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Invisalign Teen®: What Parents Should Know

January 29th, 2019

Parents want the best for their teens and often ask us about the perks of Invisalign Teen clear aligners compared to traditional braces. Invisalign treatment is a style of braces that skips the usual metal and wires, and uses a clear, thermoplastic material to create removable aligners instead.

Aligners are custom-made for each patient and replaced every two weeks to attain gradually straighter teeth.

Is Invisalign treatment as effective?

As long as your child wears the aligners as directed, the answer is yes: they are just as effective as traditional braces. A small blue spot on the back of each aligner will fade after two weeks of proper wear. This enables Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang to tell whether the child is wearing the aligners.

Can Invisalign aligners be removed?

The recommended amount of time to wear Invisalign aligners is at least 20 hours a day. They can be removed for up to four hours per day to eat, brush teeth, play sports, or play musical instruments. This makes brushing and flossing easier and helps maintain good oral hygiene!

How long does treatment take and what is the cost?

Each patient is different. Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang can determine how many months your child may expect to wear the series of aligners after a consultation.

Typically, your teen will wear Invisalign clear aligners about as long as traditional braces The cost is also similar to that of other traditional braces; however, there is no set fee. The cost will depend on your child’s unique orthodontic needs.

Overall Success

Invisalign Teen treatment has had remarkable success, and patients love having straighter teeth without the embarrassment of metal braces. As your son or daughter becomes more confident, the patient will actually be more likely to keep up with the treatment and complete it sooner.

Speak with Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang today to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign Teen treatment. Give our Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine or Sisters OR office a call!

 

Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® Make You Smile

January 22nd, 2019

Many adults and teens in our Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine or Sisters OR office would love to have their teeth straightened but are unwilling to go through the long and often embarrassing process of wearing traditional metal braces. Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® clear aligners offer the perfect solution: They’re the most advanced clear aligner systems in the world!

If you’re considering getting braces, there are several reasons why you might want to consider Invisalign clear aligners. Here are some of them:

  • You can eat whatever food you like, without worrying about it catching in wires or breaking brackets.
  • People won’t likely be able to tell you’re wearing them!
  • The aligners can be removed at any time.
  • You can brush and floss as you normally would, which helps to maintain better overall oral health.
  • Invisalign aligners are made of a smooth BPA-free plastic and are more comfortable to wear than traditional braces. You’ll need to visit our Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine or Sisters OR office less often: only once every six weeks or so.
  • With Invisalign Teen, you’ll receive up to six replacements for lost or broken aligners.

Before starting treatment, you’ll have a consultation with Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang to see if Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatment is right for you. After that, you’ll have X-rays, pictures, and impressions taken of your teeth.

That information will be used to make the 3D models of your teeth that let Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang see how they will move throughout the entire treatment and approximately how long it will take.

You’ll receive your aligners based on the treatment plan we recommend. You’ll get a new set of aligners every two weeks. All you need to do is wear your aligners 22 hours a day and you’ll be on your way to a straighter smile in no time!

Ask a member of our Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine or Sisters OR team for more information about Invisalign clear aligners today!

What is lingual orthodontic treatment?

January 15th, 2019

This might be the year that you’ve absolutely decided to do something to improve your smile. Perhaps your teeth are not as straight as you would like. Perhaps your bite is a bit off. Perhaps you want the increased confidence that a beautiful smile brings. But, for any number of reasons, perhaps you don’t want to sport traditional braces for a year or two. In that case, talk to Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang about lingual braces!

What are lingual braces?

In normal braces, brackets are attached to the front of each tooth with a special dental cement, and rubber bands or clips within the brackets grip an arch wire that moves the teeth into alignment through gradual adjustments. These braces are very effective, but, even with ceramic or clear brackets, they are visible.

Lingual means “toward the tongue,” and this is the key difference between lingual braces and traditional types of orthodontic braces. With this option, brackets are custom-designed to be applied to the inside of your teeth. A precise treatment plan is designed specifically for you, and individually crafted arch wires (again, on the inside of the teeth) guide your teeth to their best alignment. The resulting braces are almost impossible to detect.

Will lingual braces work for you?

You might be a good candidate for lingual braces if:

  • You want the least visible orthodontic treatment available.
  • You don’t have a major malocclusion (bite problem). A severe overbite might not leave room for the brackets.
  • Your tooth surface is large enough for lingual brackets. Children or adults with small teeth might not be ideal candidates.

Because lingual braces are more difficult to install and adjust, orthodontists require special training and education to provide them to patients. If you think that lingual braces might be a good fit for you, talk to a member of our Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine or Sisters OR team. We are happy to provide the information you will need to decide if lingual braces are the best option for you, and the expertise to design your custom treatment if you choose them. We want the best outcome for you and your smile, and there is absolutely no “perhaps” about that.

How Braces Can Work at Any Age

January 8th, 2019

The team at The Brace Place loves to help adults achieve straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. If you are considering getting braces, here are some things you’ll need to know.

Can braces work for adults?

The good news is that braces work for just about anyone. There are several different types of braces, howver, and not all of them may work for you. The different kinds of orthodontic treatments include:

  • Ceramic braces
  • Metal braces
  • Self-ligating brackets
  • Lingual brackets (braces behind the teeth)
  • Invisible braces
  • Rubber bands for bite correction
  • Headgear and other appliances

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang, and we can help you determine the best option for your needs.

How do I get started?

We understand that braces can be a daunting prospect for many individuals. They may appear expensive and time-consuming; however, the process can be relatively pain-free! Here are the first steps you need to take on the road to straight teeth.

You will probably have a lot of questions and concerns before starting. Here are a few questions you should ask:

  • What kind of braces do you recommend for my teeth?
  • How long will the treatment take?
  • How often will I need to come in for adjustments?
  • What is the total cost of the treatment? Do you accept insurance? Will you require the full amount up front, or do you have payment plans?

During your first meeting with Dr. Quas, Dr. Wiater and Dr. Kang, we’ll take some X-rays and molds of your teeth to help you determine your best treatment plan. To ensure your treatment is as effective as possible, we may include preliminary dental work before your braces are placed.

After you’ve chosen a treatment plan and undergone any necessary prerequisite dental work, you’ll be on your way to a better smile! Call our Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine or Sisters OR location so you can get started today!

doctor and happy patient

“I just really appreciate everyone here and the kindness you've shown to our girls. I know their parents would be so happy to know they get such great care. The doctors always go way out of their way to help us every time.”~ Allison

“We just love it here! The honesty is great. I love that we don't feel taken advantage of, which unfortunately we have been elsewhere. You have a great staff and we think the best of you! Keep up the good work. The doctors are always wonderful and never rushed, which I love!”~ The Goff Fmamily

“I may not have been to other orthodontists, but from what I hear from my friends and family, The Brace Place seems the best. Every time you walk in you are greeted with a smile, shich always starts your day off right. Couldn't ask for a better staff!”~ Diane E.

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Invisalign iTero American Association of Orthodontists Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Cenral Oregon Dental Society