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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Eagan, MN Orthodontist Promotes Oral Hygiene for National Children’s Dental Health Month

February 9, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and Eagan, MN Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth is spending the month promoting good oral hygiene among children.

For the past 13 years, Eisenhuth and her staff have visited various organizations and schools to talk about the importance of oral health. This year, she and her staff will give away toothbrushes, dental floss and toothpaste and will focus on several topics that promote good oral hygiene, including:

· Teeth brushing techniques- It takes two minutes to properly brush using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth. Don’t forget to brush your tongue. Electric and sonic toothbrushes are great to use, too.

· Flossing- hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and insert it between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.

· Carbonated, sugary drinks- these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided. If you’re going to drink one of these drinks, don’t sip on it throughout the day; drink it and then brush your teeth.

· Snack wisely- choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

· Avoid tobacco products- children should avoid peer pressure to try tobacco products for various health reasons, but tobacco use can be detrimental to oral health, too.

· Routine dental visits- you should go to the dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Children’s Dental Health Month is in its 60th year. The American Dental Association has spent every February since 1949 working to increase awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country since then, according to the ADA Web site (http://www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/ncdhm.asp#general).

“It’s important for children to develop healthy habits at an early age to set the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums,” Eisenhuth said. “National Children’s Dental Health Month is a great opportunity for us to help make that happen.”

Learn More

If your school or organization would like Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth and her staff to conduct a presentation during National Children’s Dental Health Month, visit her Web site, www.doctorjennifer.com, or call (651) 406-8100.

If you are in Eagan, MN braces are just a phone call away. 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 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 press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Minneapolis, MN Orthodontics Specialist Uses Invisalign in Case Where Traditional Braces Aren’t an Option

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – In most cases, traditional braces with brackets and wires are the first line of defense in the St. Paul, MN practice orthodontics of Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

But when a patient presented recently with compromised enamel due to a congenital defect in the formation of the teeth, Eisenhuth had to take a different approach to correcting the alignment issues.

For the first time, Eisenhuth used Invisalign Teen. This fairly new Invisalign product was introduced in July by Align Technology, Inc. It was designed to address the specific needs of teenagers seeking orthodontic treatment. For example, the aligners possess features that address the natural eruption of second molars and root control issues common in teenage patients.

Other than that, Invisalign Teen operates in the same fashion as the traditional Invisalign system. It includes a series of clear plastic aligners custom-designed to address the needs of each individual patient. Patients wear each set of aligners for approximately two weeks at a time until the teeth have reached their intended position.

What makes Invisalign Teen slightly different from its parent product is its compliance indicator. The aligners come equipped with a small blue dot that fades with wear. The more patients wear their aligners, the quicker the blue dot disappears.

“The Invisalign trays only work if they are being worn as recommended,” Eisenhuth said. “They don't work when they sit in their case, so the patient has to be committed to wearing the trays as directed to achieve an optimal result.”

Invisalign Teen is a great product for this specific patient, she said, adding, “It was the perfect answer because nothing will be bonded to the enamel, yet we will improve alignment and occlusion with this product.”

Read the full article tiltled "Minneapolis, MN Orthodontics Specialist Uses Invisalign in Case Where Traditional Braces Aren’t an Option".

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about Eagan, MN orthodontics practice 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.

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© 2009 Sinai Dental Web 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.

Eagan, MN Orthodontist Celebrates Three Years At Location

January 3, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – January marks the third year that Eagan, MN orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth has been at her Sherman Court location.Since she began her career, Eisenhuth’s practice has been known throughout the Twin Cities area as a state-of-the-art clinic that is on the cutting edge of the latest orthodontic technology. When she moved to her current 4,000 square-foot location, the extra room enabled her to share her knowledge by providing continuing education classes on this technology to general dentists and their staff.

Staying “very involved” with advancements in orthodontics brings the responsibility of sharing that information with other dental professionals, Eisenhuth said. The continuing education classes she offers are designed to educate dentists and their staff on the latest appliances and techniques being employed by orthodontists to correct myriad malocclusions in patients of all ages.

“Rather than having their patients come in with new appliances in their mouths that many dentists have never seen, we thought it would be helpful to offer seminars on the latest technology so dentists could gain an understanding of how the new materials and appliances are working,” she said. “This is just another way of providing a high level of communication to the dental community.”

The Eagan location offers many more amenities than the conference room for continuing education. The practice went “paperless” nine years ago, so the office is equipped with computers in each operatory to record patient information. Digital X-ray equipment has eliminated the need for the chemicals that were required to develop traditional X-ray film.

The operatories also are semi-private to allow Eisenhuth’s patients more privacy than is available at most traditional orthodontic clinics, which have open floor plans.

“As we enter our third year here, we will continue to invest in new technology to keep our office a state-of-the-art facility,” Eisenhuth said. “We also will continue to do everything we can to make this a kid-friendly, supportive office where our young patients are excited about being here.”

Learn More

If you are in Eagan or Apple Valley, MN, braces are just a phone call away. To learn more about Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth’s orthodontic practice, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit Dr. Eisenhuth’s Web site: www.doctorjennifer.com. Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth

Dr. Jennifer 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 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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Minneapolis, MN Orthodontist Shares Tips For Selecting A Professional

January 2, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Many parents will make straight teeth for their children a New Year’s resolution this year.

It’s important for parents and would-be patients to know how to select the best professional for the job, said Minneapolis Orthodontics Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

Knowing the types of questions to ask can go a long way toward finding the right orthodontist for the job.

“This isn’t a decision that should be entered into lightly,” Eisenhuth said. “As with any profession, there are differing personalities, levels of expertise and experience, so you want to choose wisely. This is someone who will be part of your life for the next several months or even years.”


Board Certification

One way to help ensure optimum results throughout orthodontic treatment is to select an orthodontist who has gone through the rigorous process of obtaining certification through The American Board of Orthodontics, said Eisenhuth, a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

Potential patients can verify whether an orthodontist is a Diplomate by entering the orthodontist’s name in the ABO Diplomate search on its Web site: www.americanboardortho.com.


Orthodontist vs. Dentist

It seems that everywhere you turn, more general and cosmetic dentists are incorporating orthodontics into their practices, so it’s a good idea to learn a bit about the differences in education when determining whether to select an orthodontist or other dental professional when getting braces, Eisenhuth said.

Dentists and orthodontists all graduate from dental school, but it’s what happens after graduation that separates the professions. An orthodontist is a specialist in that field. Being accepted into an orthodontic residency is a highly competitive process and only the top dental school graduates are accepted.


Questions to Ask

“You absolutely have the right to ask a professional to prove to you why you should select them to perform your procedure,” Eisenhuth said.

These are some questions she suggested patients ask during a consultation:

* When providing treatment for other patients, how often was the treatment time table exceeded?
* Are there patients you can contact and ask about their treatment experience?
* Have they completed a residency and are they board certified?
* Can you see photographic examples of results they have obtained from treatments similar to the type that you require?
* Are there hidden fees, or does the cost outlined include everything from diagnostic records to retention checks?
* Does the treatment plan continue for a period of time after the braces are removed to ensure the teeth remain straight?


Comfort

Especially with children and young teens, it is “extremely beneficial for the patient to be comfortable and excited about the treatment and the level of comfort they have with their orthodontist,” Eisenhuth said. “This makes the overall treatment much easier because the patient is liable to be more compliant.”

Read the full article title "Minneapolis, MN Orthodontist Shares Tips For Selecting A Professional".

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about the MN orthodontist, 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 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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