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BRACES
Invisalign
is Here!
Braces can help you achieve an
attractive smile.
Invisalign
Braces for adults and
teens
According to Invisalign
2000 survey 74 % of American women and men believe that an
attractive smile is important for getting their dream job,
while 84 % fell it is critical for their love lives.
Invisalign® can give you the
beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. It works
through a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable
aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. You can smile
during treatment as well as after.
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New
Invisalign Express!
What is
Invisalign®?
Invisalign®
can
help
you
get
the
great
smile
you've
always
wanted
because
it's...
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Invisible, so no one can tell you're straightening your teeth. So now you can smile more
during treatment as well as after.
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Removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem.
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Comfortable, because it has no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no
metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting
adjustments.
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Invisalign®
also
allows
you
to
view
your
own
virtual
treatment
plan
when
you
start,
so
you
can
see
how
your
straight
teeth
will
look
when
your
treatment
is
complete. |
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| Invisalign® is the invisible
way to straighten your teeth without braces.
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| Invisalign® aided by computer
imagery uses a series of clear removable aligners
to straighten your teeth without metal wires or
brackets. |
| Invisalign® has been proven
effective in clinical research. |
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How Does
Invisalign® Work?
| You wear each set of aligners
for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat,
drink, brush, and floss. Each set of aligners, move
the teeth about 0.25 millimeters per aligner |
| As you replace each aligner with
the next in the series, your teeth will move -
little by little, week by week - until they have
straightened to the final position. |
| You'll visit your dentist about
once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is
progressing as planned. |
| Total treatment time averages
9-15 months and the average number of aligners
worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both
will vary from case to case. |
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Click here
to download our informational video to learn more
about Invisalign and hear from actual patients.
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How Are
Aligners Made? You'd Be Amazed...
| The aligners are made through a
combination of your orthodontist's or dentist's
expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology. (click
here to learn more about how technology plays a
vital role in the Invisalign® process)
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Click here
to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign®.
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Click here
to find out how easy it is to get started.
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Click here
to view the leading edge technology utilized in
manufacturing Invisalign |
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Click here to view your case's suitability. |
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You will be
required
to have:
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full mouth vinyl polysiloxane
impression |
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completed records –
panoramic x-ray |
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intra-oral photographs |
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extra-oral photographs |
| ceph. |
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A Comparison of Traditional
Orthodontic Treatment and
The Invisalign Technique
| Factor |
Traditional Orthodontics |
Invisalign |
| Materials |
Wires and brackets |
Clear plastic trays
"aligners" |
| Type of Treatment |
Broad range of orthodontic
therapy |
Most suitable for patients
with certain orthodontic needs |
| Suitability |
Suitable for many patients |
Suited mainly for a vast
majority of adults and for adolescents who have their permanent
teeth. ***
Click here to see if your case is
suitable for Invisalign |
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Invisalign
distinct advantage to give you the great
smile you have always wanted:
| Invisible, so no
one can tell you are straightening your teeth. So now
you can smile more DURING treatment as well as after. |
|
Removable, so you can
eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus
brushing and flossing are no problem. |
|
Comfortable, because
it has no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
And no metal and wires means you spend less time in your
doctor's office getting adjustments. |
|
Oral hygiene is improved |
|
Invisalign allows you to
view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so
you can see how your straight teeth will look when you
treatment is complete. |
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May reduce the risk of
cavities and gum disease when compared to wire braces that
trap food and plaque. |
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Visit dentist only 1x every 6
weeks |
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Is usually faster than
conventional braces |
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No metal braces |
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In most
cases the aligners are doing multiple tooth movements
simultaneously. Commonly, in conventional bracketing,
some movements get ignored until another movement is
completed by the current mechanics |
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Work usually completed in 15
months conventional braces takes on the average of 2 years |
Disadvantages
of Invisalign**:
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They are
"not designed to treat patients with mixed dentition, changing a bite and/or growing palates
and therefore are not appropriate for children." |
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All restorative
work must be completed before or after the treatment. |
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Designed
to treat patients with less complex orthodontic needs.
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It is difficult to change
this system after treatment has began because this system is
so exacting. |
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The system is dependent on
the patient wearing the retainers. |
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May temporarily affect your speech. |
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They are to
be worn full time, day or night, except while eating and brushing or
flossing. |
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Teeth may
be sore with a slight ache from the pressure especially for the first few days
with each new aligner. |
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After the work is completed you
may have to wear a retainer at night. |
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Need for good patient compliance. |
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Cash
up front is needed in order to assure that you will wear the
aligners |
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Costs:
They typically cost
$3,000
to $9,000.
American Association of Orthodontists states, "It is a very good additional
tool....but there are many oral problems it can not handle and it certainly does
not replace braces." They work best if you already have
"a good bite, small rotation, small gap or a minor problem".
"They will not work with biting or crowding problems and are not meant to
be used with children".
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Dentistry has moved beyond just treating the
teeth and oral cavity. They can now give patients
beautiful faces and alleviate a multitude of medical problems.
Braces
for Adults
| Options available:
Metal braces,
made of high-grade stainless steel and attached to
the front of teeth, are the most common. Some
patients may complain about discomfort from metal
brackets rubbing against the skin. If you experience
any pain or discomfort, ask your dentist or
orthodontist for some dental wax to place over the
brackets.
Clear ceramic braces
are worn on the front of the teeth just like
traditional steel braces. Unlike metal braces, they
blend with the color of the teeth for a much less
noticeable appearance. They may look better but also
may break more easily than metal braces.
Invisible braces
are a series of clear, customized, removable
appliances called aligners. Not only are these
braces invisible, but they also are removable so
they won't trap food and plaque between your teeth
like metal braces. You'll wear each aligner for
about two weeks and only remove it for eating,
brushing and flossing. This may be an option for
individuals with mild spacing problems |
Do you want this?
Or this?
She is wearing Invisalign braces....
The latest
reports indicate that 25% of all individuals or 1 million
adults wear braces. Benefits of braces for adults:
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Reduce decay and gum
disease due to crowding |
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Relieve headaches and
earaches |
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Improve speaking, biting or
chewing problems |
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Prevent or improve TMD
troubles |
Disadvantage of braces in
adulthood is that they take longer than teenagers. The
average adult wears braces for 18months to 3 years. Braces are
custom-made appliances that use gentle pressure to straighten
teeth and bite, this process can cause discomfort. The
cost can range between $4,000-$9,000. However, Invisalign
can reduce the length of time of wearing braces to 18 months or
less and with less discomfort.
Remember that while wearing
braces keep your teeth and brackets clean to reduce the risk of
cavities. Avoid hard foods such as candy, raw
carrots, corn on the cob, pretzels, nuts, popcorn and crushed
ice because they will damage or dislodge braces. Avoid sticky
foods to decrease your risk of cavities.
| How do I adjust to
life with braces? You
probably will experience some discomfort or
difficulty speaking or eating at first. While
wearing braces, keep your teeth and brackets clean.
If you wear cemented, non-removable braces, food and
plaque can get trapped between teeth and gums. To
reduce your risk of cavities, follow a regimen of
brushing, flossing and rinsing, and reduce your
consumption of sweets and carbohydrates. Plaque and
sugar combine to make acid, which can cause
decalcification (white spots) on teeth and tooth
decay if left behind.
Which foods should I avoid?
It's a good idea not to eat foods
that can damage or dislodge braces. Hard foods such
as candy, raw carrots, corn on the cob, pretzels,
nuts, popcorn and crushed ice are off limits. Sticky
foods to avoid include caramel, taffy and gum. These
foods can get stuck between teeth and gums or bend
wires and knock bands or brackets loose. If this
results in damage to braces, treatment may be
extended.
Do I need to see my dentist during
orthodontic treatment?
Yes. Remember that going to the
orthodontist is not a substitute for regular dental
checkups. If you're going to invest time and
financial resources in a healthy smile, be prepared
to go the distance to achieve results. That means
you should consult your dentist for a schedule
that's appropriate for you.
No matter your age, it is never
to late to improve your dental health and beautify your smile Since braces are
being worn by more adults. |
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Conventional Braces
Continuing research shows
that health problems as varied as headaches and
breathing problems may be related to abnormal
alignments of the bones of the face and jaw. For
example, a person with a long, narrow face is more
likely to have problems breathing through his/her
nose.
The key
to successful diagnosis and
treatment is early intervention should begin as early
as possible. Many parents wait until children are in
their teens before considering braces. But once a
child reaches the age of 13, jaw development slows and there
is limited room for growth.
When a child is treated
between the ages of five and eleven, dentist can redirect
the child's growth and reduce the length of time that a child
wears braces along with also alleviating problems such as
headaches, jaw pain, earache, mouth breathing and sleep
apnea.~
Braces
are made of metal or plastic, braces
include brackets attached to the teeth and wires that connect them. Pressure to
move the teeth is caused by adjusting the wires regularly.
The length of time a person wears
braces depends on age, the severity of the problem and the condition of the
mouth. However, the average child wears braces for 18-30 months. After the
braces are removed, a removable retainer must be worn for several months to hold
the teeth in their proper position until they're more secure.
Wearing braces
usually begins around age 10 although braces can be worn at any age. A
good thing is your smile is something you can change. Early
orthodontic intervention, where appropriate, can make
treatment more predictable. It can also help to alleviate
that ugly duckling teeth phase much earlier, which can be
helpful to a child’s self image as well.
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When Braces Leave Scratches on Teeth
When a child has been wearing braces, it can be a shock for
parents when they come off. Braces can leave scratches on teeth.
Chinese researchers at Beijing Medical University found that
brushing with a fluoride toothpaste promoted mineral deposits on
teeth, and that the scratches were gone in a few weeks. Longer
brushing time with three times a day regularity promoted fastest
improvement.
Visit ADA for more about braces.
Click here for ways to prevent orthodontic problems:
Prevention of Braces
Click here for home care of braces:
Home
Care of Braces
~Braces for Adults, AGD Impact April 2003,
pg 21
* Ms Flossy
** AGD Impact August/September 2001 pg 2,
15-17.
***JADA, Vol. 133, March 2002.
~ DentalNotes, Early Treatment Can Work
Wonders. Summer 2001
February 06, 2008
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