Eagan, MN Orthodontist Promotes Alignment for a Lifetime

July 11, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Like braces, orthodontic retainers have been considered a rite of passage into adulthood for many teenagers- worn for a short time as the final step in the teeth alignment process.

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, MN orthodontist.

“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, MN 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 Google 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 article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Eagan Orthodontics Practice Sponsors Children’s Activities At Eagan Art Festival

Tuesday, June 2, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, who runs an Eagan, MN orthodontics practice, will sponsor the children’s activities tent at the Eagan Art Festival June 27-28.

This is the third year Eisenhuth has sponsored the activities tent.

“This is a wonderful event that doesn’t cost anything for the children,” said Eisenhuth, an Eagan braces expert. “In the past, they have had the opportunity to make kites and design T-shirts, and I think the kids will enjoy what is in store for them this year.”

The focus for this year’s activity is on kinetic art, which is art that moves, said Wanda Bornan, manager of the Eagan Art Festival.

Bornan works with the Eagan Art House for the children’s activities and this year, children will create mobiles at the children’s activity tent, she said. Some mobiles will be made with recycled materials. The activity is geared so that it is accessible to children of all ages. A more simplified version of the project will be presented to preschool-aged children, while school-aged students will make more complex pieces.

“We like to be involved in activities such as this because we really enjoy giving back to the community,” Eisenhuth said. “As an orthodontist, we have a lot of contact with local children and we work hard to make our office an exciting place for them. But we also feel that it is important to help the local community provide exciting opportunities for children as well.”

The Eagan Art Festival is in its 15th year. It will be held from 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. on June 27 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 28. The festival is held on the Eagan Community Festival Grounds at 1501 Central Parkway. It is a free event that features artisans, entertainment, food and art activities for children and adults.

For more information on the festival, please call (651) 269-2787.

Learn More
If you would like more information about 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 Orthodontist 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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Apple Valley, Minnesota Orthodontist Treats Impacted Teeth

Monday, May 31, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – In a perfect world of dealing with imperfect teeth, an orthodontist can place braces on the teeth and achieve proper alignment for patients over the course of treatment.

But sometimes, straightening teeth isn’t so simple; particularly in the case of impacted teeth, said Apple Valley Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

Eisenhuth occasionally treats patients with impacted teeth at her Apple Valley, Minnesota orthodontics practice and she thinks “it’s amazing what can be done to correct this problem,” she said.

Tooth impaction occurs when a tooth cannot erupt because it is blocked by another tooth, bone or soft tissue. It is important that impacted teeth be treated because without treatment, they can cause future dental problems, Eisenhuth said. As impacted teeth attempt to erupt, they can press against the teeth or bone that are blocking them and cause jaw pain.

Impacted canine teeth in particular can cause a host of problems.

“Canines can erupt into an unfavorable position, sometimes even causing an adult tooth to fall out,” Eisenhuth said.

Impacted teeth also can create unwanted spaces in the mouth, damage the roots of nearby teeth, lead the teeth to function improperly or adversely impact the sinus cavity.

There are several methods of addressing impacted teeth:

•Expanders- used to create needed space for the tooth to improve its eruption path.

•Open forced eruption- patient is referred to an oral surgeon, who will uncover the impacted tooth by creating a flap and leaving an area to place a button or bracket on it.

•Closed Forced Eruption- similar to open forced eruption, but the flap is closed once the button or braces are placed on the impacted tooth.

•Extraction- tooth is removed and any space left in the area can be treated by placing a dental implant or by closing the space via orthodontic methods.

•Surgical Repositioning- helpful in cases where impacted teeth have proven otherwise difficult to treat, this method involves carefully repositioning the tooth, which often is growing in the wrong direction and placing it in a semi-erupted position to provide the best chance for it to grow into place properly.

Read the full article titled "Apple Valley, Minnesota Orthodontist Treats Impacted Teeth".

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about how impacted teeth are treated through orthodontics, if 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.

© 2009 Sinai Orthodontic 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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Article Written by Eagan, MN Orthodontist Published in Minnesota Magazine

May 8, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – The May issue of Minnesota Health Care News features an article on Phase 1 treatment written by Eagan, MN Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

This is the second article the Eagan braces expert has written for the monthly publication, which is dedicated to consumer advocacy. The publication is written primarily by doctors and other healthcare professionals in an effort to educate readers on popular health-related topics.

The article written by Eisenhuth discusses the benefits and importance of early orthodontic- also referred to as Phase 1- treatment, said Eisenhuth, an Eagan Invisalign provider.

“This is a topic that I’m passionate about, and it’s important to me that parents are educated on Phase 1 treatment,” she said. “Early treatment can correct problems that could only be corrected with surgery down the road if left untreated. Parents need to know about these options.”

The idea of making future orthodontic treatment simpler is why Eisenhuth promotes Phase 1 treatment within her Eagan orthodontics practice, she said.

Phase 1 orthodontics refers to steps taken to correct poor oral habits and some malocclusion issues in children before all of their permanent teeth have grown in. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be seen by an orthodontist by their seventh birthday. (http://www.braces.org/knowmore/treatment/) Some children require earlier treatment.

The benefits of Phase 1 treatment are numerous, Eisenhuth said. Early treatment can prevent the need to extract teeth in the future. It also can render oral and/or facial surgery unnecessary by preventing teeth from becoming impacted.

Another reason parents should seek early intervention for their children is to correct unhealthy habits such as tongue-thrusting, mouth-breathing and thumb-sucking, she said.

Treating children when they are young creates a window of opportunity to correct some problems that is impossible without surgery once a child is about 8 years old. In cases where children need to have their upper jaw widened, that process must be completed before the jaw bones fuse together, which typically occurs by age 8, Eisenhuth said.

Eisenhuth provides a great deal of orthodontic treatment information on her Web site and its blog, in hope of providing valuable resources for parents and would-be patients.

“When the opportunity presented itself to write an article on early treatment for Minnesota Health Care News, I jumped at it, because it created another avenue for spreading the word on this important topic,” she said.

Minnesota Health Care News is available by subscription. For more information, visit the publication’s Web site: www.mppub.com.

Learn More
If you would like more information about Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or are interested in scheduling a 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 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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Minnesota Orthodontist Touts Benefits of Self-Ligating Brackets

May 7, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – It seems that we live in a society where our physical appearance means everything and we want instant results when it comes to correcting flaws.

While few options deliver immediate results, technology continues to address this demand for fast-acting products when it comes to the orthodontic field, said Minnesota Invisalign expert Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

Eisenhuth introduced self-ligating brackets to her practice about five years ago and Clarity SL self-ligating brackets nearly two years ago. Patients who choose that option are happy with the speed in which treatment can be completed, she said. The brackets also are made from a translucent ceramic, which makes them less noticeable. This option appeals to patients who want others to notice their smiles, not their braces.

“Patients can typically expect to complete their treatment in 14 to 18 months,” said the Minneapolis, Minnesota orthodontist.

They also require fewer appointments. Patients typically come in for an adjustment once every two to three months.

Traditional braces typically are worn for 18 to 24 months and need to be adjusted by the orthodontist every four to six weeks. At each appointment, the archwire and the rubber bands that hold the archwire in place must be replaced.

Self-ligating brackets such as Clarity SL are equipped with a mechanism that clips onto the archwire and eliminates the need for rubber bands to hold the wires in place. This set-up also allows the archwire to slide more freely through such brackets, which makes tooth movement easier during the alignment process.

“In my opinion, the biggest advantage to these brackets is the low friction combined with an aesthetic bracket,” Eisenhuth said.

Low friction brackets are especially useful in patients who require tooth removal for ideal correction. Patients whose mouths are overly crowded or who didn’t undergo Phase 1 treatment as children sometimes must have teeth removed to make permanent alignment more successful, she said.

Self-ligating brackets also are useful for patients who require a large correction of the bite. This is because the teeth move more quickly using the self-ligating bracket system, while elastics work more quickly in lower friction systems, Eisenhuth said.

Adults with a crowded mouth and are undergoing orthodontic treatment with traditional brackets can be in treatment as long as 30 months, she said. However, the Clarity SL lower friction system can finish the case in closer to 24 months.

Read the full article titled "Minnesota Orthodontist Touts Benefits of Self-Ligating Brackets".

Learn More

If you would like 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.

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.

© 2009 Sinai 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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Continuing Education Is a Staple for Eagan, MN Orthodontics Practice

April 7, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Several members of Eagan Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth’s staff recently participated in three continuing education seminars and training events.

They recently completed in-house courses by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration course on infection control, the Center for Disease Control course on preventing cross contamination and a seminar on patient education, which was held in San Diego last month.

Eisenhuth and members of her staff at her St. Paul, MN orthodontics practice participate in events such as this several times per year because they not only want to continue learning about how to provide the best in orthodontics, they also strive to improve in other areas of the practice.

The OSHA course is required every two years, but Eisenhuth schedules them annually, she said.

“We address infection control because it’s very important and our staff needs to constantly be aware of our policies and what to do in the event of an incident,” said the MN braces expert. “We want to make sure everyone in the office is on the same page.”

OSHA regulations are frequently updated, so participating in the continuing education opportunities ensures staff is kept up to speed with the latest regulations and practices.

The CDC cross-contamination prevention course addressed personal protection, such as the use of gloves, proper uniforms, eye protection and the importance of cleaning and disinfecting equipment and appliances, Eisenhuth said.

The San Diego course on patient education gave staff an opportunity to learn to better educate patients.

“That is important to us,” Eisenhuth said. “The more informed patients are, the easier it is for them to make sound decisions.”

Continuing education in this area helps ensure Eisenhuth and her staff are able to educate patients at the highest level to make an informed decision when determining the level of orthodontics that would best benefit them.

Education goes beyond assisting potential patients in making an initial decision on orthodontic treatment. Focusing on maintaining open lines of communication also is important because it reduces the level of prospective problems that can occur during treatment, she said.

“It’s our job to strive to do the best we can in providing an ongoing dialog regarding treatment and care for patients with braces,” she said. “We need to make sure they understand the importance of cleaning their braces, flossing and using the Sonicare toothbrush we provide for them.”

These healthy oral hygiene routines can prevent the negative impacts of not taking care of the teeth.

Learn More
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation at the Eagan orthodontics practice of Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, 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 Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai 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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Minnesota Orthodontics Expert Teams Up With Speech Specialist to Correct Impediments

Tuesday, March 3, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Orthodontists have made the case for years about the importance of early orthodontic evaluations for children.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, and the reasons are more than just cosmetic. Many problems children develop that may lead to speech impediments can be corrected through early orthodontic treatment.

Minnesota orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth has worked closely with speech therapists to correct speech impediments in young patients with tongue thrust.

Tongue thrust occurs when the tongue contacts more than half the surface area of either the upper or lower front teeth while in a resting position, according to the Center for Speech and Language Pathology’s Web site (http://www.speechtherapyct.com/glossary.htm).

All children are born with a tongue thrust swallow pattern, Eisenhuth said. This occurs when an infant with no teeth brings his/her tongue forward to create a seal between the gums to enable food and milk to go back in the mouth and be swallowed.

A natural transition typically occurs by the time a child reaches age 7 and the child begins placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth when swallowing. If this transition doesn’t occur and the child continues placing the tongue between the teeth while swallowing, the muscles around the teeth and lips continue to be used in the swallowing pattern instead of the throat muscles.

When children continue swallowing in the same manner as when they lacked teeth, it creates a block for the teeth to erupt and often causes them to develop an open bite. An open bite prevents the teeth from touching. If the condition is not caught early enough, the tongue thrust also can affect skeletal development, creating a dental and a skeletal open bite, which is even more difficult to correct, Eisenhuth said. Sometimes a combination of orthodontics and surgery is required to correct this particular form of open bite.

Even if they don’t require corrective surgery, open bites often still require a combination of treatment, typically from an orthodontist and a speech therapist to permanently correct the problem, Eisenhuth said.

“Open bites are difficult to correct, and if the tongue thrust pattern isn't caught and changed by working with a speech therapist, any orthodontic correction of the bite will likely return,” she said.

That is why the two professions must work together. Orthodontists fix the bite and speech therapists work to correct the swallow pattern.

Tongue thrust frequently is initially diagnosed by an orthodontist or the family dentist who notices that the teeth are positioned irregularly. Eisenhuth evaluates the swallow pattern of each patient she sees to determine whether tongue thrust exists. If she detects the abnormal swallow pattern, she refers them to a speech therapist.

“Along with that specialist, we improve the swallow and the occlusion,” she said. “Typically, if caught before age 8, together we can create a normal bite within one year of detection.”

A speech therapist works with the child by providing “exercises for the lips, tongue and jaw that are designed to change an incorrect or immature swallow to an adult pattern that is beneficial to the positioning of teeth and to correct articulation of speech sounds,” according to the Hearing, Speech and Deafness Center Web site, (http://www.hsdc.org/Child/Speech/tonguethrust.htm ). The condition usually can be corrected in three to six months.

Read the full article titled "Minnesota Orthodontics Expert Teams Up With Speech Specialist to Correct Impediments".

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about how tongue thrust is treated at the Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.

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

© 2009 Sinai Dental Web Site 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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