Do You Know What Sets Us Apart?

Everyone on our team understands that your goals in seeking orthodontic care, in addition to your clinical needs, are different from anyone else’s. Instead of a cookie-cutter approach to treatment, we’ll spend time talking with you about your goals in considering orthodontia and reviewing the results of your complimentary evaluation.

Then we’ll create a treatment plan and present it to you, and explain the different steps and options available to develop your new smile. We’ll encourage you to be part of the decision-making process; this is your smile, after all!

Our Commitment to You

As a family-friendly and patient-focused practice, Poser Orthdontics promises to:

• Provide a welcoming, comfortable environment
• Treat you with respect and courtesy at all times
• Be responsive to your questions, and provide you with the answers you need
• Be ethical and honest in all treatment recommendations
• Encourage you to be an educated advocate for your oral health
• Ensure any concerns you might have are listened to and immediately addressed

Give us a call to get started with your orthodontic treatment. Call 262-255-6255 for our Germantown office, or 414-476-2244 for our Wauwatosa office. 

What To Eat When You Get Braces

Just get braces? You may notice that your mouth feels a little different after they’re first put on. To make your transition a little smoother, you may want to change your eating habits for the first few days while you get used to your new braces. We at Poser Orthodontics want to make things easier on our new patients, so below you will find some suggestions for the best kinds of foods to eat when you first get braces.

1. Have a smoothie. Smoothies are great option for a delicious meal in a glass, offering a convenient, balanced option. Throw whatever you like in a blender, add protein to make it more filling and even try a handful of spinach— if the smoothie is made right, you won’t even taste it!

2. Think soft. The first day or so of having your new braces on will mean you may not feel like chewing a whole lot. But that’s fine–try something soft but delicious like tender turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. Soups, chili, pudding, oatmeal and yogurt are all good choices during your first few days with braces.

3. Easy to chew. A steak dinner is not the best thing to have at your “congratulations on getting your braces” dinner. But meat shouldn’t be off the table completely–how about some shaved turkey cold cuts?

4. Try new things. Having to change up what you eat for a few days is the perfect excuse to try some new foods–how about a soft cheese you haven’t had before, like Munster or Brie? How about a new smoothie recipe for breakfast? Baked apples for a snack or dessert? You may end up discovering a new staple for your everyday diet.

5. Stay healthy. Don’t fall into the ice cream trap. Sure, it’s good for a treat, but it won’t give you the nourishment you need to look and feel your best. Eating soft food doesn’t mean eating unhealthy.

Lastly, remember to stay hydrated and drink lots of water throughout the day, avoiding pop and sugary drinks as your teeth are even more susceptible to cavities when you have braces.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Poser Orthodontics!

Do You Have Sensitive Teeth?

If hot, cold, sweet or very acidic food and drinks, or breathing in cold air, makes your teeth sensitive then you may have sensitive teeth. It is very common and can come and go.

The most common reason for tooth sensitivity is because the root surfaces of our teeth are exposed to stimulants from the environment, and due to this gum recession, it allows the tooth to feel more than usual.

Now these root surfaces are more porous than the rest of the tooth which is protected by enamel. So in order to help with the sensitivity, many products in the market try to block up these porosities thereby stopping these teeth from feeling any stimulants. Sensitivity could also be a symptom of decay.

There are many products out that say they help with sensitivity but not all of them work for every person. Often times it’s about testing what is out there and whichever product you find works for you is the one that you should use. For more questions regarding sensitive teeth, contact Poser Orthodontics and we will be happy to assist you.

Simpli5 Offered At Poser Orthodontics

Simpli5 is a revolutionary new system of aligners designed to correct minor imperfections in about five to six weeks. Each set of aligners are customized to fit your mouth and to give you the smile you've always wanted. Simpli5 aligners are designed to correct minor crowding or spacing, and to realign teeth that have already received orthodontic treatment.

If you're interested in orthodontic treatment with Simpli5 aligners, please contact Poser Orthodontics. We can answer any questions you might have and provide a comprehensive consultation to determine if Simpli5 is the best treatment for your smile.

Pumpkin French Toast - NEW FALL RECIPE

Do you like pumpkin flavored everything? We do! We've done some searching for new innovative ways to add pumpkin to your favorite meals and found this delicious recipe for Pumpkin French Toast!  Who will be making these this weekend? 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 2 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 9 slices Texas toast (or other white bread such as Challah or French bread)
• Butter, for griddle

Directions

1. Preheat an electric griddle to 350 degrees (a non-stick skillet set over medium heat also works fine). In a mixing bowl whisk together milk, pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger until well combined. Pour into a shallow dish.
2. Butter griddle and dip bread into egg mixture (allowing a few seconds for it to absorb mixture. I also squeeze gently to soak the mixture to center), then rotate and coat opposite side. Transfer to griddle and cook until golden brown on bottom, then lift, butter griddle once more and flip french toast to opposite side and cook until golden brown. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

What is Simpli5?

Today's orthodontic appliances are designed to be comfortable, discreet, and fit the needs of your unique lifestyle. Invisible aligners have become a popular alternative to traditional orthodontic appliances like metal braces and headgear giving patients the beautiful smiles they've always wanted without ever having to wear braces.

Poser Orthodontics is pleased to offer our patients a "clear" alternative to metal braces with Simpli5 invisible aligners.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Simpli5?

• Quicker treatment times - With Simpli5, you can begin your treatment just three to four weeks after your doctor has taken impressions, and most cases are completed within just five months.
• Comfort - The Simpli5 plastic aligners are custom made to fit your mouth. The aligners are made of a unique plastic material that is smooth and invisible! The aligners fit so well that your family and friends may never even know you're wearing braces.
• Convenience - Each aligner is worn for only three to four weeks, for five to six months. After your treatment is complete, you're left with a beautiful, straight smile in less time than with traditional orthodontic appliances.

Oral Health Benefits of Sesame Oil

Recently a DIY (Do It Yourself) health method has surfaced becoming very popular. This method is used to support oral health and involves the use of sesame oil, which has been found to bring along many health benefits.

Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. This popular method using sesame oil is called oil pulling. It’s as simple as rinsing your mouth with oil. Oil pulling is done by swishing a table soon of sesame oil in your mouth for about 10 minutes then spitting it out.

What are the benefits of sesame oil for your oral health:

• Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws
• Prevention of diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis
• Prevention for bad breath
• Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
• Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat
• Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area

Other possible benefits of sesame oil:

• Migraine headache relief
• Reducing inflammation of arthritis
• May help reduce sinus congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Reduces the symptoms of allergies

Sesame oil reduces plaque, bacteria to fight gingivitis and it can remineralize tooth enamel. Sesame oil is also used to cook foods like noodles and vegetables.

This method has been discussed for centuries as a way to improve oral health, however you can do your research online to find out if oil pulling is right for you. If you have any questions regarding methods for improving oral health give Dr. Poser’s office a call.

What is Multi-Phase Orthodontics

Are you aware of Multi-Phased Orthodontics? If not, don’t worry you’re not alone. Multi-Phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that involves facial and jaw changes along with straightening teeth. This process allows Poser Orthodontics to create a healthy functional smile with results that remain stable after treatment. One benefit of Multi-Phase orthodontics in certain cases, it can prevent adult tooth extractions or major jaw surgery.

How does it work?

Multi-Phase orthodontics starts with interceptive orthodontic care. This is a process where Poser Orthodontics intercepts an oral problem before it continues to get unmanageable. Typically, treatment starts with younger children in order to manipulate teeth and growth before it’s too late. The best age for this is between 7 and 10-year-old. With interceptive orthodontics, treatment is about 4 to 12 months with monitoring of the child after that to discuss is possible second phase treatment.

Once a majority of the adult teeth have erupted, another phase of treatment can begin. The average treatment time of Multi-Phase is about 12 months of braces on the teeth. Retainers are worn after treatment to hold the correct position of the teeth.

If you are interested in learning more about Multi-Phase Orthodontics, contact Poser Orthodontics to discuss it more. We love answering questions and providing a solid foundation of information to those who are interested in treatment for their children or themselves. Call us at our Germantown office 262-255-6255 or our Wauwatosa office 414-476-2244.

Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe

If you want to celebrate National S'mores Day today, we encourage you to do so! Take our s'mores challenge and try something different by adding some flare to your s'mores! Try out this new s'more recipe and let us know what you think!

Do you have a s'more recipe you'd like to share with us? Post it on our Facebook wall!

Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 large chocolate chip cookies
• 4 teaspoons hot fudge ice cream topping
• 4 large marshmallows
• 4 peanut butter cups

Directions

• Spread the bottoms of four cookies with fudge topping.
• Using a long-handled fork, grill marshmallows 6 in. from medium-hot heat until golden brown, turning occasionally. Carefully place a marshmallow and a peanut butter cup on each fudge-topped cookie; top with remaining cookies. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

Poser Ortho Smiles of the Week

At Poser Orthodontics, we pride ourselves in providing the best care to the best patients in the Wauwatosa and Germantown areas. As we celebrate with our patients who just got braces put on, or just finished their braces and enter into retention, we love capturing every moment throughout the process and all the moments in between if we can!

Check out a few patients who flashed their #PoserOrtho this week at the office.

Do you want to be showcased on our blog? Take a picture at your next appointment at Poser Orthodontics and we will share it on our Facebook page or post it on our blog!

Don't "DIY" Orthodontics

Poser Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontists have a prompt announcement for consumers about “DIY” orthodontic treatment. It is with great urgency that we emphasize to you all to be cautious about the trending “DIY” orthodontic treatment because straightening your teeth on your own can lead to lifelong dental problems.

Do-It-Yourself videos and websites are popular among today’s culture, and while so many great ideas come from several of these outlets, there are some things that you just shouldn’t do yourself! Straightening your teeth or attempting to move your teeth as a “DIY” project is definitely one of the things you should not be doing. Moving and straightening teeth is a medical procedure that needs to be supervised by an orthodontist. It’s important for you all to be wary of any videos or websites that advise you to use objects such as rubber bands, dental floss, or anything else in order to get straight teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, “Moving teeth without a thorough examination of the overall health of the teeth and gums could result in the permanent loss of teeth, which may result in expensive and lifelong dental problems.”

If you have any further questions regarding “DIY” orthodontics, or are curious about straightening your teeth, please contact us at 262-255-6255.

Comfort Food

Do you have a hard time finding meals that are fit for your braces and your appetite? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. More than four million children and adults wear braces, and they also understand the difficulty of eating certain meals with braces. Because of this, we decided to find a few recipes that will give a new meaning to comfort food if you wear braces.

Click the picture of the meal to be linked to the ingredients list and recipe directions.

Basil & Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

Click here for the recipe. 

Buffalo Bacon Chicken Macaroni & Cheese

Click here for the recipe. 

Pizza Rigatoni

Click here for the recipe. 

These 3 meals aren’t just delicious, they’re braces friendly. Do you have any braces friendly recipes or dinner ideas to share with us? Leave a comment below or post one on our Facebook wall!

When do you need a mouth guard?

Poser Orthodontics wants to remind patients, coaches and athletes to play it safe when suiting up for recreational and organized sports. Since April is National Facial Protection Month, we wanted to share some info with you about a small piece of safety equipment that can make a big difference in preventing head or facial injuries; a mouth guard.

Protect those smiles this spring by wearing a mouth guard. Curious as to when you need to wear a mouth guard? That’s simple. You need a mouth guard any time you participate in sports, or physical activities. By wearing a mouth guard, you can reduce the risk of knocking out teeth or breaking your jaw; both major injures that can be costly to your body as well as your wallet.

Mouth guards are a smart investment for your health, so be sure to make the use of a mouth guard a routine. Many injures can be far less severe or even prevented just by wearing this safety piece. Please contact Poser Orthodontics if you have any further questions regarding protecting your smile or purchasing mouth guards.

Advantages of Damon System

The advantages of a self-ligating system over standard braces are significant. Aesthetically, metal Damon system brackets are less noticeable than the brackets of traditional metal braces.  Damon system braces now come in clear versions for the image conscious, which is another advantage in itself.

What can't be easily overlooked, however, is the reduced treatment time that can be experienced using the Damon system. Studies show Damon patients had treatment times that were more than a half a year shorter than patients with traditional metal braces. Damon patients had 47.8 percent fewer appointments as compared to the metal braces group in order to get their smiles looking great.

Because no friction is involved by using elastic or metal ligatures, teeth can slide more freely, thus shortening the treatment time, as well as causing less pain during treatment.

Lastly, the Damon system can lead to better oral health during orthodontic treatment, making your smile that much healthier when the braces come off.  For more information on Damon Braces, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at Poser Orthodontics located in Germantown & Wauwatosa for your convenience. 

Who Likes Shamrock Shakes?

Do you know what today is? Why, it's St. Patrick's Day lads! Today is a nationally celebrated day famously known for encouraging you to wear green to avoid getting pinched; receive a kiss for being Irish (or for not being Irish); and to have fun with the kids by eating green food and having talks of lucky pots of gold and leprechauns.

We know we're your orthodontic practice and St. Patrick's Day may be a little out of the spectrum of our expertise, but when it comes to our patients we love to encourage you to have fun and try new things! That's because Poser Orthodontics genuinely cares about our patients.

Check out this delicious recipe we hope you will try out today. Shamrock shakes are always a hit on St. Patty's Day!

Shamrock Shakes

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon mint extract, or more to taste
• 9 drops green food coloring
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, or to taste (optional)
• 2 tablespoons whipped cream, or to taste (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon green decorator sugar, or to taste (optional)

Directions:

• Blend ice cream, milk, mint extract, and food coloring together in a blender until smooth.
• Drizzle chocolate syrup around inside walls of 2 tall glasses; pour shake into glass. Top with whipped cream and green decorator sugar.

If you make these at home, please take some pics and share them with us on our Facebook wall! Feel free to tag us on our Instagram pictures too, using @poser_orthodontics and hashtag #poserortho.

What is the Damon System?

Dr. Poser specializes in Damon Braces offered at both Poser Orthodontic practices. The Damon System is a new way of treating patients in comparison to traditional metal braces.  Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces, and are specifically designed to improve the overall facial result of each patient.

With Damon Braces, there are 3 main components which provide faster treatment and better results:

1. Damon passive self-ligating braces that eliminate the need for elastic or metal "ties". With Damon tie-less braces you can experience treatment without tightening.
2. Light high-technology shape-memory wires that move teeth faster and require fewer adjustments.
3. A new clinically proven treatment approach that aligns your teeth and enhances your facial aesthetics—usually without extractions or rapid palatal expanders.

Damon Braces are also offered in clear brackets too helping our patients be discreet with their orthodontic treatment.  

Not all doctors can offer Damon braces, but Dr. Poser is certified in offering the Damon System to his patients, and can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.  Contact us now to set up a complimentary consultation.

National Pound Cake Day

This may sound a little odd, but today is National Pound Cake Day.National Pound Cake Day is annually observed in the United States on March 4th. Pound cake lovers, near and far, can celebrate with a slice (or two) of this delicious rich delight.

Traditionally, the name Pound Cake comes from the recipe itself. The recipe for pound cake makes a cake much larger than most families can consume, as it calls for a pound each of flour, butter, eggs and sugar.  You mix these ingredients together and bake to create a delicious moist cake ready for any toppings you'd like to add!

Check out this awesome video we found showing you how to make a pound cake using a blender!

We hope you enjoy this video. Do you have a good pound cake recipe you would like to share? Post it on our Facebook page & we will share it with our Facebook fans!

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.

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.