Drs. Erickson and Aamodt and our team understand not everyone is always thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But at Erickson – Aamodt Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our White Bear Lake, Eagan, or Pine City, MN office that makes you comfortable or puts you or your child at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our courteous staff? Is it something about Drs. Erickson and Aamodt?

Let us know by posting below or on our Facebook page! Or tell us at your next adjustment appointment!

Summer is so close we can almost taste the ice cream sandwiches! To celebrate, we’re giving all of our patients the opportunity to win a special prize from our office! Stop in from now through June stop by the office, drop off your name, and you’re entered in the contest!

You’re probably wondering what you’re entered to win? Well, what is the best thing to do in the summer? Visit the amusement park!! If you’re selected as the winner, you’ll win 4 passes to ValleyFair!

Excited? Yeah, we are too! So stop by between now and June and enter to win! And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office!

When the time comes for Drs. Erickson and Aamodt to remove your braces, it is very exciting. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat confusing, too, because you are faced with choosing between two kinds of retainers. Should you go with permanent, removable, or a combination of the two? It is always wise to follow Erickson – Aamodt Orthodontics recommendations, but knowing more about the two types of retainer beforehand can be helpful.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers offer the advantage of easy use: you will generally put a removable retainer in at night and take it out in the morning. Regardless of your retainer schedule, you’ll be able to enjoy some time with no retainer. However, a removable retainer can easily be forgotten at times, and this means you won’t be taking full advantage of teeth retention.

Another potential advantage of a removable retainer is that you can take it out and brush and floss your teeth with ease, which is more of a challenge with a permanent retainer. Although removable retainers can be very effective, they don’t tend to be as effective as permanent retainers, especially if they are not used as directed.

Permanent Retainers

Permanent retainers are the clear choice for patients who want to “get it and forget it.” Once your permanent retainer is placed in your mouth, you won’t need to worry about daily retainer schedules, since it is permanently affixed to your teeth.

Because teeth begin to shift naturally as we age, a permanent retainer typically offers better long-term results for teeth straightening than a removable one. You can’t forget to put it in — it’s already there! Temporary retainers get lost or are forgotten on trips, and often fail to get used as often as they should be.

One drawback to permanent retainers is flossing. Some patients find it more difficult to floss with a permanent retainer, but we can show you effective ways to floss fairly quickly with your permanent retainer.

Some orthodontists may recommend a combination of the two; for example, a removable retainer for the top teeth and a permanent one for the lower ones because the lower teeth are smaller and tend to shift more.

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that wearing your retainer as directed is extremely important. As long as you follow our orthodontist’s advice, you will get the best results from your retainer, regardless of its type. If you’re still not sure whether the choice you’ve made is truly right for you, get in touch with us at our White Bear Lake, Eagan, or Pine City, MN location right away!

At Erickson – Aamodt 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.

Drs. Erickson and Aamodt 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 Erickson – Aamodt Orthodontics. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation with Drs. Erickson and Aamodt?

We are happy to treat today’s image-conscious teens, and invite you to give us a call to schedule an initial consultation at our convenient White Bear Lake, Eagan, or Pine City, MN office!