You have questions, Poser Orthodontics has answers

Poser Orthodontics understands that you may questions regarding orthodontic treatment, and we want to assure you that we have the answers. As we continue to provide the best of services to you, we decided to share some popular questions many of our patients have asked. Expand your knowledge about orthodontics and learn the facts about common treatment questions.

Q: Will I Need To Have Permanent Teeth Extracted For Braces?

A: Dr. Poser uses the latest orthodontic technology: The Damon System, which greatly reduces the need for extraction of permanent teeth.

Q: Do Braces Hurt?

A: Generally braces do not "hurt" but they do feel foreign at first and take about a week to get used to. Dr. Poser utilizes the latest orthodontic technology: The Damon System, which straightens teeth with less discomfort. After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days and an over the counter pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen)will provide relief.

Q: Can I Still Play Sports?

A: Yes, but we do recommend the wearing of a mouth guard for all contact sports. We have special mouth guards for our patients to protect your teeth, braces and jaw joints. Just ask and we will be happy to fit you with a mouth guard.

Q: Why Should I Choose An Orthodontic Specialist?

A: An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists. Admission to an orthodontic postgraduate program is extremely competitive and selective.  It takes many years to become an orthodontist and the educational requirements are demanding.

Are you ready to get started with orthodontic treatment at Poser Orthodontics? Call us now at our Germantown office or Wauwatosa office and let's get started with your first visit.

Myth or Fact

So we all know someone who has a friend who has a cousin who knows a guy...so the story must be true.

Oh those myths and how we love to believe them all. No...we aren't talking about mixing Pop Rocks candy with Coca-Cola, we're talking about the myths surrounding the Orthodontic World...you know, the really scary ones.

There are many legends and myths about orthodontics, some of which have become so commonplace that they are now believed to be legitimate. Well...guess what? Even if you know the guy who has the cousin who has the friend that the story happened to...it's myth.

Myth: Only children and teens need to visit an orthodontist. 



Fact: Braces are not just for kids. More and more adults today are seeking the benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important at any age.

Myth: Braces interfere with radio signals and electronic devices.

Fact: In theory any metal can act as an antenna, but braces are really bad ones. Radio signals are modulated electro-magnetic waves transmitted through the air. In order for these transmitted signals to travel well in air, they must be sent at high-frequencies. This is achieved through modulation. Even if someone's tooth could receive these frequencies, it would have to be decoded to actually hear real messages.

Myth: Braces are just for cosmetic purposes and aren’t necessary for your overall dental health.

Fact: While braces can definitely help you get that beautiful smile, they aren’t just for cosmetic improvement. Well aligned teeth can facilitate good oral hygiene making it easier to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, resolving certain orthodontic problems with the use of braces can improve your ability to speak, chew, and even breathe.

Myth: Wearing braces will increase your chances of being struck by lightning?

Fact: The chances of a person getting struck by are the same, with or without braces. In the U.S. in any one year, the chance you will be struck by lighting is 1 in 700,000 no matter what you are wearing.

Myth: If there was a giant magnet overhead, anyone who is wearing braces would get stuck to it.
Fact: Braces are made of materials which are non-magnetic in nature. Therefore getting stuck to a giant magnet is highly unlikely...and really, where is this giant magnet anyways?

So fear no more...Orthodontic myths are just that...MYTHS. No matter what your friend's cousin's brother says.

Your Smile Is A Lifelong Investment

When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, also consider the lifelong benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity and length of treatment.

For your convenience, we do offer different methods of payment, including interest-free monthly payment plans and credit card payments. We will discuss these payment options and assist in determining the best plan for you.

Our office will assist those who have orthodontic insurance by submitting the necessary information. Insurance companies vary greatly in the type and extent of coverage available. Most misunderstandings about insurance can be eliminated if you are familiar with your policy:

• Be sure that you do have orthodontic coverage. Not all dental plans provide orthodontic benefits.
• Inquire if there is an age limitation as some orthodontic plans can expire at age 18.
• Be aware of the percentage which will be paid by your insurance and the amount of lifetime benefits provided by your plan.

Patient Smile Spotlight

Our friendly staff at Poser Orthodontics develops a relationship with our patients on a more personal level. Our patients aren’t the only ones proud of their smiles, we are too.

Check out some of the latest pictures of our recent patient visits and see how their smiles are contagious!

Congratulations to all of you for achieving such great results! Great results don’t just come from our efforts, but they are achieved by a team effort of our patients and staff combined. Are you ready to get the smile of your dreams? Request an appointment for a complimentary initial evaluation now by contacting our office.

Visit www.poserortho.com for more information.

Braces Are Great At Any Age

Don't let age stop you from having the straight teeth you've always dreamed of. Braces aren't just for kids anymore. Parents are still making regular trips to the orthodontist's office, but these days more and more are leaving their kids in the waiting room.

Sad, but true…over time our bodies start to wear out, including our teeth. As you age, your teeth break down. Unfortunately, it's one of the most visible signs of aging. As teeth wear, the lower and the upper jaw move closer together. Shortening of your teeth causes your lips to change, creases to form on the sides of your nose and mouth, a deep crease develops between your chin and lower lip and jowls develop on the sides of your jaw. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can also contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay and abnormal wear of the tooth enamel.

Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Numerous technological advances have made braces less noticeable, less painful and even less time-consuming.

As America's baby boomers have become more health conscious, they're rejecting the notion that loosing teeth and dentures are a routine part of growing older. These days people are exercising more and eating healthier and braces are another way of demonstrating that you care about yourself and your overall health.

Don’t believe us? Still think you’re too old for braces? Check out these adults who decided it was time to improve their smiles…you might be surprised.

Faye Dunaway - Age 61 Tom Cruise - Age 40 Gwen Stefani - Age 30

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Become Besties With Your Braces

Every relationship takes work and the relationship between you and your Braces is no different.

You and your braces will become besties over the upcoming months. There will be some bad days, but there will be good days too.  If you stick with it and work through those bad days, the good days will be that much better.

To prevent any ill feelings between you and your braces we recommend...

Avoiding sticky or hard foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your bestie harm. And even though it may seem like the best foods are the foods that are sticky and/or hard…sticky or hard foods can break a bracket or wire.

Chewing with your back teeth. Taking a large bite of food with your front teeth can leave your braces vulnerable to damage. Cut large foods into pieces and use your back teeth to chew.

Flossing. We know that it can be a pain to floss around your braces…your braces may even fight you on it. But flossing is the best way to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. If you find flossing with braces difficult, don’t give up on it. There are tools that can help. Ask us about Floss Threaders. Floss Threaders definitely make flossing with braces much easier.

Smoothing things over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket or wire. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day is also very soothing to your gum and cheek tissues. Don’t worry…the soreness from your braces won’t last long, so try your best not to get mad at your braces.

You and your braces will go through a lot together. When all is said and done, you’ll smile at yourself in the mirror one day, remembering your braces fondly and you'll know that the relationship was totally worth it.

Treatment Troublemakers

Successful orthodontic treatment depends upon our patient exercising reasonable care in avoiding hard or chewy substances which will damage braces or other orthodontic appliances.

Please Stay Away From These Troublemakers:

• Sticky foods like taffy and caramels
• Crunchy foods like pretzels, popcorn, and nuts
• Vegetables and fruits such as apples and raw carrots should be cut into small pieces
• Do not open sports bottles with your teeth
• Biting on things like pen caps, pencils, ice or fingernails

It is impossible to list all the types of food that need to be avoided, so please use common sense in your selections.

If you experience a problem with a loose bracket, band, or other orthodontic appliance, please call us at Poser Orthodontics as soon as possible during regular office hours. That will allow us to schedule the additional time necessary for the repair.