Orthodontists vs. Dentists - Do you know the difference?

Do you know the difference between
what we do at Prose Orthodontics
and what your dentist does?  

Here is another helpful chart...




Please feel free to contact us at 630-584-6555 with any questions!

Invisalign Possibilities

Have you ever thought of what your smile would look like with 
Invisalign treatment? 

From your desktop use your phone's QR scanner or 
follow the link below to check out the possibilities...

https://providerbio.invisalign.com/sv/sprose

Treat your braces right!

To all our Ghosts and Goblins...

At this time of year we all love apple picking, pumpkin carving, & all of the fun family activities around the Fox River Valley area. But do you want to know what really give us a fright? Halloween candy! If you are wearing braces please avoid any candy that is sticky, hard, or chewy. These can damage brackets & wires and will require an extra appointment if something breaks. If you are wearing clear aligners you will be happy to know you can eat anything as long as you take out your aligners while eating. Please brush and floss your fangs after you have enjoyed your braces/aligner approved treats!

New Retainer? No impression necessary!

This blog was originally posted in 2017...

Is it time for a new retainer?

Retainers are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. 

At Prose Orthodontics, we recommend lifetime nightly retainer wear  

after your smile has been corrected through our Damon Braces or Invisalign.

The ligaments and tissues in your mouth need time to adjust to the teeth's new locations and hold them in place.  These ligaments are tempted to snap back into their original positions; taking the teeth with them slowly.  The retainer ensures that your teeth remain in their new location.

You will need to call us for a new retainer if yours falls into 1 or more of these categories:

1. It is broken or damaged.  Retainers are commonly damaged by getting stepped on, sat on, or chewed up by the family dog.
2. It is worn our from normal wear.  Most retainers last 2-3 years, or possibly much longer with the proper care and maintenance.  If you notice discoloration, calcium buildup, distortion, or a loose fit, it may be time for a new one.
3. It no longer fits correctly.  It's your job to minimize movement by wearing your retainer regularly; according to Dr. Prose's instructions. If your teeth shift so much that your retainer doesn't fit right, Dr. Prose may be able to adjust it. If not, it will need to be replaced.

New retainer? No impression necessary!

No more goop, gagging, or discomfort.  Using our Itero scanner we take a highly accurate digital image of your teeth.  This new technology completely eliminates the tray and putty impressions!

If your lower bonded retainer comes out or gets loose on one side. Please call our office at 630-584-6555 to schedule an appointment to have it repaired as soon as possible. 

As always please call with any questions!

We are so excited that the hot weather has finally arrived &
summer feels like it is finally here!

At Prose Orthodontics we want to make sure that you enjoy your summer while taking care of your braces, aligners, & oral care. 

While packing for a family vacation or summer camp, remember to bring along everything you need to take care for your braces or aligners.  Also, if you are in any summer sports make sure to have a mouthguard with you to protect your teeth & braces.

Forgetting to care for your teeth & braces can lead to various dental issues & could prolong your treatment time.  When your bags are getting packed make sure you bring along the following:

• Toothbrush 
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Christmas tree brushes
• Orthodontic wax
• Mouthwash
• Extra case for retainers/aligners

In case of an emergency make sure to have contact information for a local orthodontic office near where you will be staying.  If you can't visit an orthodontic office during your trip, make sure to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible to have the issue fixed.

At picnics or outings make sure to avoid summer treats like sticky/hard candies, corn on the cob, popcorn, or really hard pretzels & chips. 

Please call with any questions & have a great summer!

Keep your treatment on track this summer!

Keep your treatment on track this summer!

We know that our patients hate the thought of delaying their treatment especially when sitting poolside with the family, traveling to summer camp, or just running around the yard
before the night is over!

You have a great deal of influence on the outcome of your treatment! We have provided the game plan &
here is what you can do to help...

♥ Clean your teeth & aligners/braces thoroughly every day.

♥ Keep your appointments.

♥ Avoid damage to your aligners/braces/wires. Please report if broken or lost  immediately.  Even if you have an appointment on the same day or the next, please let us know, so we can be prepared.

♥ Wear your elastics as prescribed if you have been asked to wear them.

♥ Wear your aligners 21-22 hours per day & make sure to change them as scheduled.

Whatever you have planned this summer, we hope it is full of fun, friends, and new memories. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment over the next few months – or anytime – you can always call or text us at 630-584-6555.  We are here to help & encourage you in your orthodontic journey.

At-Home-Orthodontics Consumer Alerts

Never sell your smile short!
You deserve only the best orthodontic care...

Questions to Consider When Researching Direct-To-Consumer Orthodontic Companies...

Some online orthodontic companies make their treatment sound so easy. Perhaps you take a selfie and/or an impression of your teeth or get your teeth scanned. Next, you receive aligners in the mail and after so many months – straight teeth! Right? What else is there to think about?

At Prose Orthodontics we want you to understand that before you decide to proceed with a direct-to-consumer orthodontic company, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) believes there are a number of factors and questions you may want to consider. For example, in some instances direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies do not involve the in-person evaluation and/or in-person supervision of your orthodontic treatment by an orthodontist. 

An in-person evaluation and in-person supervision throughout treatment is very important, because there is more to creating a healthy, beautiful smile than moving the visible portions of your teeth.

Orthodontic treatment involves the movement of biological material, which if not done correctly could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues. 

For an example of a consumer who claims to have had an issue with her orthodontic treatment, click here to view a news story. 

Consider this question: What other transforming medical treatment would you undergo without an in-person, pre-treatment evaluation or ongoing
in-person supervision from a medical professional.

Please click here for the list of questions to consider.