This summer, smile with Invisalign Teen!

There’s good news for teenagers this summer at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics! We are proud to offer Invisalign Teen, a popular choice for straightening teeth without traditional wires and brackets.

Much like Invisalign for adults, Invisalign Teen is an alternative to metallic braces and is undetectable when worn. Invisalign moves teeth at a pace that is faster than traditional braces and are:

-Clear
-Removable
-Super comfortable
-Customized just for you

Invisalign aligners are really comfortable and very durable. They fit in with any of your extracurricular activities. So whether you’re swimming the 50 meter race, out on the field kicking the ball around, or playing the clarinet with the school’s band, you don’t have to worry about your braces getting in the way!

To better treat you and your loved ones and minimize your time away from school and work, ask us about our early morning hours! Hawks Prairie Orthodontics is conveniently located in Lacey Washington and Olympia Orthodontics is conveniently located in Olympia, we are currently serving new patients in University Place, Lakewood, Yelm, Tumwater, Dupont, Shelton, Centralia, and all surrounding communities.

We invite you to give us a call to schedule your free initial consultation!

May marks National Teen Self-Esteem Month!

At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, we know image is everything. Especially for today’s teenagers. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

Dr. Ehrmantrout and our team will tell you one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a consultation at our convenient offices in Lacey or Olympia After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation with Dr. Ehrmantrout?

We proudly provide Damon System Braces and Invisalign Teen for today’s image-conscious teens, and invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation or ask us on Facebook!

Dr. Ehrmantrout is a Premier Provider for Invisalign!

Did you know Dr. Zach Ehrmantrout is an Invisalign Premier Provider? He is one of only two doctors in the Olympia and Lacey area to achieve this distinction.

What makes an Invisalign Premier Provider so special?

Every doctor who wishes to offer Invisalign treatment must undergo training with the makers of Invisalign, and can then become a certified Invisalign provider. To reach Premier Provider status however, the doctor must complete many successful cases of Invisalign treatment each year. Dr. Ehrmantrout has achieved this distinction through extensive experience using Invisalign, and works with many patients each year to create beautiful smiles.

If you have been considering Invisalign treatment, know that you are in great hands at Hawks Prairie & Olympia Orthodontics! Give us a call at 360-491-4884 to schedule your free consultation for Invisalign or Invisalign Teen.

Hey, Dr. Ehrmantrout! What is Invisalign, and is it right for me? [Video]

We've discussed Invisalign treatment in the past, and thought we'd share with you a helpful video that walks you through the process of Invisalign a bit "clearer." The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at the offices of Dr. Zach Ehrmantrout in Lacey and Olympia.

Here's how it works: You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Ehrmantrout has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Ehrmantrout about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

If you've been wanting to straighten your teeth but are unsure about going through traditional orthodontic treatment, please give us a call to learn if Invisalign is the right option for you!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!!

Invisalign and your oral health

At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, we see smart patients who often ask Dr. Ehrmantrout how Invisalign treatment is so different than getting traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign than you may know. Invisalign, which is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, manages to straighten your teeth just as effectively as traditional braces, all while improving your oral health. Here’s how Invisalign can help improve your health, while shaping your healthy, beautiful smile:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Ehrmantrout the next time you’re in for a visit. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!

Ask Dr. Ehrmantrout: What is the benefit of Invisalign® Teen?

Dr. Ehrmantrout knows image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having metal brackets and wires constantly attached to teeth may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today's teens. But... not to worry! There is a clear alternative to traditional braces! The team at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics thought we'd remind you that Invisalign Teen gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

For many teens, Invisalign Teen offers a trouble-free, clear alternative to traditional braces; and not only that, but it offers them the chance to have straight teeth without losing self-confidence!

So how does Invisalign Teen work? Invisalign Teen works in the same way as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

The treatment period for Invisalign Teen varies from nine to 18 months. If your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen.

Happy Tuesday!

Continuing Education At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics

When not working with patients at our Lacey and new Olympia offices, Dr. Ehrmantrout and staff are working to continue their education in the field of orthodontics through forums, study groups, and seminars.

Quarterly Invisalign Study Clubs

Every quarter, Hawks Prairie Orthodontics hosts an Invisalign study club for dental hygienists in the community. The next study club will be held at our new Olympia office on July 29th. Our hope with these events is to educate the dental and orthodontic community on the best practices of one of the most talked about treatments in the field, Invisalign. Dr. Ehrmantrout has treated many Invisalign cases the community, and will soon be receiving his Invisalign Premier Provider certification.

Annual Damon Forum

Each year, the entire team attends the Damon Forum, a yearly educational gathering for orthodontists offering the Damon System. We learn about new technologies and treatments to serve our patients better.

Levin Group Practice Management Seminar

Hawks Prairie Orthodontics is not just about Dr. Ehrmantrout and the clinical assistants. Our front office staff help our day to day operations, and help make your experience at our office enjoyable and worry-free. Therefore we are participating in a practice management seminar this week to find new and better ways to run both of our orthodontic offices.

All of these educational opportunities mean when you visit us at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, you can rest assured that we are keeping up with the cutting edge of orthodontic technologies and practice, and providing you the highest level of service.

Hawks Prairie Orthodontics New Location in Olympia, Washington!

This week is a very exciting day for Hawks Prairie Orthodontics; our Olympia office has officially opened! Dr. Ehrmantrout is an Olympia native, and the addition of this new office will allow us to serve you, the Olympia and surrounding communities, better than ever before!

Please note that with the opening of the new office, the hours of both offices have changed!

New Lacey Office Hours

Monday & Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm

Wednesday & Thursday: 8-30am-6:00pm

Friday: By Appointment Only

New Olympia Office Hours

Monday & Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm

Wednesday & Thursday: Closed

Friday: By Appointment Only

Come see our new Olympia office today!

12 Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems in Children

Because orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth or teeth while a child still has primary or “baby” teeth present, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends all children get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age seven.



Some problems are not so subtle, and you may notice them early on. If you see any of the following signs in your child, please make an appointment with Dr. Ehrmantrout immediately. (If your child is younger than seven, it is not necessary to wait till his or her seventh birthday to visit our office.) We want to identify any problems as early as possible so that we can implement the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time for your child’s individual needs.

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty in chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
6. Speech difficulty
7. Jaws that shift or make sounds
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Teeth that stick out too far
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don't meet at all
11. Upper and lower jaws that don’t line up
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

If your child is displaying any of these signs, contact us and set up an appointment!

Imagining Your Life With Invisalign -- Hawks Prarie Orthodontics

Wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan. Give us a call today at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics to come in for an Invisalign consultation.

The Tooth Fairy - Olympia Orthodontist

Losing your first tooth, or any baby tooth for that matter, can be exciting! Your baby tooth may be gone, but in no time you will have a bigger, “grown-up” tooth in its place. So what do you do with the lost tooth? That’s simple…place it under your pillow at night and when you are fast asleep the tooth fairy will come and whisk your tooth away leaving behind a special gift just for you! Here’s a simple craft project I found a little while back that will help make the tooth fairy’s job a little easier and give your tooth a special place to stay until it is taken away. Please click on the link for instructions and pictures!

Tooth Fairy “Tooth” Box
(remember to ask your parents for help when using hot glue and scissors)

What you will need
• 1 large empty match box
• Enough felt to wrap the box and inside sliding tray
• Ribbon
• Glue (tacky glue or a hot glue gun)
• Markers
• White, pink and blue (or your favorite color) felt for decorating the matchbox
• Scissors

Step 1: Pull the inner tray out of the box and line the inside with glue and felt as shown. Wrap the outside of the box with felt and glue it in place.

Step 2: Glue ribbon to the outside of the box in a hanging loop shape. Fold another piece of ribbon in half and glue it to the bottom of the inner tray to create a handle for sliding it in and out.

Step 3: Draw a tooth shape on paper, cut it out, and trace it onto the white felt twice. Cut out the teeth and face details.

Step 4: Decorate the teeth with the eyes and cheeks and draw on a mouth. Glue one tooth to the outside of the box.

Step 5: Create a tooth pocket by applying glue to the sides and bottom of the remaining tooth as shown, leaving an opening at the top. Glue the pocket to the inside tray. Once the glue dries, the box is Tooth Fairy-ready. Have your child put the tooth inside the inner pocket and hang it outside their door before your child goes to bed!

Invisalign World Wide

For those of you who don’t already know, Invisalign® is a great way for orthodontic patients to straighten their teeth without worrying about having a mouth full of metal wires and brackets. Recently I travelled to Costa Rica for an Invisalign study group and a chance to meet with my dedicated Invisalign technicians.

After returning from the study sessions I am pleased to announce that Hawks Prairie Orthodontics now offers Invisalign Teen for qualified teenage patients. Invisalign Teen aligners are made especially for teens! Teens can wear the invisible aligners without the worry or self-consciousness of traditional metal braces. Invisalign aligners are clear and unnoticeable, they are easy to take care of, simple to remove and most importantly, the aligners are comfortable! We do still offer adult Invisalign treatment as well; so if you are an adult or teen and interested in orthodontic treatment without all the metal, please contact our office and find out more about Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.

Braces that make even Teens Smile!

In the past Invisalign® has been used to treat adult patients; however, Align Technology (the makers of Invisalign) have created Invisalign Teen – which is great news for all teenage orthodontic patients!

So how does Invisalign Teen work? Invisalign Teen works in the same way as Invisalign, but with a few added characteristics tailored specifically to teenagers’ lifestyles. For instance, Invisalign Teen is designed with “compliance indicators” that fade from dark to light during the two week period that particular tray is used and once it has faded teens know to change trays. Each aligner comes with up to six free individual replacement aligners in case the original aligner ends up lost or broken. Another big benefit for the patient!

As an orthodontist, one of the greatest concerns about Invisalign for teens was that many teens began treatment when they were much younger and many of their permanent teeth had not erupted. With Invisalign Teen this is no longer a concern! If permanent teeth are still on their way in, orthodontists can order special aligners with specially designed tabs that allow permanent teeth to erupt without disrupting the progress of the other teeth, but still come in straight.

For many teens, Invisalign Teen offers a trouble-free, clear alternative to traditional braces; and not only that, but it offers them the chance to have straight teeth without losing self-confidence! If you or your teen is considering orthodontic treatment, please contact us and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign Teen – the invisible braces that can make even teens smile about orthodontics!

iBraces or Invisalign?

Lingual braces (ibraces) are similar to braces placed on the cheek surface of the teeth in terms of adjustment time. It will take approximately 2 weeks for the patients tongue to adjust to the braces. In terms of price, lingual braces are more expensive due to a significant lab cost, however this payment is spread out (if neccessary) over the course of treatment. My office does offer Invisalign as well, and I feel that we can accomplish our goals with Invisalign in most cases. The cost of Invisalign is within a few hundred dollars of our braces placed on the cheek surface of the tooth. Call our office for a consultation to determine the perfect method for you!

What’s so Special About an Orthodontist?

We often find our patients wondering about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist.

Dr. Ehrmantrout started out in dental school and got a DDS (dental) degree, just like your dentist. But after dental school, Dr. Ehrmantrout decided he/she wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties in the dental field.

So he/she stayed in a school for a few more years to become an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites.

Toothbrush Trivia

People have been brushing their teeth for thousands of years! In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced and people quickly became aware of practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush (and toothpaste):

· Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color

· The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India

· On average, children smile about 400 times per day

· Your toothbrush should be replaced every two months

· The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873

$1.50 for a Cavity

Vending machines are a quick way to satisfy hunger. You put in $1.50 and you get back a candy bar, bag of chips or even a soda…but that’s not all! Vending machines not only dispense sweet treats and caffeine bursts, but they also dispense cavities!


Every time you chow down on that chocolate bar the bacteria in your mouth have a party feasting on the sugar. The sugar quickly turns into acid; that’s right, ACID!!! The acid sits on your teeth and eats away at the tooth’s natural enamel (the stuff that protects your tooth from decay). When this enamel is eaten away by the acid on your tooth, you get a cavity! Brushing your teeth after eating a sugary treat can help prevent cavities; but before you indulge remind yourself: “can’t brush? Hold the sugar!”

When choosing a snack, consider these nutritional options that will not only satisfy your hunger and that “sweet tooth”, but won’t cause acid build up resulting in cavities:

· Fresh Fruits (berries, oranges, melon, pears, etc)

· Raw Vegetables (broccoli, celery, carrots, etc)

· Bread

· Pretzels (low salt)

· Milk (low or non-fat)

· Cheese (low or non-fat)

· Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc)

· Sliced meat

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

iBraces - The Next Generation

I stumbled across this very cute and funny video and had to share. Though traditional iBraces aren't exactly like this, it's still quite fun to watch:



To learn about what iBraces are really like, keep reading this blog for more information.

Science Evolves and Orthodontics Follows

As an orthodontist in Olympia, WA, I try to keep up with the latest trends and scientific achievements. Despite all the things I've heard people try in orthodontics, this latest treatment surprised even me: Researchers Use A Patient's Own Bone To Accelerate Orthodontics.

As the bone begins to heal, it softens slightly, allowing teeth to be moved into alignment with dental braces in a matter of months, rather than the years required with traditional orthodontics. The cost for accelerated orthodontics typically ranges from $10,000 to $15,000, depending on the course of treatment.

For those of you who don't want to read the whole thing, let me quickly summarize it for you: Accelerated orthodontics is a new form of treatment that involves surgery and bone grafting to help speed up the orthodontic process. This is typically used with adults who's bones have already matured. From the sounds of it, the procedure seems a bit too invasive. If you're looking for a quick and successful way to achieve that perfect smile, consider Damon System Braces instead.