What Is Invisalign®?

Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces...

Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces. Invisalign® uses a series of clear removable aligners (pictured to the left) to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets. Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in over 40,000 patients nationwide. Here's why you should get Invisalign treatment.

How Does Invisalign® Work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. 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 we have prescribed. You'll visit us about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months.

How Are Aligners Made?
You'd Be Amazed... The aligners are made through a combination of our orthodontic and cosmetic expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.

Why Get Invisalign®?

Get The Smile You Have Always Wanted...
Misalignment of teeth or Malocclusion is one of the most prevalent clinical dental conditions, affecting over 200 million individuals, or approximately 75% of the U.S. population.

Besides appearance factors, many people do not realize that malocclusion may also be responsible for dental problems such as tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, jaw joint pain and headaches. However, because of the compromised aesthetics, discomfort and other drawbacks associated with conventional braces, only a relatively small proportion of people with malocclusion seek traditional treatment.

With the introduction of Invisalign®, though, you can now get treatment for malocclusion without braces or other discomforting orthodontic procedures.

Invisalign® can help you get the great smile you've always wanted because it's...

Invisible
Invisible, so no one can tell you're straightening your teeth. So now you can smile more during treatment as well as after.

Removable
Removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem.

Predictable
Invisalign® allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start - so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

Comfortable
Comfortable, because it has no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in our office getting adjustments.

Visit the Invisalign Web Site for More Information

Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it is inevitable that, over time, some yellowing or discoloration will occur. This gradual change can be caused by aging, substances that stain your teeth (such as coffee and tobacco), excessive fluoride, or the deterioration of a tooth's nerve. A tooth whitening treatment can be performed either as an at-home, dentist-supervised process or in the dentist's chair. While neither of these methods stops future discoloration, these treatments bring about whiter teeth and help create a brighter smile

The active ingredient is carbamide peroxide. It is applied to your teeth in a soft custom tray. When applied, the peroxide breaks down and oxygen enters your teeth and removes the unwanted color. Only the color is removed: tooth structure is not affected!

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A crown ( also called a cap) is a man-made cover that protects the top of a tooth. It may be used to restore and preserve a decayed, broken, or cracked tooth. Crowns can also correct some cosmetic tooth problems, giving you a better smile.

Why You May Need a Crown

• A decayed or damaged tooth that needs to be restored to its normal shape and size
• A cracked or broken tooth with large cavities or worn fillings
• A poor-fitting crown
• A tooth that has a large opening on its top surface root canal surgery
• A cosmetic tooth problem
• A bite problem

For individuals who wish to replace missing teeth, dental implants may be an effective long-term solution. Implants provide greater structural support and last longer than either bridges or dentures. Implants serve as the artificial root to which new teeth are bonded. They are typically constructed of titanium, a strong and safe material that effectively attaches to bone. The procedure to insert dental implants typically involve three steps: the implant insertion stage, osseointegration (the period of healing for the jawbone), and the attachment of the restoration or new tooth.

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You now have a partial denture to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. You should be able to chew more easily and with greater comfort. The partial will also help preserve your remaining teeth. Wearing a partial can be easy. Just spend a time getting used to it. And take good care of your partial to keep your mouth healthy and help keep your partial last.

Your Partial Denture

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Veneers are a thin, translucent coating made out of porcelain or resin (plastic). They are applied to the front teeth to improve their color, size, or shape. Veneers can help you achieve the smile you want.

Are Veneers Right for You? Veneers can correct many dental problems. These include:

• Teeth discolored from medication or age
• Front teeth that are worn or chipped
• Gaps and other spaces between teeth
• Crooked teeth

Veneers may require 2 or 3 office visits from start to finish. We will first examine your teeth. Then discuss what kind of veneers will be used. Your teeth are prepared for veneers. And the veneers are bonded to your teeth.

Before bonding, we will ft the veneers on your teeth and check the color. Slight changes in veneer color can be made by varying the color of the cement. The surfaces of your teeth are then cleansed. The veneers are bonded to your teeth with a special cement that is hardened with a high-intensity light. Any excess cement is removed. Finished veneers should feel comfortable.