Tag Archives: Invisalign

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Options for straightening teeth

I’ve had crooked teeth my whole life. My parents could not afford to get them fixed. I’m now starting my career and have some discretionary money to fix my teeth. Could you list out some ways to fix my teeth at varying expenses. Don’t tell me what is the cheapest or most expensive. I want to just think about what I feel the best option is.

Thanks,

Cynthia F.- Alabama

Cynthia,

Here are three good options for you:

1. Invisalign: Not everyone is a candidate, but any Invisalign dentist can tell you and many dentists do a complimentary consultation so you don’t waste money figuring out if you’re a candidate.  These are aligners that work like braces, except that they are essentially invisible. No one will know you are wearing them. They’ll take about six months to a year to straighten your teeth.  When you’re done, you’ll have a beautiful, straight smile. You might ask your dentist if he’ll allow you to use the aligners as whitening trays. That will allow you to knock out two birds with one stone.

2. Cosmetic Contouring: This is a reshaping of your teeth that takes about one to three office visits. You’ll need x-rays to make sure your teeth are healthy enough for this procedure.  Sometimes just a couple of millimeters of tooth reduction can make your smile completely different. A sanding drill or laser can reshape them. Abrasive strips can shape the sides of your teeth.

3. Porcelain Veneers: In just two appointments, you can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth.

Here is some important advice though, the last two methods need an expert cosmetic dentist.  Don’t settle for the average family dentist who knows some cosmetic procedures. He needs to have the expertise and artistry that only comes from extensive post-graduate training. Your safest avenue is to find someone who is AACD accredited.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

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Really Confused about TMJ Treatment?

I’ve been recently diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction was told I would need to be fitted for a splint that I would wear for 69 months until my symptoms went away and then I would need to look at more permanent option like orthodontics. This doesn’t seem to reflect a lot of the research I’ve been doing. Most of what I’ve been reading seems to say that TMJ is very poorly understood and they aren’t really sure how to treat it. I’ve read that splints can be effective but it varies from person to person and they shouldn’t be worn over an extended period of time. I also read that irreversible options such as braces should be avoided. Doing less seems to be the preferred method of treatment. So now I’m really confused. Do I go ahead with what the doctor recommended or do I try lifestyle changes such as correcting my posture, minimizing stress, etc which seems to be supported my credible institutions and organizations.

Thanks, Ashley

Dear Ashley,

We are glad to know that you have been doing some of your own research on TMJ Dysfunction. The cause of temporomandibular dysfunction is unclear and can be difficult to treat at times however some things that can contribute to this disorder are grinding and clenching of the teeth, stress, a bad bite, and arthritis. Wearing a splint can relieve a lot of symptoms like a popping and clicking jaw, headaches and earaches, as well as in the prevention of grinding and clenching of ones teeth. This disorder can last for a short time and go away on its own or last for years. At times orthodontics is recommended especially if your bite if off. Having braces may eliminate your TMJ dysfunction but not a guarantee. If patients experience severe symptoms and a split is not working for them surgery is recommended however this is very rare. Making some lifestyle changes is not a bad idea and may help relieve some pain therefore reducing stress, eating soft foods, exercise, and not chewing gum to name a few. Placing ice or heat packs on the side of your face may also help in relieving some discomfort.

Post courtesy of Dr. Malone, Lafayette Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist

 

Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

Crooked front tooth options

I hope you can help me. I’ve been trying (without success) to find a dentist to straighten my teeth. So far I have talked to three different dentists, and they all say different things about what the best way to do this is! Who am I supposed to believe? They all have really impressive credentials, so I can’t just look at the stuff hanging on their walls and know who to trust.

The tooth next to my front tooth on the right side is crooked. I mean REALLY crooked, and it is completely out of alignment, way behind my other teeth. It looks BAD. Are braces the only thing I can do in this situation? Is Invisalign a possibility? What would happen if I said I wanted to get the crooked tooth removed?

Thanks for your advice,

Becky in Honolulu

Dear Becky,

Invisalign is usually appropriate for adults with crooked teeth if all of their teeth are fully erupted. In some cases of extreme crowding Invisalign might not be effective, but a dentist certified to treat with Invisalign would certainly recognize such a situation and suggest treatment accordingly.

Another option that you have not mentioned is porcelain veneers. A porcelain veneer could work to create the appearance of a normal, straight tooth, though you do state that the tooth is misaligned. Again, a skilled, experienced cosmetic dentist will tell you whether or not a porcelain veneer is a possibility.

I would not recommend opting to have the crooked tooth extracted. From a cosmetic standpoint, an uneven number of front teeth is just never going to look right. Symmetry is extremely important in smile aesthetics, and an uneven number of teeth simply cannot be symmetrical. From a functional standpoint, a missing tooth will cause the teeth surrounding the gap to shift. This movement can create bite alignment issues, that in turn can lead to problems with your tempromandibular joint (TMJ).

For your best results, I would consult with a dentist that does both Invisalign and is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Ask to see samples of their work through a smile gallery.

Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

Choosing between Invisalign invisible braces or porcelain veneers

I have always wished to have a really beautiful smile, and have finally reached the point where I can afford to do it. I have one tooth that is crooked, but other than that no big problems with my teeth. I want them to be much brighter and whiter, so I’ve been considering getting 10 porcelain veneers on my top teeth. Whenever I look at the pictures on dentist’s websites, I really like the smiles of the patients who got porcelain veneers.

My dentist doesn’t seem all that excited about this, though, which is weird to me because it is a LOT of money I am ready to spend on this. He has suggested that I consider Invisalign invisible braces instead. I can only see one crooked tooth, so that seems like overkill, to get braces for one crooked tooth. He says he will do the veneers, but that I should have the Invisalign treatment first. That will add up to a year to my treatment time, not to mention the extra cost.

Is this usual, to have orthodontic work before getting veneers placed?

Thanks for your input,

Shelly in Grosse Pointe Woods

Dear Shelly,

This is only speculation, but it could be that you have a bite issue or serious crowding issue, and that is prompting you dentist to push for the braces first. If that is the case, he should have told you why he was making that recommendation. It is customary for a dentist to recommend either Invisalign or porcelain veneers, not both. It is also possible that he thinks the use of the Invisalign braces and a professional teeth whitening will yield the results you want without placing porcelain veneers. Again, if this is what he was thinking, he should have communicated it with you.

In this case, I would recommend a second opinion. Don’t tell the dentist what your current dentist said, and see if he recommends a similar course of treatment.

If you do decided to go with porcelain veneers, make very sure your dentist is an expert cosmetic dentist before you have him do the work. Check his work though his website, or ask to see before and after pictures of his porcelain veneer clients.

Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

What is faster than braces?

I am getting married a year from now, and searching for “The Dress” was an eye-opening experience, and not in a good way. After a while, all I could see in the mirror was my crooked, crowded teeth! I really want to look and feel my best for my wedding day. I had a consultation with an orthodontist, and she told me that straightening my teeth with braces will take at least two years. I don’t have that kind of time! Is there a faster way to have a really beautiful smile for my wedding day?
–Kimberly in Bangor, ME

Dear Kimberly,

If you have crowded, crooked teeth, there are a couple of different ways you CAN have a beautiful smile in just a few months, but only if you consult the right professional. You need to talk to an expert cosmetic dentist, not an orthodontist. An expert cosmetic dentist (especially one accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) will be able to offer you options that a traditionally trained orthodontist is not qualified to provide.

Invisalign braces can straighten your teeth in six to nine months, depending on the degree of crowding. Extremely crowded teeth might take a little longer, but treatment with Invisalign braces rarely takes more than a year. An added bonus to using Invisalign is that even if your treatment is not completely finished by the day of your wedding, the aligner can simply be removed for the big day and pictures. If your teeth are otherwise intact and attractive, Invisalign might be the way to go.

An even faster option is to go with porcelain veneers, but here especially you must be very careful about choosing the right dentist. Many dentists have the technical skill to place the veneers, but they lack the artistic sense to make your smile truly beautiful and natural. If your teeth are discolored or misshapen, porcelain veneers can give you a really gorgeous wedding day smile quite quickly.

The bottom line is that you really should have the advice of an expert cosmetic dentist that has experience with both treatment types before you make any decisions. Choose your dentist very carefully, and then you know you can count on their advice to be sound.

Good luck, and congratulations on your wedding.