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It's the big day and your braces are finally coming off! Does that mean you are completely done? Not so fast! After you complete your treatment here at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics, Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team will recommend you wear a retainer, which must be worn routinely after treatment in order to hold your teeth in their proper, new position while your gums, ligaments and bones adapt. Most patients are required to wear their retainer every night at first, with many also being directed to wear them during the day. It's important to know there are different kinds of retainers, and today we thought we would explain the differences between them.

Hawley Retainers

The Hawley retainer is one of the most common types of retainers. It is a removable retainer made of a combination of a metal wire that typically surrounds the six anterior teeth and is designed to keep your teeth in place. This retainer is made from impressions of your teeth so that it fits snugly and comfortably in the roof of your mouth, while the wire and acrylic framing keeps your teeth in an ideal position. The acrylic can also be personalized with a large number of colors or patterns.

Essix (Clear) Retainers

The Essix retainer is a transparent removable retainer that fits over the entire arch of your teeth. This clear or transparent retainer fits over the entire arch of teeth and is produced from a mold. Similar to Invisalign’s clear aligner trays, Essix retainers have no metal or wires. They can also be used to produce minor tooth movements and can be helpful in prevention of tooth wear due to tooth grinding at night.

Bonded Retainers

Bonded lingual retainers are cemented directly to the inside surface of your lower canines. Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics encourage our patients with bonded lingual retainers to be careful with their bite as the bonding material may break due to incorrect biting and cause your teeth to shift. As with removable retainers, it is important to keep your bonded retainers clean. When brushing, make sure to carefully clean the inside of your lower teeth, as well as the wire itself.

The retention phase of treatment begins when the patient’s braces are removed. Retainers are worn full time, typically for the first nine months, except while eating. Retainers should also be removed before brushing your teeth.

If you have any questions about the retainers we offer or to learn more about post-orthodontic treatment, please feel free to contact us at our convenient Pittsburg, KS office and we will be happy to answer any of your questions!

September 2017 Employee Spotlight - Sandee Reeves-Bennington

Last month, we spotlighted Nancy Bishop who has been with Dr. Gina at Pinamonti Orthodontics from the beginning 17 years ago. This month, we are spotlighting a second employee who has been with Dr. Gina since the beginning - Sandee Reeves-Bennington.

Sandee began working at Pinamonti Orthodontics in 2001. Sandee’s role is the treatment coordinator which means she assists Dr. Gina with the new patient exams and answers any questions that patients and parents have about treatment.

Her favorite part of working at Pinamonti Orthodontics is building relationships with the patients and parents that come into the office. She also loves watching patient's blossom with confidence when their treatment is complete. Sandee also noted that it’s enjoyable to watch the excitement of just how much a patient’s smile changes from the beginning to the end.

Outside of the office, Sandee has many hobbies that she enjoys. She likes taking motorcycle trips with her husband, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends, and playing with her dogs. She has two Australian Shepherds named Molly and Murphy and a new puppy named Chester who is a long haired Dachshund. A fun fact about Sandee is that she loves to bake sweet treats for her friends, family, and the office.

When asked what her favorite memory while working at Pinamonti Orthodontics, Sandee had quite a few. She narrowed it down to her top four. Those included going on a cruise with the office, the annual tradition of dressing up for Halloween, the annual tradition of wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, and constantly working with a great staff.

It's the end of summer, and fall is just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and Dr. Gina Pinamonti and our team at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics are sure that you’ll soon be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans in no time. But wait! First, we want to know about your favorite parts of the summer! Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday each September here in the United States, is a holiday devoted to the American working community. The purpose of the holiday is honoring the country's workers and their contributions to the strength of our country as a whole.

How Labor Day Started

There is actually some debate as to the origins of Labor Day. It is uncertain whether Peter McGuire, a cofounder for the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire, who was the secretary of Central Labor Union of New York, had the great idea. However, the Central Labor Union's plans were what launched the first Labor Day in America.

The First Labor Day

The very first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5th, 1882. The Central Labor Union then held annual celebrations on September 5th for what they called a working man's holiday. By the year 1885, the Labor Day celebration had spread to many different industrial areas, and after that it began spreading to all industries in the United States.

Labor Day Today

Labor Day today is a huge United States holiday during which we honor the country's workers with a day of rest and relaxation or a day of picnics and parades. This holiday is truly one to honor the many people who work hard to contribute to the economic well-being of our great country!

Our team at Gina B. Pinamonti, DDS Orthodontics hopes all of our patients celebrate Labor Day, and every holiday, safely and happily. Whether you stay in the Pittsburg, KS area, or travel out of town, have fun, and don't forget to brush!