum disease and tooth decay.

“These are things that we want to prevent in patients regardless of their age, and you’re never too old to take corrective action,” Eisenhuth said. “For those adults who feel as though braces are just for kids and the opportunity for straight teeth has passed them by, we want them to know that is not the case- we have lots of options for them.”

About National Orthodontic Health Month
The U.S. House of Representatives first declared October as National Orthodontic Health Month in 2007 at the request of the American Association of Orthodontists. The AAO represents approximately 95 percent of orthodontists in the U.S and it focuses on public policy, education and increasing awareness of orthodontic care.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about orthodontic treatment for adults or you are interested in scheduling a free consultation with Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: http://doctorjennifer.com/. Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.

Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai SEO Marketing and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Students grow every year and last year’s mouth guard may not fit adequately to prevent injury, said Eisenhuth, a St. Paul orthodontist who fits athletes for custom mouth guards at her office.

“Just as children outgrow their cleats and skates, they outgrow their mouth guards as well,” she said. “Ill-fitting mouth guards will not effectively protect your child’s teeth.”

Parents can have custom mouth guards made for their children in two orthodontic visits. At the first appointment, Eisenhuth takes an impression of the mouth to create the mouth guard. A week later, a second appointment is necessary to ensure a proper fit. The mouth guard should be comfortable and the wearer should be able to breathe and speak properly with it in place.

If parents opt to purchase a mouth guard at a sporting goods store, it still is important to bring it in so Eisenhuth can take a look at it and make sure it is thick enough in the appropriate areas and fits snugly so that it protects the teeth adequately, she said.

Mouth guards do more than help prevent tooth injuries. They also work to prevent a concussion in the event the child is hit while playing sports.

Students who participate in any type of contact sport or other sport where they could inadvertently be hit in the mouth should be fitted for a mouth guard, Eisenhuth said. Some examples include karate, lacrosse, football, hockey, soccer and basketball.

Now that school is right around the corner, it’s also a good time for parents to schedule one last orthodontic check-up over the summer, said Eisenhuth, a St. Paul, MN Invisalign provider. Patients who are undergoing Invisalign treatment can pick up their next three sets of aligners to wear, which will give them another six weeks until they must return for a follow-up appointment.

“Many parents don’t like for their children to have to miss portions of school for their orthodontic appointments especially at the beginning of the year,” she said. “Now is the time to try to squeeze in one more check-up while school is out.”

Learn More
If you would like more information about Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or are interested in scheduling a free consultation, visit her Web site, http://www.doctorjennifer.com, or call (651) 406-8100. Dr. Eisenhuth’s office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai Google  Marketing and Dental SEO and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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The condition causes problems with swallowing, eating and breathing in the short term, but can lead to additional problems in a child’s skeletal and dental development that may require orthodontic treatment to correct, said Apple Valley Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, who often treats patients with cleft lip or cleft palate.

What is a Cleft Lip/Palate?
If you touch the roof of your mouth with your tongue, you will feel a “seam” that goes from behind your front teeth to the rear of your mouth. That seam was created when the palate grew together, Eisenhuth said. A cleft palate occurs when the palate fails to grow together properly during development and a gap or split is created.
Similarly, a cleft lip means that there is a split in the upper lip. Children can be born with a split on one or both sides of the lip, which can create a wider opening into the nose. A baby’s lips and palate don’t develop at the same time, so it is possible for a child to be born with either abnormality or both of them, she said.

Cleft lips and cleft palates are common and occur in almost two out of every 1,000 babies born annually in the United States. This can be hereditary or part of a syndrome, but the cause frequently is unknown and therefore unpreventable, according to www.kidshealth.org
Children born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate often have dental problems with the upper gum or palate. Problems can include crooked, missing, extra or small teeth. These problems may require orthodontic treatment to correct and sometimes can require surgery to obtain optimum results.

Orthodontic Treatment for Cleft Lip/Palate
Some cleft lip/cleft palate treatments begin immediately after birth. There are some pre-surgical orthodontic treatments that can be done during infancy, Eisenhuth said.
If bone grafting is necessary, that typically is done between ages 8 and 10. Treatment to correct the child’s permanent teeth can be addressed after surgery through Phase II orthodontics, including full braces or Invsalign, typically done between ages 12 and 15.
“In cases where orthognathic surgery is required, orthodontic treatment usually begins about nine months prior to the surgery,” Eisenhuth said. “Following the surgery, the braces are maintained for six to eight months to direct the healing.”

Read the full article titled “Apple Valley, MN Orthodontist Uses Braces to Assist in Treating Cleft Lips, Palates“.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about orthodontic treatment for cleft lip/cleft palate, you want to learn more about the Apple Valley, Minnesota orthodontics practice of Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or you would like to schedule a consultation with her, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: http://www.doctorjennifer.com.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai Dental Marketing and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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But increasingly, orthodontists are encouraging patients to hang onto those retainers and wear them a bit longer- forever, even.

That’s right. As the science of orthodontics continues to evolve, research on the aging process as it relates to teeth alignment has shown that teeth shifting- even after braces- is a part of life, said Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan orthodontics expert.

“This isn’t a case of pointing the finger at patients and telling them that they didn’t follow their orthodontist’s instructions,” Eisenhuth said. “Orthodontists have done a complete about-face when it comes to instructing patients on retainer use.”

Eisenhuth used to recommend that patients wear their retainers for up to two years before weaning them off the appliance, but now she counsels them on the notion that a retainer is a maintenance appliance that likely will need to be worn a few times a week for the rest of their lives.

“As an orthodontist, I understand that this may not be something patients want to hear,” Eisenhuth said. “Truth be told, a patient’s teeth could shift ever so slightly and perhaps it wouldn’t bother them a bit. But to maintain the perfect alignment we have achieved at the time braces are removed, wearing a retainer periodically from now on will be a necessity for many patients.”

In addition to teeth shifting being part of the aging process, teeth sometimes have a tendency to shift back into their former positioning after braces are removed, Eisenhuth said, although they typically never return to the exact position they were in prior to braces.

It is important to note that a retainer typically does not shift teeth back into place, she said. It simply maintains straight teeth. Routine retainer use can keep shifting to a minimum.

“The longer a patient leaves the retainer out, the more likely it is that their teeth will shift,” Eisenhuth said, adding that the tightness some patients feel when putting in a retainer after they went without wearing it for several days is evidence that the teeth have shifted slightly.

Teeth may become sore once a retainer is worn after several days of nonuse, but wearing it on a regular basis will eliminate the discomfort.

Eisenhuth recommends that patients wear their retainers at night at least several nights a week.

“It’s understandable that once patients have their braces off, they aren’t eager to be seen with metal in their mouths anymore,” she said. “So wearing the retainer while you sleep is a good idea. It gets the job done and preserves a perfect smile.”

As an Eagan, Minnesota Invisalign provider, Eisenhuth recommends that patients who opt for Invisalign treatment- a series of custom made, clear plastic aligners that gradually reposition teeth into proper alignment- hang onto their final aligner and wear that periodically as a means of keeping their teeth straight.

Read the full article titled “Eagan Orthodontist Promotes Alignment for a Lifetime“.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about long-term retainer use, you want to learn more about the orthodontics practice of Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or you would like to schedule a consultation with her, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: www.doctorjennifer.com.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth

Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.

Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.

Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai Dental Marketing and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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This is the second year the Eagan, Minnesota orthodontist has participated in the patriotic festivities.

Last year, Eisenhuth, an Eagan, MN Invisalign specialist, donated items to be passed out to children at the July 4th Funfest.

“This is such a great family and community-oriented event that we wanted to become more involved this year,” Eisenhuth said. “Since most of our patients are children, we thought it fitting to sponsor some children’s activities.”

For the 2009 event held on Saturday, July 4, Eisenhuth came on board as a $1,000 sponsor, according to the Funfest Web site. The sponsorship covers the children’s games, which begin at 12:30 p.m. and are geared toward children of all ages. The games are followed by the Mad Science Lab at 1:30 p.m. and an Underwater Adventures program featuring its mascot Sharky at 2:30 p.m.

“We’re confident that there will be something fun for children of all ages to enjoy at the event,” Eisenhuth said.

The theme of this year’s Funfest is “Summer Under the Stars and Stripes.” The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Yankee Doodle Road and Central Parkway. The carnival, which also features a variety of vendors, begins at noon and ends at midnight.

Community events such as these depend on the generosity of businesses and individuals throughout the community, as they wouldn’t happen without their financial support, said Raleigh Seelig, who has chaired the July 4th Funfest committee for more than 20 years.

This sponsorship shows that Eisenhuth is “willing to help out and be a part of the community and the July 4th event,” Seelig said.

To learn more about the July 4th Funfest, visit the event’s Web site: www.eaganfunfest.org.

Learn More
If you would like more information about Eagan braces expert Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or are interested in scheduling a free consultation, visit her Web site, www.doctorjennifer.com, or call (651) 406-8100. Dr. Eisenhuth’s office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.

Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.

Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai Google Marketing and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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