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

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!!

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.

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.

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: