Why Invisalign? From Dr. Ehrmantrout

Are you interested in straightening your teeth, but aren't interested in doing so through conventional orthodontic treatment? Dr. Ehrmantrout and our staff would like to recommend Invisalign!

Invisalign aligners are customized, clear aligners used to straighten teeth quicker and with fewer office visits than traditional braces.

Here are a couple of questions you may have:

Why would I want Invisalign?

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does it work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 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.

Call us to schedule your free initial consultation and find out if Invisalign is right for you!
Lacey 360-491-4884
Olympia 360-352-6376

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.

Is Invisalign® Really Customized for Each Patient? - Dr. Zach Ehrmantrout

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Ehrmantrout is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 360-491-4884.

A Patient Testimonial: Invisalign

If you have been curious about which orthodontic treatment is best for you, I highly encourage you to consult your orthodontist as well as the peanut gallery. Where can you find this peanut gallery I speak of? On YouTube of course. With the internet becoming the number one form of communication today, it's understandable that opinions on all sorts of things (even orthodontics) will be easily found. On YouTube, I as well as many other orthodontists, have worked hard to post relevant video about the different types of orthodontic treatment. Beyond this, the patients are taking things into their own hands by posting video about how their treatment is working. Here is a great patient testimonial about Invisalign that I found:

Getting Invisalign in Olympia, WA

As an orthodontist in Olympia, WA, I have many patients ask me what treatment is best for them. There are many differences between Damon Braces, traditional braces, and Invisalign (invisible braces), but the end result is always the same: a healthier, straighter smile. If you're not sure if you want Invisalign or not, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you feel that having braces might effect your overall view of yourself? How will it effect this view?
2. Do you feel that braces might be inconvenient? Does your schedule allow for you to come in once a month for tightening of your wire?
3. How do you feel about brushing around braces? Would you prefer the opportunity to take off your braces while you eat and brush?

If you answered "yes" to any of these, then Invisalign might be for you. Invisalign offers an invisible option to straighten your teeth with clear aligners that you can remove while you eat and brush. If you're interested in Invsalign in Olympia, WA, contact my office for an initial consultation.

Not smiling?

Start Smiling Today!

There are many concerns patients face when thinking about orthodontic treatments. The look of traditional braces, discomfort, marks left on teeth, length of treatment, not being able to eat their favorite foods, the cost the list goes on.

At our practice Dr. Ehrmantrout has a legacy of not only providing excellent results to meet your smiling goals, he also takes special care to make sure each step of the way your treatment is comfortable, suitable for you Hawks Prairie Ortho also provides flexible payment terms.

Whether you have a common problem like an overbite, underbite or crooked teeth, or maybe you want to work towards the beautiful smile for your wedding. As a bride or groom having a beautiful smile is essential as your dress and tux.

Why not have your beautiful smile work done in one of Washington's most beautiful areas in Olympia?

Shorter Treatment Time:

Using the newest technology and Damon system treatment, the number of office visits, level of discomfort, and overall treatment time can be reduced significantly, offering patients flexibility, convenience, and hassle-free treatment involving less pain with use of light
active forces.

Non-Extraction Philosophy:

Dr. Ehrmantrout believes in preserving the integrity of each smile through a concerted effort to retain all teeth. He has had tremendous success in producing full smiles and profiles through non-extraction.

Treatment Options:

Dr. Ehrmantrout offers Damon metal and hybrid braces, ceramic braces, gold braces, lingual braces, as well as Invisalign.

So call today 360-491-4884 or visit our website for more information about Dr. Ehrmantrout and Hawks Prairie Ortho.

Our Orthodontic Treatment Philosophy - Orthodontics and Braces in Olympia and Lacey Washington

From growing up in Olympia, Washington (WA), the orthodontic needs of the Olympia and Lacey communities are well understood. At Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on our ability to build beautiful smiles through top orthodontic treatment including traditional metal braces, Invisalign (invisible braces), Damon System Brackets, and even treatment without braces. Below, I have defined our treatment philosophy to better display how we work with you to make your orthodontic treatment in Olympia and Lacey a one-of-a-kind experience worth smiling about!

Everything we do at Hawks Prairie Orthodontics centers around making both your teeth and face look better because of our treatment. Traditional orthodontics often requires the removal of up to eight teeth to allow for the necessary space to remedy a crowded mouth. Using the newest technologies, the extraction of teeth occurs far less than it used to. As a result our patients enjoy a beautiful final result along with the facial support that comes with maintaining all of your teeth for your lifetime. We do still extract teeth when it is apparent that either the face of the patient, or their overall dental condition, will benefit from such care. However, this decision is made only after exhaustively reviewing the patient diagnostic records as well as all non-extraction treatment choices. We want our patients to be happy with their final result now, as well as for the rest of their lives.

We are also committed to providing the care to our patients in as efficient and convenient a manner as possible. This means that we try to do as much work as we comfortably can at each visit as well as scheduling as much time as is practical between visits. Furthermore, since our office is open during evening and weekend hours, we make every attempt possible to minimize time away from school and work during the course of treatment. Our goal is to finish your care as well as possible with as little disruption of your daily life style as possible. The incorporation of the new wire and bracket technology we utilize assists us in achieving this goal.

Learn About Damon System Braces in Olympia, Washington

As an orthodontist in Olympia and Lacey Washington, I feel that it's necessary to use only the best and most advanced orthodontic technology available. As such, I am highly experienced and skilled at providing Invisalign and Damon System braces. Through the Damon System, you can straighten your teeth in a way that is faster and much more comfortable than traditional metal braces. The Damon System requires fewer office visits as well, so that you can continue to fill your schedule with fun and enjoyable activities without having to worry about your next orthodontic appointment. View my Damon video to learn more:

A Little History About Myself and My Practice

I grew up in Olympia, WA, graduating from Capital High School in 1996. I went on to attend the University of Washington, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business in 2000. At the University of Washington I was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Societies. Following my undergraduate training, I was accepted into the University of Washington School of Dentistry, one of the premier dental schools in the United States.

After graduating, I received my Orthodontic training at the University of Colorado Health Science Center. Here, I trained under many well known leaders of the Orthodontic profession, and became exceptionally proficient with the latest technological advances in Orthodontics and Dentistry.

I am Board Certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, an honor enjoyed by less than one quarter of all orthodontists in the United States. I am also a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, the Washington State Society of Orthodontists, the World Federation of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Washington State Dental Association, and the Thurston-Mason County Dental Society.

My Orthodontic Practice, Hawks Prairie Orthodontics, Serves Central and Western Washington in Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, Shelton, Centralia, Yelm, Dupont, Lakewood, University Place, Fort Lewis, Tacoma, and All Surrounding WA communities. To Learn more about Invisalign, Damon System Braces, and Your Orthodontic Treatment Options Simply Contact Me