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Hey ZFO fans : )

Given the circumstances of our temporary office closure, I wanted to give some information that you may find helpful.

I understand the need for guidance with your orthodontic treatment, so we have made created another way to stay in touch with you. We are now available to do virtual visits by appointment. Here is what you need to know should you be interested:

1) If you have an appointment that has already been postponed or rescheduled, you will get an additional email with links to video instructions. Please watch the videos : )
2) If your appointment is in the month of April, your additional email will come the week you were due to see us.
3) After watching the videos, if you wish to have a visit with me, please send an email request. We can meet via phone or video conference, or we can simply continue to communicate via email.
4) Note: our email and video conferencing application (Doxy.me) are HIPAA compliant and secure.

Q: What are you looking for in the photos we send?
A: I can assess brushing, rubber band wear, and some general progress.

Q: Can the virtual appointment replace my in-office visit?
A: No, we will still need to see you in person once we are open.

Q: Is the virtual appoinment required or can i just wait for an in-office visit?
A: No, the virtual appointment is optional.

Q: I had a consultation scheduled - can I still reach out to meet virtually?
A: Yes, we would love to meet you and start the conversation regarding your needs! Our in-office visit is still required once we are open.

Q: I have an urgent need and/or pain from my orthodontic appliances - can I be seen?
A: Yes, we are able to see you in our office for emergencies and urgent needs. Please call us.

While we are disappointed that we are closed, we understand that it is the responsible thing to do given the current situation. Please keep up to date with the CDC and please stay at home to follow the social distancing guidelines. We are all in this together. Stay healthy and please reach out with any questions - I am still here for you guys! I look forward to speaking with some of you soon : )

Take care,
Dr. Zach

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), dental and orthodontic offices around the nation are closing due to recommendations by the American Dental Association. While offices remain open for emergency care, many people have questions about how to manage their ongoing orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign. Here are a few guidelines to help you out : )

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

• Wash your hands very often!
  • Orthodontic treatment involves putting your hands in your mouth. Whether you are placing rubber bands, wax, retainers, or an Invisalign clear aligner, you need to put your hands in your mouth. You should be washing your hands for at least 20 seconds BEFORE AND AFTER putting your hands in your mouth. Additionally, you should be washing your hands, in general, more often.
• If you can't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer
  • If soap and water are not available, be sure you use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. Rub all surfaces of your hands well.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay at home and follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing
  • The illness is spread by close contact with other people or via droplets in the air. Please do not use this time away from work or school to spend time with friends and family. Many people who have the virus do not know it!
• If you are getting sick, contact your medical health care provider for help.
  • If you are sick, first and foremost, stay away from others so you do not spread the illness to them. Contact your medical professional for advice on what to do next. They are your best resource of information on where to go to get help.

For any significant pain or concern, please call or email Dr. Zach as we are still available to help you out. Here are some common questions we are getting about braces, Invisalign, and retainers:

BRACES - COMMON QUESTIONS

• Should I wear my rubber bands?
  • Yes! For now continue to wear rubber bands as instructed to continue your progress.
• What if I run out of rubber bands?
  • Call or email our office - we can arrange a pick up!
• What should I do if I have a broken brace?
  • If you are not in pain, you can attempt to remove the brace or place wax on it to stabilize the brace. If it is causing a significant discomfort that makes it difficult to eat or sleep, please call us and we can arrange an emergency visit to get you comfortable. Unfortunately at this time, we cannot fix broken braces but we can get you comfortable again.
• What should I do if I am in pain?
  • Call or email our office - we will set up an emergency appointment to adjust the braces to get you comfortable again.
• Will the COVID-19 shut down delay my treatment?
  • It depends on how long we are closed, but in the meantime, make sure you do the following:
    • Continue to brush your teeth 3 times per day
    • Avoid hard and sticky foods to ensure nothing is broken
    • Wear your rubber bands as instructed
• What if I have a question or something does not seem right?
  • Call or email us - Dr. Zach is available for questions : )
• Other tips:
  • Dispose of your used rubber bands and wax properly - do not put them on counters or clean surfaces
  • Since you are home, brush your teeth and floss them more often. Be sure to wash your hands before and after
  • Avoid sugary drinks to protect your teeth from white spots

INVISALIGN - COMMON QUESTIONS

• Should I continue to wear my aligners?
  • Yes! For now, continue to wear aligners as instructed to continue your progress.
• If I have rubber bands, should I wear those too?
  • Yes! For now continue to wear rubber bands as instructed to continue your progress.
• What if I run out of aligners?
  • Please give us a call and we can arrange a pick up if we have more in the office. In the event it was the last of the box, we will have to wait for another 3D scan to order more. If you are on your last aligner for awhile, please be sure to clean it more often.
• Can I clean them with soap and water?
  • Yes! You can use hand soap to clean your aligners with cold water.
• What if something does not seem right?
  • Give us a call or send an email - Dr. Zach is available for questions : )
• Other tips:
  • Clean and brush your aligners more often during this time
  • Clean your Invisalign retainer case often
  • Be sure to carry your hand sanitizer with you
  • Do not set your Invisalign down on any unclean surfaces

PALATAL EXPANDERS

• Should I keep turning the expander?
  • No, at this time, if you have not been instructed to continue your turns, you should stop and wait until your next appointment with Dr. Zach.
• Is it OK to leave it in place?
  • Yes. The expander is usually in for 9-10 months.
• What if my child was due to have it removed during the closure?
  • Please be patient and sit tight. A few extra weeks will not cause any harm.
• What if it is causing pain or discomfort?
  • Please call our office and we will be happy to help you out : )

RETAINERS - COMMON QUESTIONS

• Should I continue to wear my retainer?
  • Yes! Please continue as instructed by Dr. Zach
• Can I clean my retainer with soap and water?
  • Yes! You can use hand soap and cold water to clean your retainer. It is a good idea at this time to keep it as clean as possible. You should clean both before and after using it.
• What if I lost my retainer?
  • If you lost your retainer and you have your 3D printed model of your teeth, please give us a call and we may be able to make you a new one. We would have to arrange a drop-off/pick-up.
• Other tips:
  • Clean and brush your retainers more often during this time
  • Clean your retainer case often
  • Do not set your retainers down on any unclean surfaces

If there is any other question you have, let us know! We are here to help you and we can't wait to see your smile again : ) 

Winter brings lots of fun for the community with many fundraisers and galas!  Here is a few events we have supported in Winter 2019-2020 : )

Downers Grove District 99 Pizza Wars: We were proud to sponsor this amazing event again held at Downers Grove South High School. The pizza is amazing so if you missed it this year, be sure to check it out next year! Dr. Zach is proud alum of District 99 : )

Downers Grove Icefest: For the past 5 years, we have sponsored an ice sculpture at this event. The weather was perfect this year and we had a great time checking out all the local businesses and their sculptures.

Whittier PTA Spring Fundraiser: Whittier held its annual spring fundraiser at Neat Kitchen and Bar in Westmont this year with the them "Get Out of the Cold." It was a big success!

St. Mary of Gostyn Blue and Gold Gala: SMG celebrated thier 25th annual gala to raise funds for the school at Esplanade Lakes Ballroom in Downers Grove. We were very happy to send our support!

Pierce Downer Trivia Night: In February, Pierce Downer held a Trivia Night Fundraiser at the Moose Lodge in Downers Grove. We are happy to support all of our District 58 schools!

St. Joseph Green and White Gala: St. Joseph school held its annual gala again this year and we were happy to send out support once again!

Downers Grove Christian School Gala: DGCS held its annual gala at the end of February at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. A successful silent auction helped raise funds for the school!

We look forward to the spring as we are going to be sponsoring many more events in the community. We hope to see you out there!

Ah, sparkling water - so refreshing with its effervescence! With the popularity of sparkling drinks, I often get the question:

Will sparkling water harm my teeth?

The truth is, any drink with carbonation is going to have a higher acid level. Higher acid levels are not good for your teeth as they can wear away the enamel over time. Acid causes tooth erosion and decay. However, researchers have been looking into this to see if the acid content is enough to weaken your teeth.

The short answer is - no, drinking sparkling water will not harm your teeth.

According to the latest studies, they find that in general, drinking plain, sparkling water will not have a significant effect on the enamel of your teeth. Compared to regular tap water, it essentially has the same long term effect.

Here's the catch and what you need to know for your teeth and orthodontic treatment...

• Everything should be enjoyed in moderation. While sparkling water is fine, regular water is still your best bet as it is great for your overall health and contains fluoride which will help fight against tooth decay.
• Sparkling water is not all the same - some companies add sugar and citrus flavors. The sugars and citrus flavors do make the drink more acidic, and therefore may put the teeth more at risk if they are sipped throughout the day. The more exposure your teeth have to acidic, sugary, carbonated drinks, the greater the risk for enamel wear.
• With the growing popularity of Invisalign treatment, many adults want to know if they have to remove their clear aligners to have a sparkling water drink. Basically, if the sparkling water is plain, it should have a significant effect on the teeth (once again, practice moderation). However, be aware that citrus-flavored or added sugar can sit under the Invisalign aligner which can lead to issues with the enamel.

Questions or interested to learn more about diet recommendations with orthodontic treatment? Let us know - we are here to help : )