Friday, August 21, 2020

Whitening Toothpaste: The Nightly Trick to Whiter Teeth

Everyone wants a whiter smile. Most of us are familiar with whitening toothpaste and bleach strips, but what if you’re looking for an all-natural whitening treatment? Of course, brushing and flossing twice a day with your favorite toothpaste (or baking soda!) will help remove stains, but if you’re looking for an easy solution, whitening toothpaste may be the easiest option!

Everyone should brush their teeth twice a day, but especially folks with traditional braces who might be at risk of staining their teeth if brushing habits are lackadaisical. Any toothpaste can help whiten your smile, insofar as they all prevent stains from forming on your enamel. However, whitening toothpastes penetrate even deeper than traditional toothpaste to achieve a stronger whitening effect.

Learn more about teeth whitening on our website!

At Stieper and Brust Orthodontics, our treatment team is proud to offer exceptional orthodontics in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Saline, Taylor, and Dexter. We have transformed smiles across these communities and continue to provide great orthodontic options to children and adults in need of braces, Invisalign or other orthodontia. 


Monday, August 3, 2020

Whitening Your Teeth with Braces: Can it be Done?

If you’ve made the decision to get braces, you care about your smile. With the knowledge you’re doing all you can to make your teeth straight and even, you might be wondering how you can make your smile brighter at the same time. 

Is it safe to whiten your teeth with braces? 

What are the best techniques to keep your teeth white while your braces are on? 

Will braces stain your teeth? 

Most people who wear braces also want to make sure they’re doing everything possible to keep their teeth white without risking any damage to their braces. 

Many folks are able to achieve a whiter smile while wearing braces. The best approach depends on what type of braces you have. If you wear traditional metal or ceramic braces your options for whitening are fewer than if you wear Invisalign. Nonetheless, there are great options out there to help whiten every smile.

Visit our website to learn more!


Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Invisalign vs. Mail-Order Aligners

A great smile can give you confidence, make you seem more approachable, and looks healthy. That’s why so many people go to great lengths to improve their smile.

A new trend that promises to give people the smile of their dreams might be easier, but might not be the best choice for everyone!

Mail-order aligners promise clear aligners at a discount, without the time commitment or cost of orthodontist appointments. They are marketed as a more convenient, lower cost, and discrete option for teeth straightening.

In reality, mail-order aligners are a risky choice. If you’re thinking about using them because you’re worried about the cost of Invisalign in the Ann Arbor area, read on for more information about what mail-order aligners could actually cost you.


It may be tempting to save time and money by purchasing a mail-order aligner system, but the cost may be higher than you think. Orthodontia is considered a medical treatment, with good reason. There is much more to your teeth than what you see on the surface. For your safety and for your beautiful smile, straightening them should be supervised by a licensed medical professional. 

Monday, June 15, 2020

How's Your Flossing and Brushing Routine?

According to the American Academy of Orthodontics, “a simple two-step routine can not only effectively remove dental plaque and strengthen your teeth but can also help to minimize your time in orthodontic treatment.” 

Remember: your oral health care doesn’t end after you leave your dentist or orthodontist office! You’re a big partner in the process to getting straight teeth and a beautiful smile.

You can play your role in the orthodontic process by:

  1. Brushing for two minutes after every meal or snack or rinsing your mouth with water if you can’t brush. 
  2. Flossing at least once a day, ideally before you brush.
  3. Seeing your general dentist every 6 months for check-ups.
  4. Avoiding sugary foods and drinks that can contribute to tooth decay.

Trust Stieper & Brust Orthodontics to Take Care of Your Teeth!


We have 5 offices for you to choose from to fit your schedule and routine. Call us today to schedule an appointment! Please visit our website to learn about our updated policies and procedures as we navigate the way forward with COVID-19.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

We Look Forward to Seeing You on June 1st!


Dear patients,

As of Monday, June 1st, we will be making appointments in our offices again! We are very excited to see everyone! Our daily schedule will have to contain fewer patients to adhere to safety rules and distancing. Please wait for us to call you to schedule an appointment. We will be working diligently to see everyone as soon as possible. As always, if you have concerns or an orthodontic emergency, please contact us.

Our number one priority has and will always be the safety of our patients and families, our staff, and our community. The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated a number of changes to our office protocols. We are reviewing on a regular basis, with multiple resource centers (CDC, ADA, AAO, MDA, Department of Public Health), the most up to date guidelines and implementing them into our practice to ensure everyone’s safety.

To that end, we want to share with you some of the changes we will be introducing:

  1. Prior to the visit AND the night before, please have the patient brush their teeth at home, as our hygiene area will be temporarily closed. 
  2. Call or text us upon your arrival in the parking lot. 
  3. Please wait in your car and we will notify you when we are ready for your visit. 
  4. Please escort the patient to the entrance of our office. At that point an office “screener” will greet you and review a short questionnaire. Current guidelines advise limiting the number of people in our office facility. We ask that the patient come in by themselves. If this is not possible, one adult ONLY may escort them (sorry, no siblings may accompany them at this time) 
  5. Have the patient wear their face mask from home when they come into the office. 
  6. A team member will take a temperature prior to entering the office. Anything above 100.4 will require rescheduling. 
  7. Following the patient’s appointment, the patient will replace their face mask and return to the car. We will then call you with a treatment update and to schedule the next appointment. 

We apologize in advance for the fact that we may have to change your appointment date and time, due to the changes required by the current situation.

For the near future, our reception area will be converted to a pre-treatment screening area. All refreshments, magazines, toys and other such items will be removed. You may want to bring an extra layer of clothing as the office will likely be cooler.

Our team members will be wearing additional PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as advised by the American Dental Association and other organizations.

 In light of our desire to avoid the creation of aerosols, some procedures will be postponed for the time being. When it is deemed appropriate to resume said procedures, we will make that known, and can schedule an appointment for you.

We appreciate your assistance and understanding in helping us implement these new measures. As stated in the opening of this communication, SAFETY is our number one priority.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office and one of the doctors will gladly speak with you.

Friday, May 15, 2020

How Can You Improve Your Oral Health?

You know how important it is to see your dentist and orthodontist regularly. Oral hygiene can lead to improvements in other areas of your overall health, so it's important to keep up with your routine at home, not just when you're in the doctor's office!

You can play your role in the orthodontic process by:


  1. Brushing for two minutes after every meal or snack or rinsing your mouth with water if you can’t brush.
  2. Flossing at least once a day, ideally before you brush.
  3. Seeing your general dentist every 6 months for check-ups.
  4. Avoiding sugary foods and drinks that can contribute to tooth decay.
If you want to know if you're doing everything you can to protect your teeth, ask your orthodontist!

Monday, May 4, 2020

Should You Brush or Floss First?

Trying to perfect the perfect oral hygiene routine?

According to the American Academy of Orthodontics, “a simple two-step routine can not only effectively remove dental plaque and strengthen your teeth but can also help to minimize your time in orthodontic treatment.”

Remember: your oral health care doesn’t end after you leave your dentist or orthodontist office! You’re a big partner in the process to getting straight teeth and a beautiful smile.

Read more about how to be a partner in your oral health, here.


Continue to Improve Your Health During the COVID-19 Era


 We are working hard at keeping our patients informed about their treatment and on track. We are now utilizing Virtual Care Consultations for existing & new patients. Please let us know if you would like to utilize this technology by clicking here!

Family Fun in the Community!

We believe community is everything, and we’re so excited to take part in these great events in addition to our work with area schools this s...