Braces got you down?

Those of us who had braces as kids or as adults realize the benefits of improving our smiles and achieving a health bite by having orthodontic treatment.

...But how about those of us who have not had braces yet.........?

What's the hold-up?

Of course there are financial concerns, but often its the time commitment required and the hassle of wearing braces. I realize this and have dedicated hours and hours to devising treatments that are tailored to your needs.

Invisalign provides a clear choice for an alternative to wearing braces, here is the problem... Invisalign has its limitations which are well documented in the literature and my clinical experience. A recent study in the American Journal of Orthodontics found that Invisalign only achieves its predicted goals 40% of the time. So why would anyone choose such a treatment? For some, Invisalign is a perfect alternative to braces, but for others, Invisalign simply will not get the job done.

Why...?

The reason that most Invisalign cases yield less than optimal results are that certain tooth movements cannot be accomplished with Invisalign Aligners.

How do we give you exactly what you want?

In some instances, we are moving the teeth that invisalign has difficultly moving by using conventional braces, usually on the back teeth. In other instances Invisalign can begin right away moving your teeth into alignment leaving only a short period of time wearing braces. Invisalign can deliver a great result all the time with the help of selective use of braces.

My Team and I are always thinking of ways to make your orthodontic journey as comfortable as possible. Follow us on Twitter, Blogger and Facebook to stay connected with all the newly emerging technologies available to you.

Give us a call for your complimentary visit to see how we can perfect your smile.....

~Dr. Tim Scanlan

Invisalign Tips

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invialign aligners, ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.

--Dr. Scanlan