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Posts for tag: clear orthodontic aligners

By Angela Harney, DMD
September 10, 2012
Category: Dental Procedures
ClearOrthodonticAlignersAnAlternativeToBracesForAdults

If you are insecure about your misaligned crooked teeth, then you may be a perfect candidate for clear orthodontic aligners. This system is an alternative to traditional braces that uses a sequence of individual, clear, removable “trays” that fit over your teeth to gradually straighten them. Each tray is completely clear and covers all the teeth thus making it virtually invisible. Each tray is designed to slightly move the teeth until the teeth are in proper alignment. Typically, each tray must be worn for 20 hours a day for 2 weeks before progressing to the next tray in the sequence with each tray moving you closer towards your goal — perfectly aligned teeth.

However, clear orthodontic aligners are not for everyone. If you are interested and wonder if they can benefit you, contact us so that we can schedule an appointment for a thorough evaluation to assess your specific situation. Below, we have briefly outlined some situations when they will and will not work.

Clear orthodontic aligners work if...

  • You have mild to moderate crowding or spacing issues between teeth
  • Back teeth fit together properly

They may not be the right choice if...

  • You have moderate to severe crowding or spacing issues between teeth
  • When your bite does not align properly (for example, if you have a large over-, under-, or cross-bite)
  • When your teeth are “rotated” way out of position; such misaligned teeth will require special or complex techniques to rotate them back into position, or to pull them down into place or to fill the space left after pulling a tooth to resolve excessive crowding of teeth

Want to learn more?

Contact us today to discuss your questions or to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the article “Clear Orthodontic Aligners.”

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By Angela M. Harney D.M.D., P.A.
July 06, 2011
Category: Beautiful Smile

You’re Never Too Old for Invisalign

 It’s the clearly beautiful way to straighten your teeth—at any age

Ask if Invisaling is right for you. Lean more
Like many adults, you might feel that your teeth aren’t as straight and healthy-looking as you wish they were. You may have worn braces as a teenager, but because you stopped wearing your retainer at some point, your teeth have relapsed over time. So now they’re a little crooked—doctors call this “malocclusion.” It’s a very common problem among adults.

You’ve probably seen ads for Invisalign aligners—the clear way to straighten teeth and create a healthy smile. It’s safe, easy, and relatively quick—the average treatment lasts about one year. And, because the aligners are virtually clear, almost no one can tell you’re in treatment unless you tell them. By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth right before your eyes. Change the aligners about every two weeks and your teeth will move, little by little, toward the smile you’ve always wanted–one that everyone can see!

Invisalign aligners are comfortable to wear, and don’t require you to change your busy lifestyle. You will visit our office every month or two to check your progress and get a new set of aligners. Because the aligners are removable, you can continue to eat your favorite foods while brushing and flossing normally to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

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By Angela M. Harney D.M.D., P.A.
June 14, 2011
Category: Beautiful Smile

Over this past weekend, Dr Harney attended the annual Florida National Dental Convention.  She attended courses to become an Advanced Invisalign Provider.Invisalign logo

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By Angela M. Harney D.M.D., P.A.
May 25, 2011
Category: Dental Procedures
female using invisalign clear aligner

For adults with a reasonably well fitting bite, but mild to moderate crowding or spaces between your teeth, clear orthodontic aligners can be an ideal solution for straightening your teeth. This is why we offer this treatment option to our patients experiencing these issues. However, for those of you who are unfamiliar with what they are or how they work, this will give you a brief understanding.

Clear orthodontic aligners consist of a series of clear “trays” that fit snuggly over all teeth to slowly shift them into alignment. Patients are typically required to wear them 20 hours per day for about 2 weeks before progressing to the next tray. With each new tray, you are one step closer to achieving your goal of perfectly aligned teeth. The entire process usually lasts 6-18 months depending on how much movement is required to achieve the goals.

Each aligner is individually made from very precise molds of the patient's teeth to ensure proper fit. And we map out the entire alignment process using computer generation from each patient's initial molds so that we can identify the number of trays required. But best of all, clear orthodontic aligners are perfectly smooth with no rough edges like traditional braces, and you can remove them for eating, brushing, and flossing teeth as well as for brief social events.

To learn more about this topic, read the article “Clear Orthodontic Aligners.” Or you can contact us today to discuss your questions or to schedule an appointment.

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By Angela M. Harney D.M.D., P.A.
May 11, 2011
Category: Beautiful Smile

HEALTH BENEFITS

Inisalign female hiding smileYou may be surprised to know that the benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident smile.  According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall dental health.1 Think about it—a smile can hardly be perfect if it's not a healthy one. Fortunately, with Invisalign, having a confident smile and reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease go hand in hand.

HEALTHIER TEETH AND GUMS

Swollen, red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Unfortunately, these are also signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems. That’s where Invisalign comes in.  The comfortable and clear aligners gently and gradually begin to move your teeth into the proper position - without unsightly brackets and wires.
 

EASIER CLEANING

One of the biggest challenges of having braces is removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires. This can often lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so it’s easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.
 

OVERALL HEALTH

Think of your teeth as a window to the health of your body. Your teeth and gums - and how they look to others when you smile—say a lot about your overall health. If you're taking good care of both, you're probably taking good care of the rest of you.  Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by bacteria. Left untreated, they can cause mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss. Studies by the American Dental Association have shown that oral infections can also lead to other more serious ailments such as heart disease2, stroke3, pneumonia4 and diabetes5. Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, thus reducing the risk of possible problems. And correctly aligned teeth can also alleviate the issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems, and increased wear on the tooth enamel.  Invisalign effectively addresses all of these orthodontic issues, so you'll have the confidence of a great smile and increase the likelihood of improved oral health.
 
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