It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Invisalign®! - The Center For Holistic Dentistry

Focusing On Your Whole Body Health

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If you have a crooked tooth, odd spaces between your teeth or a poor bite, you might be considering all of your orthodontic options. Orthodontics is a specialty in dentistry that realigns your bite and teeth for the best possible look and function.

Did you know that our ancestors actually had naturally larger jaws? This meant they had more room in their mouth for all of their teeth to fit comfortably. But over time, due to genetic changes, human mouths are smaller than ever before. One out of every five people will have a problem with how their teeth fit and line up in their mouth! Invisalign® is one great option for the modern human who wants straighter teeth, without unsightly metal brackets and wires. If for any reason you aren’t fully comfortable with your smile, Dr. Lerner in Yorktown Heights wants you to know your options. Read more below about orthodontics and Invisalign®.

Malocclusion

When your mouth is closed, your top teeth should rest comfortably on top and a little to the front of your bottom teeth. This resting position is called your bite. If your teeth don’t come down at a good angle, it might be because you have an improper bite. An improper bite, called malocclusion, is sometimes just cosmetic, but it can cause pain and difficulty eating or speaking, as well as problems with the jaw joint (TMJ).

A bad bite can look like:

  • Overbite: when your top teeth are too far in front of your bottom teeth
  • Underbite: when your bottom teeth are in front of your top teeth
  • Crossbite: when your top or bottom teeth fell left or right of center

If your teeth are out of place, it can affect many aspects of your life. You might have head and neck pain, trouble eating or speaking, or feel shy about your appearance. Crooked teeth also increase your chance of developing tooth decay and gum disease because it’s harder to clear debris even with regular brushing and flossing.

Orthodontics

There are many ways to move your teeth and bite to into a better position. All orthodontic treatment requires careful planning, time, and may cause a bit of soreness. You are moving real bones, after all! Orthodontic treatments involve some kind of metal or plastic in your mouth that will apply just the right kind of pressure to shift your teeth over time. This is called an appliance and it can either be removable or cemented in your mouth. Common orthodontic appliances include:

  • Metal braces on the front of your teeth
  • Lingual braces placed behind your teeth
  • Invisalign® clear aligners
  • Retainers
  • Expanders

Invisalign® vs. Conventional Braces

The Invisalign® treatment is able to achieve the same results as conventional metal braces but without the ugly metal braces! Instead, Invisalign® uses a series of clear plastic aligners to apply pressure and gently shift teeth into their desired location.

  • Invisalign® uses plastic aligner trays instead of metal brackets.
  • The aligners are removable, so even though you need to wear them for most of the day (20-22 hours) you can actually take them out for eating, cleaning, and for special occasions. Regular braces are permanently cemented in place.
  • You will get new Invisalign® aligners approximately every two weeks. Each set will be slightly different to slowly move your teeth into a better position.
  • Removing Invisalign® aligners makes oral care, like brushing your teeth, easier than if you have metal braces for better oral and periodontal health.
  • Invisalign® may work best on simpler cases but it can often work faster than braces.

Getting Invisalign®

It’s never too early (or too late) to achieve optimal oral health. Having a proper bite and a confident smile can improve nearly every aspect of your daily life. The Center for Holistic Dentistry can give you a professional consultation and even create a flexible payment plan to help you get the orthodontic treatment you deserve. If you have questions about Invisalign® or any other orthodontic options, call today! We’d love to give you something to smile about.


Sources

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/malocclusion-and-orthodontics-topic-overview#1

https://www.invisalign.com/how-invisalign-works

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/adult-orthodontics

Your Top-Rated & New Favorite Dentist In Yorktown Heights, NY

"I can’t thank Dr. Lerner and his staff enough, notably his assistant Nicole for expertly handling my mercury filling removals.I had it done in 2 phases and they took very good care of me on both occasions. The whole office is very pleasant, so professional and I look forward to my visits. On this most recent cleaning appointment, Linda did my cleaning. She was gentle and thorough. Highly recommend."

- Vanessa R.

"Excellent experience during my initial consultation. The most complete examination I have ever had by a dentist, including full body muscle testing. This testing uncovered major alignment issues with my jaw which has been causing a lifetime of misalignment throughout the rest of my body. Dr. Lerner and his staff are outside the box thinkers and I am very happy I have found them."

- Greg R.

"Very professional and compassionate. Love the use of Nucalm, eye mask, calming music, and making removing my mercury fillings a pleasant experience. Well as pleasant as can be. Thank you!!!"

- Jodi B.

"Been seeing Dr Lerner since I was about 11 years old, I’m now 31! I continue to see Jane for cleanings and just did the zoom whitening treatment with them in preparation of my wedding- highly recommend!"

- Chloe L.

*The reviews listed are from actual patients of The Center For Holistic Dentistry. Individual results may vary. Reviews are not claimed to represent results for everyone.

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What To Expect On Your First Visit

Our mission is to encourage full-body wellness through oral health while allowing you to feel heard and understand all your options. During your new patient exam, Dr. Lerner will spend time reviewing your health history, concerns, and goals. Your comprehensive exam will address items you may not have considered such as airway screening and dental materials sensitivity testing. We look forward to meeting you!

Comprehensive Review Of Your Health History & Concerns

Evaluation Of Teeth, Bite, Gums & Airway Passage

Low Radiation Digital X-Rays

Discover Your Options & Receive A Custom Treatment Plan