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. Weiss

Gum Disease Can Sneak Up On You

You can feel it when you have a cavity. But unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you realizing it. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Because of this, it’s very important to watch for the warning signs of the disease:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position
• Any change in the way partial dentures fit

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, make an appointment right away by calling 901-767-7370. . We can diagnose the problem, find out how far the disease has advanced, and start treatment.

Is Invisalign Really Customized for Each Patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. If you were a candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we’d do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we would then look at this current positioning and compare that to the ideal placement of your teeth – in other words, exactly where we would want them to end up.

Next we’d use the software to map out the exact path your teeth would take from now through the end of your treatment. Based on this precise prescription, a set of custom aligners would be created specially for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you’d wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time, each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And the whole time it would be your secret, since the aligners are virtually invisible!

Dr. Weiss is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 901-767-7370.

A few weeks into Invisalign

Last week, I showed you a video of a patient who had been wearing her Invisalign aligners for only 10 minutes. This week, I thought that I'd show you a video of a patient who has been wearing her aligners for a few weeks. I'll keep browsing YouTube in hopes of finding patient testimonials from all stages of the Invisalign process. Until then, here's stage two... a few weeks of wearing Invisalign and still a smiling face:

More About Invisalign

When you first put on Invisalign, the experience can be a little weird. You may talk with a lisp at first, the aligners might not fit completely, and your mouth might feel a bit weird in general. This is all normal. To get an in depth view of what it's like to wear Invisalign, check out this great testimonial:

Simple Questions to Ask Yourself

Are you still on the fence about getting Invisalign? Ask yourself if any of the following apply to you and maybe you'll find that Invisalign is just about perfect for you!

Do you want the inconvenience of regular dental visits for
adjustment?

Are you afraid the wires and adjustments will be uncomfortable?

You don't like the thought of having to clean around your braces.

You don't want to have to wait years for straighter teeth.

You think braces will make you self-conscious about your smile.

If you answered yes to any or all of these, I encourage you to call my Membphis, TN orthodontic practice for an initial consultation.

Getting Invisalign in Memphis, TN

Have you been thinking about the benefits of Invisalign? Whether or not you are ready to get braces or Invisalign tomorrow, it's extremely important to do your research and make sure that you find the orthodontic treatment that's right for you. Below is a video I came across about Invisalign. Check this out and let me know what questions you have. I'll be happy to help you find the best way to make you smile!

Getting Invisalign (invisible braces) in Memphis and Millington, TN

Dr. Danny Weiss is a Certified Invisalign^® Orthodontist in Memphis and Millington, TN.

At Weiss Orthodontics, your smile is our top priority! This is why Dr. Danny Weiss became an Invsalign orthodontist for the Memphis and Millington, TN areas. Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted – without braces. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Weiss can determine if Invisalign is right for you.

What is it?

Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology, and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign.

Why would I want it?

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with 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. 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.

How does it 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 Dr. Weiss has prescribed.

You'll visit Dr. Weiss 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.

Benefits of Braces

Why Braces?



Your dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having
healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded
teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth
decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss.

Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear
of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive
stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth,
or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic
headaches and face or neck pain.

Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the
additional care required to treat dental problems arising
as a result of orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful
smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your
braces come off, you'll feel more self-confident.



Braces
for All Ages



Adults



Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults
especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One
of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21.
Jaw surgery is more often required for adult orthodontic patients
because their jaws are not growing.

Adults also may have experienced some breakdown or loss of
their teeth and bone that supports the teeth and may require
periodontal treatment before, during and/or after orthodontic
treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction
of tooth movement that is advisable.



Kids



It's best for the orthodontist to see children by age 7 to
advise if orthodontic treatment is required and the best time
for that patient to be treated. The first permanent molars
and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites,
crowding and other problems can be evaluated. When treatment
is begun early, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the
jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth.

Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper
and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid
the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood
of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate
abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early
treatment can simplify later treatment.



How Orthodontic
Treatment Works



Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic.
They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the
teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully
controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected
position.

This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when
a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth.
You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color.
You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in
brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to
be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort
to patients.



Duration
of Treatment



Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending
on the growth of the patient's mouth and face and the severity
of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will
respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to
case completion may differ from the original estimate.

The patient's diligent use of any prescribed rubber bands
or headgear is an important factor in achieving the most efficient
treatment. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may
take as few as six months.