Imagining Your Life With Invisalign

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Tekin will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Bottled Water May Be Behind Tooth Troubles

We at Art of the Smile want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting Dr. Tekin regularly.

Meet Dr. Tekin

Dr. Brock F. Tekin is a native of Atlanta. He graduated from the Lovett School in 1987 and maintains close ties with many of his classmates. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University in 1991. Dr. Tekin completed his dental education at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1995, where he received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD).

Dr. Tekin continues to learn and keep up with the latest advances in the dental profession by maintaining membership in the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, the Northern District Dental Society, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the American Academy of General Dentistry.

When he's not at the office, Dr. Tekin loves spending time with his wife Melissa and children Chase, Lily, Hudson, and Jack. He enjoys the HBO show "Entourage", likes the music of U2, and is a connoisseur of good wines and beers.

6 (six) Month Speed Braces or Veneers?

BRACES OR VENEERS?

Dentistry now has more options then it used to when it comes to improving your smile. More and more people are becoming aware of this as television shows such as Extreme Makeover have educated the public about what dentists can do to improve your image.

Many of the complaints I often here about ones smile is, "I have crooked teeth", "I have spaces or gaps in my teeth", "I don't like my overbite", "I have bucky or beaver teeth" or "My smile is crooked." The list goes on.

Most of these cosmetic issues can be fixed with braces. Although veneers are a great option to fix most smile issues, orthodontics is always an alternative. In fact in many instances orthodontics or braces is the preferred method.

The benefits of braces are that treatment can be more conservative as well as less costly. The downside has always been the length of treatment. Typically comprehensive orthodontics can be 2 years or more. Because the goals of comprehensive orthodontics is to create an ideal bite and fix the back teeth, treatment can often be lengthy. If comprehensive orthodontics is the goal of treatment then we can also help. As a Licensed General Dentist we can often meet most of your dental needs.

At Aesthetic Smiles we are happy and excited to offer an alternative to those not wanting to go through lengthy orthodontic therapy. It's called our 6 (six) month speed braces. It is a way to create a beautiful smile in about 6 months without having to go through 2 years of braces or the expense of veneers. It consists of wearing tooth colored brackets on the teeth that show in your smile (THE SMILE ZONE). We use new wires with technology to quickly move the teeth in your smile. Before you know it you'll have straight teeth and a great smile.

Most of our patients choose this treatment because their goals are to have a better smile, in a short amount of time, at a reasonable cost, and with minimal intervention. Many of our patients comment on how most people did not even know they were wearing braces or that the 6 (six) months flew by so fast that it was over before they knew it.

Our 6 (six) month speed braces is a great alternative to veneers. Although veneers are the ultimate choice when it comes to making over a smile, 6 (six) month speed braces is quickly become a close second. People who have chipped, worn, discolored, or unhealthy teeth can benefit greatly from veneers. If you feel that you like your teeth but they just aren't in the right position then 6 (six) month speed braces may be right for you. Please contact us to see if you are a candidate for 6 (six) month speed braces.

Here is a short Video describing the technique.

visit the official site www.6monthsmiles.com

Here is an example of how our speed braces technique corrected a smile

Dr. Wade Pilling is a dentist in the Boise, Eagle, and Meridian Idaho area who focus's on General and Cosmetic Dentistry.