INVISALIGN

Invisalign is the newest technology in orthodontics. The clear "aligners" allow a person to be active in orthodontic treatment without being obvious. It is a wonderful option for people who do not like the look of traditional braces or who have high profile careers.

Not every patient is a candidate for Invisalign so call us today to schedule a complimentary consultation to determine if Invisalign is the right orthodontic treatment for you.

STANDARD VS. CERAMIC OR GOLD BRACKETS
Most everyone is familiar with standard (silver) braces - and this is the most typical form of orthodontics. They are dependable and are best for making "faster" progress in treatment. However, there are other choices for patients to choose between

Ceramic brackets are generally placed on the upper front six teeth and usually worn for their cosmetic appearance for adults who desire less attention to their treatment. This type of bracket is not recommended for children as the tendency for breakage is higher

Gold brackets are another option for those wanting to have their braces worn as jewelry as well as for their orthodontic treatment. Likewise, there is additional cost.

APPLIANCES
There are many appliances that can be a part of your orthodontic treatment, they include: apce maintainers, palatal expanders, head gear and elastics. And once treatment is completed retainers are CRITICAL and used for an extended time to avoid reverse movement. Below are some of the appliances and details of what they do

• SPACE Maintainer - just like the name, these maintain space for erupting adult teeth prior to or in place of orthodontic treatment.
• PALATAL EXPANDER - widens the upper jaw and corrects cross bites by moving the bones apart in the roof of the mouth.
• HEAD GEAR - an appliance used to put pressure on the upper jaw and teeth, which holds them so they can align with your lower jaw and teeth.
• TWIN BLOCK - a two-piece appliance that pushes in opposite directions. The top piece pushes the upper jaw and the bottom piece pushes the lower jaw. A twin block can also widen jaws
• ELASTICS - rubber bands that hook braces to better align the jaws and teeth
• Thumb Sucking Device or Tongue Thrust - are special appliances to assist in stopping thumb sucking and/or tongue thrusting
• Retainers -like a space maintainer, they are used to maintain the space and position of teeth after orthodontic treatment. RETAINERS are the appliance that best maintains the orthodontic treatment just completed! They help stabilize the teeth and are required for patients to wear 24-hours, 7-days a week (with eating and brushing teeth the only exceptions). Avoid brushing the retainer with toothpaste, but instead gently brush with water and put back in your mouth. After teeth have stabilized, you may be directed that night time wear is acceptable and eventually you may only wear the retainer a couple of times a week. Each patient is different and the tendency for teeth to move out of place always exists... if you notice any shifting, go back to full time wear
• DO NOT place retainers in a napkin while eating (they will almost always be thrown away).
• DO NOT leave outside in the car, in the cold or heat as the retainers will crack, warp and get out of shape
• DO think of your retainers as an insurance policy - the more you wear the retainer the more it will protect your teeth and ultimately your smile!
• IF you lose or break your retainer, there is a replacement fee. We will need to schedule you an appointment to take a new impression and your retainer will then be ready in about 3 weeks. Be sure to call us as soon as you know you need a replacement, as waiting until your teeth begin to shift can cause a relapse

ARE YOU EVER TOO OLD OR TOO YOUNG FOR BRACES?
There is no set age limit to when orthodontic treatment should begin. Children as young as 5 can wear appliances to stop thumb sucking. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children age 7 be evaluate by an orthodontist. Teenagers or children who have developed all their permanent teeth are typical candidates for orthodontic treatment. However, a younger child or child who still has some of their baby teeth may benefit from an early Phase of treatment - which may even reduce their need for surgical corrections later in life! Adults 20-70 years go through orthodontic treatment for cosmetic enhancement as well as for relief from jaw pain.

WHAT DOES ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT COST?
Prices vary depending on each patient and what type of treatment is recommended for them. Some patients may only want or need a single upper or lower arch corrected - in which case their treatment would be far less than someone who needed full treatment.

FOODS TO AVOID
As a rule, anything STICKY, CHEWY, HARD or UNCUT should be avoided. Specifically no chewing gum is allowed (and yes, our assistants can tell when patients have chewed gum). Do not chew ice while in treatment and in general ice chewing is harmful to the integrity of your teeth and their surfaces. All fruits, vegatables, pizza and sandwiches should be cut into small pieces and chewed carefully/

WHAT TO DO AFTER ORTHODONTICS
The obvious answer is to "wear your retainers". Aside from that many patients want to SMILE and show off their beautiful teeth. Whiting is a wonderful way to really set off your beautiful new smile! We offer in office treatments such as Zoom! one-hour whitening and bleaching trays that allow you to whiten at home. Call today to find out more and schedule an appointment.

UNDERSTANDING ORTHODONTIC APPOINTMENTS
While we make every effort to accomodate patients in school or who work, there are times when we will be limited to the appointment times we can schedule. The initial appointments are critical for parents to be with their children. Once patients are in active treatment, the parent may not be required to attend the appointment wih the patient.