What is Orthodontics?

There are a rising number of adults nowadays seeking orthodontic treatment for a wide variety of reasons. Ranging from the same reasons children and teenagers are being treated, to some important differences which adults are faced with.  Several adults assume orthodontics provides only the solution of straightening out crooked teeth. Though this is a major factor as to why a majority of our patients seek treatment, there are several other important reasons why you may need to be treated by an orthodontist. 

Orthodontics involves the movement of the teeth within the jaw bones to straighten them and help them to bite more evenly together. Treatment is about making the best of your teeth; and improving the coordination of your mouth and jaws. It’s important to be treated by a certified orthodontist, rather than a general dentist, because orthodontists are fully qualified in this field completing further training and studies to specialize in orthodontics.

Dr. Poser and his team utilize state of the art orthodontic technology and techniques to ensure that you will enjoy optimal results, maximum comfort and the shortest treatment time possible. If you are ready to learn more about orthodontic treatment at Poser Orthodontics, give us a call at our Germantown office, 262-255-6255 or our Wauwatosa office, 414-476-2244.

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Common Friday the 13th Superstitions

Today is Friday the 13th! Did you know Friday the 13th is the most feared day in the United States? It's estimated that 17-20 million people actually fear this day and have tons of superstitions about it. Whether you believe it's unlucky or not, it is still fun to give into they hype and play along with some of these superstitions. We thought we would step back from our usual orthodontic related blog and have a little fun today! There is nothing that brings more joy to us at Poser Orthodontics than putting a smile on your face!

Keep reading to learn about 3 popular Friday the 13th Superstitions!

Common Friday the 13th Superstitions:

1. A rabbit's foot will bring you luck. Talismans and amulets are a time-honored way of fending off evil; consider the crosses and garlic that are supposed to keep vampires at bay. Rabbit feet as talismans may hark back to early Celtic tribes in Britain.
2. Beware of black cats crossing your path.  So why keep a black cat out of your path? Most likely, this superstition arises from old beliefs in witches and their animal familiars, which were often said to take the form of domestic animals like cats. 
3. Careful with that mirror.  According to folklore, breaking a mirror is a surefire way to doom yourself to seven years of bad luck. The superstition seems to arise from the belief that mirrors don't just reflect your image.

We hope you have a safe & lucky Friday the 13th! Do you know of any funny or outrageous superstitions? Post them below or on our Facebook wall! 

How To Floss With Braces

When you have braces, it's very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us at Poser Orthodontics and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.

Step 1: Using a piece of floss about 18 inches long, carefully thread the end between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.

Step 2: Carefully floss around the braces.


Step 3: Carefully floss around the gum areas.


Step 4: Carefully floss around each tooth.

What is the Damon 3 bracket?

Poser Orthodontics is pleased to offer our patients passive self-ligating Damon Smile braces. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the archwire, reducing the amount of pressure exerted on the teeth and allowing the teeth to move more freely, quickly, and comfortably. Thanks to these innovative new braces, achieving your perfect smile can be faster and easier than you ever thought possible!

What is the Damon 3 bracket?

The Damon 3 bracket offers several benefits for patients. It is made from stainless steel for stability and a clear material for aesthetics. The rounded structure improves patient comfort while maintaining overall performance.

The Damon 3 System uses a self-ligation technique using lighter wires and lower friction brackets to move teeth, resulting in faster treatment times. Its slide mechanism, strong mechanical base, bonding and solid wall structure control tooth movement with speed and efficiency.

In addition to greater comfort, the Damon System makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene because the brackets are easier to keep clean. This contributes to greater overall health, happiness and physical attractiveness for the duration of treatment at Poser Orthodontics.

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!

What to do with a loose or poking wire

During the first few months of orthodontic treatment with braces, the very light flexible wires that are used may occasionally be displaced.

If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax or a cotton ball until you can see Dr. Poser for an appointment.

If the main wire has come out of the tube on the back tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers. As a last resort, if you cannot come into our office, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or fingernail clipper close to the back of the last brace (bracket).

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.