Doctor Spotlight: Emilie Del Mastro

Q: Dr. Del, let’s start at the beginning! What made you want to become an orthodontist?

A: I’ve always had an odd obsession with teeth. I knew I wanted to do something in the health care field, but I wanted a balance of science and cosmetics. The orthodontic field is the perfect balance.

Q: Next, please give us a brief history of your professional career. Where your journey began and how you ended up at Minnesota Orthodontics.

A: I attended dental school and completed my orthodontic residency at Tufts University in Boston. I practiced in the Boston suburbs as an associate for 2 years and then moved home to the Twin Cities. I practiced as an associate in Minneapolis for approximately 6 years and then joined Minnesota Orthodontics as a partner in 2017.

Q: What would you say makes your treatment approach unique? How has your treatment approach changed during this past year of COVID-19?

A: We have always had a high volume of patients in clear aligner therapy at our office – we are unique in that we treat almost any case with clear aligners and are able to achieve beautiful outcomes. Our high volume of clear aligner cases was beneficial during COVID-19, as we were able to complete visits virtually and patients did not have lapses in treatment. In essence, our treatment approach stayed very much the same. We tend to have longer appointment intervals with our clear aligner patients, these patients tend to do extremely well and do not want to be in the office for frequent appointments with their busy schedules.

Q: Do you find that VPro has helped you achieve more predictable outcomes during social distancing and limited visits to the office?

A: Absolutely. We definitely observe better aligner seating with our VPro patients, helping us achieve the more difficult movements with greater efficiency.

Q: Focusing on Propel, is there a moment, or even a specific case, that made you a Propel believer?

A: I cannot say there is a specific moment or case. I tend to like to stay on the forefront of new technology, but I also tend to be critical of new products and want to see great, predictable results before promoting them. Our practice committed to utilizing the VPro and seeing the cases through after learning about the technology and science behind the product. What made me a believer were all of the patients coming back with excellent aligner seating, beautiful tracking and reports of little to no discomfort with movements. Also, the fact that the VPro only takes 5 minutes a day was a huge plus for our busy patients – they loved it and we always hear from patients how happy they are that they chose it as part of their treatment plan… I ended up using VPro for my own Invisalign treatment and observed the same benefits of predictable tooth movement and lack of discomfort. I’m a believer!

Q: What percentage of your patients receive VPro?

A: Approximately 90% of our Invisalign patients.

Q: How do you explain the VPro and vibration technology to patients?

A: We discuss that the vibration therapy helps ease the movement of the teeth through the bone by altering bone metabolism; this reduces stress on teeth (improving patient comfort during treatment) and assists in accelerating tooth movement.

Q: Do you prescribe VPro to braces patients? If so, what has the outcome been?

Yes, we do recommend VPro to braces patients that express concern over anticipated sensitivity or discomfort. The patients that have chosen to move forward with the VPro and fixed braces have been very satisfied and report that it helps them reduce their discomfort.

Q: Do you prescribe VPro for retention? If so, what has the outcome been?

A: We have used VPro in patients that have had minor relapse where the retainers can still seat, although not all the way and where seating causes excessive discomfort. We have the patient use the VPro for 4 weeks with the retainers (retainer wear full time). Patients have returned with significantly better retainer seating and improved tooth positions. The patients have been grateful to not have to go through a full orthodontic retreat.

Q: What benefits do you see in your practice as a result of using VPro?

A: Happier patients! Patients want their treatment done yesterday. Happier patients equals happier staff and doctor.

Q: What would you say to a colleague who is not sold on vibration technology?

A: Try it. Try it yourself or on a family member. Once you commit to it and begin seeing the results, you will be so happy that you did.

Q: Has Propel enhanced your practice profitability? In what ways?

A: Happier patients tend to refer their friends and family and that has helped immensely. Our VPro patients have shorter treatment times, the difficult movements are done more efficiently (less series of aligners/rescans) and we have longer appointment intervals.