Treatments
Adolescent
While there is not a specific age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends making the first orthodontist appointment around age seven. Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary.
Adults
Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their oral health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.
Invisalign
Invisalign
Invisalign Teen
Invisalign First
There’s never been a better time to straighten your teeth with the most advanced clear aligner in the world. Our office is proud to be a certified provider of Invisalign clear aligners, which give you a clear, virtually invisible, convenient, and comfortable option to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
- Faster treatment: With weekly aligner changes, you’re on your way to the smile you want with faster results than traditional braces. Depending on your response to treatment, particularly in mature adults, we may consider longer periods between aligner changes.
- Proven results: SmartTrack® material and SmartForce® features are clinically proven to improve control of tooth movement with Invisalign clear aligners.
- Better fit: Aligners made from SmartTrack material are comfortable, fit well and are easy to put on and take off as needed.
- Effective: Invisalign clear aligners can treat a wide range of teeth-straightening conditions, including crossbites, crowding, open bites, gapped teeth, overbites, and underbites.
- Virtually invisible: Most people won’t even know you’re going through treatment, because Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible!
- Comfortable: Invisalign clear aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they’re also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing to eating whatever you like.
- Convenient: Invisalign treatment is ideal for your busy schedule; you will typically only need to visit our office every six weeks.
No two teen cases are the same, which is why Align Technology is constantly advancing its Invisalign digital treatment solutions. This allows our office to deliver a unique, customized teeth-straightening solution that’s more precise and keeps your teen moving forward.
With the Invisalign system’s proprietary innovations, such as SmartTrack® material, your teen’s smile can transform up to 50% faster.* As your teen undergoes treatment, he or she will continue to enjoy the things that make them unique.
With the Invisalign system’s proprietary innovations, such as SmartTrack® material, your teen’s smile can transform up to 50% faster.* As your teen undergoes treatment, he or she will continue to enjoy the things that make them unique.
Invisalign First is designed specifically for children who are candidates for Early Treatment, and can treat a broad range of teeth straightening issues in growing children, from simple to complex, including crowding, spacing, and narrow dental arches. Invisalign First clear aligner treatment delivers predictable results and a positive experience while addressing the unique needs of growing children.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery is performed on adults. In some cases, your upper and lower jaws may have grown at different rates. Injuries and birth defects may also affect jaw alignment. While orthodontics can usually correct problems when only the teeth are misaligned, corrective jaw surgery may be necessary to correct misalignment of the jaws. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, you may be an excellent candidate for corrective jaw surgery:
- Difficulty chewing, biting food, or swallowing
- Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
- Excessive wear of the teeth
- Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
- Unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side
- Facial injury or birth defects
- Receding chin
- Inability to make the lips meet without straining
- Protruding jaw
- Chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
- Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)
Orthodontics and Overall Health
Airway information
Working closely with local ENT’s, our doctors have incorporated the protocols recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists regarding the evaluation and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.
The WHOLE patient is what we think about every day. When evaluating an adult, adolescent, or child, the first thing our doctors focus on is the airway. Sleep-disordered breathing is extremely common, serious, and in children, potentially life-altering. Children with obstructive sleep apnea may experience impairment to their cognitive development, may get misdiagnosed with ADHD, experience bedwetting, and grow into adults that rob them of a quality life. Our doctors look, care, and treat.
Sleep apnea is an increasingly common medical condition where the patient stops breathing while they sleep. In some cases, this only happens from time to time, while for others, it can occur as much as 30 times an hour. This condition has the ability to cause or contribute to numerous other health issues.
One of the biggest problems resulting from sleep apnea is how much it disrupts sleep. Every time the patient stops breathing, the central nervous system notes the lack of oxygen and the change in normal respiratory function, alerting the brain. This pulls the patient out of deep sleep and possibly wakes them up completely. Those who experience the cessation of breathing frequently during the night may be unable to achieve deep sleep, which then results in feeling drowsy and having low energy levels when awake.
The WHOLE patient is what we think about every day. When evaluating an adult, adolescent, or child, the first thing our doctors focus on is the airway. Sleep-disordered breathing is extremely common, serious, and in children, potentially life-altering. Children with obstructive sleep apnea may experience impairment to their cognitive development, may get misdiagnosed with ADHD, experience bedwetting, and grow into adults that rob them of a quality life. Our doctors look, care, and treat.
Sleep apnea is an increasingly common medical condition where the patient stops breathing while they sleep. In some cases, this only happens from time to time, while for others, it can occur as much as 30 times an hour. This condition has the ability to cause or contribute to numerous other health issues.
One of the biggest problems resulting from sleep apnea is how much it disrupts sleep. Every time the patient stops breathing, the central nervous system notes the lack of oxygen and the change in normal respiratory function, alerting the brain. This pulls the patient out of deep sleep and possibly wakes them up completely. Those who experience the cessation of breathing frequently during the night may be unable to achieve deep sleep, which then results in feeling drowsy and having low energy levels when awake.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Because most patients are only awake for a brief moment due to their breathing difficulties, they often do not realize that they are suffering from sleep apnea. Instead, they need to look for other signs that indicate there might be a problem. If you observe any of the following signs, make an appointment with us.
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring at night
- Waking up at night short of breath
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
- Headaches upon waking in the morning
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Some people are more at risk of developing sleep apnea than others. Men develop sleep apnea more often than women do, and it tends to affect those over the age of 40 more than the general population. Other factors that increase the risk of developing sleep apnea include obesity, smoking, drinking, sedative use, and family history. Central sleep apnea is more prevalent in those with heart disorders, neuromuscular disorders, strokes, or brain tumors.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
There are many risks associated with sleep apnea. Those who suffer from it and go without treatment tend to develop high blood pressure. As a result of this, heart failure and stroke become more likely. The severe fatigue caused by disrupted sleep can also make it difficult to succeed at work and school and may also make it dangerous to complete certain daily tasks, such as driving.
It can also be problematic when being treated for other issues. For example, medications that suppress the central nervous system can cause the patient to quit breathing at all should they also have sleep apnea. And in surgical settings, the combination of sedation and lying flat can make complications more likely.
It can also be problematic when being treated for other issues. For example, medications that suppress the central nervous system can cause the patient to quit breathing at all should they also have sleep apnea. And in surgical settings, the combination of sedation and lying flat can make complications more likely.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
The manner in which sleep apnea is treated depends on the severity of the case and the type of apnea the patient is presenting with. At the most basic level, treatment is behavioral. Patients work on weight loss, changing habits such as smoking, or side sleeping instead of sleeping on their backs.
If this alone does not work, oral devices that change the position of the mouth may work. Oral sleep appliance therapy is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A custom-designed appliance is made for you and is worn when sleeping. From there, CPAP machines and surgery may be considered.
If this alone does not work, oral devices that change the position of the mouth may work. Oral sleep appliance therapy is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A custom-designed appliance is made for you and is worn when sleeping. From there, CPAP machines and surgery may be considered.
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
In order to formally diagnose sleep apnea, a sleep study must be conducted. We work with a board-certified sleep physician to complete this part of the treatment. Legally, sleep apnea can only be treated if an official diagnosis has been made. As such, while we are happy to work with you, the first step after your initial appointment with us will be the sleep study.
If you dream about waking up feeling refreshed rather than feeling like you need to go back to bed, we want to help you.
If you dream about waking up feeling refreshed rather than feeling like you need to go back to bed, we want to help you.
Technology
ITERO
The iTero® Intraoral Scanner allows your orthodontist to provide quick, reliable, comfortable, and effective impressions without goopy impression material in the mouth. This will eliminate the known uncomfortable sensations, occasional peculiar taste, and undesirable mess. The digital information can be relayed immediately to the laboratory and most importantly, the patient can just sit back and relax throughout the whole process.
Color scanning gives you a significant leap forward in visualization. The color sensor is integrated with the iTero® Intraoral scanner, and the patented dual-aperture lens system is designed to simultaneously capture 2D images in color with highly accurate 3D laser scanning. Color scanning can make it easier to distinguish between gingival and tooth structures for a more precise clinical evaluation.
Color scanning gives you a significant leap forward in visualization. The color sensor is integrated with the iTero® Intraoral scanner, and the patented dual-aperture lens system is designed to simultaneously capture 2D images in color with highly accurate 3D laser scanning. Color scanning can make it easier to distinguish between gingival and tooth structures for a more precise clinical evaluation.
I-CAT 3D imaging
The i-CAT® Cone Beam 3D Imaging System allows your orthodontist to provide quick, comfortable, and effective imaging for the most precise orthodontic diagnosis possible. i-CAT® technology provides 3D data for:
Patients can take advantage of a more complete orthodontic treatment with i-CAT® imaging. Its innovative features include:
- Orthodontic evaluation and treatment planning
- TMJ treatment
- Airway assessments and sleep apnea
- Full facial and jaw 3D images
Patients can take advantage of a more complete orthodontic treatment with i-CAT® imaging. Its innovative features include:
- One 20-second scan that provides your doctor with enough data for a complete diagnosis
- A safer diagnosis with less radiation than traditional CT scanners
- Increased comfort: patients are seated in an open environment with plenty of space
- Doctors can easily share the data with patients, so patients stay informed and are able to make educated decisions on their course of treatment
3D Printing
We are proud to be on the cutting edge of everything new and innovative in the orthodontic world. In our office, we have the capability through using the Form 2 3D printer. A finely-calibrated optical system ensures precise prints straight out of the box, using resins tuned for the specific accuracy needs of a range of dental applications. With accuracy tolerances for margin lines and die surfaces as tight as ± 35 microns on Dental Model Resin, the Form 2 delivers outstanding precision.
Seamless integration with the Itero Element (our digital scanners) makes 3D printed digital workflows as easy as clicking “Next”. This means that we will be able to produce your model in-house within hours.
Seamless integration with the Itero Element (our digital scanners) makes 3D printed digital workflows as easy as clicking “Next”. This means that we will be able to produce your model in-house within hours.