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Nowadays, Invisalign is as common as traditional braces. When you go to the orthodontist, chances are you’ll be shown multiple treatment options from Invisalign clear aligners to the traditional bracket-and-wire braces that come to mind when you hear the word orthodontist. But how exactly does Invisalign even work? Is a completely invisible treatment where you can eat whatever you want too good to be true? Not at all! Discover more about Invisalign from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics.

What is an Invisalign Aligner?

Invisalign aligners are clear plastic trays customized to fit each patient. Through cutting-edge 3D printing and imaging technology, Invisalign and your orthodontist craft a step-by-step process to adjust your teeth to make the perfect smile. The iTero system is used to digitally image your teeth. Taking 6,000 pictures per second, iTero gives your orthodontist a 3D picture that accurately represents your mouth, with no sticky and uncomfortable impressions needed.

Aligners are made from a meticulously researched and tested thermoplastic. This flexible and strong material allows for seamless comfort in the aligner’s fit and specified treatment. Aligners are 3D printed and modeled to each patient’s teeth, gums, and jaw individually. The thermoplastic SmartTrack material Invisalign is crafted from allows your treatment to be customized and completely invisible! 

Invisalign Treatment Breakdown

Invisalign treatment begins with a consultation from your Invisalign-trained orthodontist. They will create a customized step-by-step treatment plan for you to follow. You’ll switch sets of aligners every one to two weeks and see the results of gradual change soon after you begin.

During treatment, you’ll see your orthodontists regularly. Their expertise ensures you are getting the best possible care throughout the process. There are numerous benefits to straightening your smile with Invisalign. Of course, Invisalign is very discreet. Because aligners are clear, Invisalign is hard to see in your mouth. Invisalign is also removable, which means your brushing and flossing habits don’t have to change. It also means none of the foods your friends complain about not being able to eat are off limits! Invisalign has none of the food-based restrictions of traditional braces.

What is SmartForce?

All treatment plans with Invisalign include SmartForce. SmartForce attachments are small tooth-colored handles for aligners to rest on. They are still almost unnoticeable and are what allows Invisalign to accomplish complex tooth movement without traditional braces. SmartForce essentially gives aligners guidance to ensure the correct amount of force is applied in the correct direction during treatment. 

 

What Can Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign can help with most orthodontic issues, but the most common are overbites, underbites, crossbites, crowding, gap teeth, and general straightening. As a top 1% Invisalign provider, our orthodontists are highly qualified to recommend and explain the best course of treatment for you and your mouth!

Can Kids Get Invisalign?

Invisalign isn’t just for adult orthodontics! Kids and teens can also be Invisalign candidates. Invisalign Teen is an Invisalign treatment for teenagers specifically. Invisalign can be used to effectively treat a mixture of baby teeth and adult teeth in a mouth and address those issues. Its discreet and comfortable nature makes it ideal for teen treatment as well! 

The first week with new braces can be tough. You may experience some pain and discomfort as your teeth and mouth adjust to the new hardware. It’s important to take it easy and give yourself time to adjust. Here are a few tips from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics, to get you through the first week with braces:

How Long Do Braces Hurt?

The good news is that any pain you feel isn’t from your braces themselves. Essentially, when your teeth move around, you’ll experience some mild soreness that will soon go away. Getting braces, tightening, and adjustments typically trigger soreness and any pain, but these feelings shouldn’t last longer than a day or two. One easy way to help with these is to take pain relievers right before heading to the orthodontist. This way, they’ll kick in right as any soreness begins.   

Eating with Braces

The first week with braces means sensitive teeth and gums, so we recommend soft foods and drinks for the first few days. Avoid hard and crunchy foods. Stick to foods that are easy to chew.

• Oatmeal
• Scrambled Eggs
• Yogurt
• Fruit Smoothies
• Soft Fruits (Bite-Size!)
• Guacamole
• Hummus
• Tofu
• Noodles
• Soft Bread
• Soft Cheeses
• Applesauce
• Grits
• Couscous
• Rice
• Pancakes

Most of all, be patient. It may take a little time to get used to your new braces, but eventually you’ll adjust and be able to eat and speak normally.  

 

What to Expect When Getting Braces

We get lots of questions about the process of getting braces and how to get started. Here are some of the FAQs patients have, but if you have a specific question you don’t see the answer to, please call the office, we’re always happy to help.

How to get braces? 

It’s easy and quick to call up our office and schedule a free consultation! After an evaluation, the orthodontist will present a treatment plan and timeline customized to your case.

How long does it take to get braces?

The time it takes to get braces depends on a case-by-case evaluation by an experienced and expert orthodontist. An appointment where braces are installed typically takes about an hour.

Who can get braces?

Anybody can get braces. Early treatment and adult treatment are also possibilities, so whenever you decide to improve your smile, we’re here to help! The youngest age we typically see patients is seven, and many patients see an orthodontist beginning in grade school. Not only is a straight smile a confidence booster, but it can also vastly improve your health. Orthodontics is beneficial to jaw and gum health, and even can lower the risk of disease in other areas of the body. 

Different Types of Braces

There are many different types of braces that can be used to correct dental problems. The most common type of braces is metal braces, which are made of stainless steel or titanium. Clear ceramic braces are made of a material that is less visible than metal braces. Lingual braces are also a great discreet option where brackets are placed on the back of the teeth instead of the front. Invisalign braces are made of clear plastic and are virtually invisible. They are also removable, which makes them more comfortable to wear and easier to keep clean. 

If your orthodontist mentioned words like doors or clips when describing your orthodontic treatment timeline, you probably have some questions about self-ligating braces. Self-ligating braces are an excellent alternative offered to traditional braces. These braces were invented by Dwight Damon, and have numerous benefits including less pressure, more unrestrained movement, and a beautiful smile at the end of treatment. Keep reading to unlock a wealth of knowledge about self-ligating braces from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics.

 

Self-Ligating Braces FAQs

• What is Ligation?
• What’s the Difference Between Active and Passive Ligation?
• What are Appointments Like?
• What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Self-Ligating Braces?

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Many patients and parents are surprised to learn about the benefits of orthodontic treatment extending beyond teeth. Orthodontics is not only a way to straighten teeth and adjust your bite. Your orthodontist’s skills can also identify other illnesses, work hand in hand with other treatments administered by your general doctor and adjust your whole facial appearance. In this post, Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics provide valuable insights on how orthodontics fits into the treatment of respiratory disorders.

 Your orthodontist may deal with two common ailments: asthma and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is the subject of numerous in-depth studies and research in the orthodontic field.

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How often do I need to wear my Invisalign? Adjust my expander? Wear rubber bands, retainers, or mouthguards? These questions and more are some of our most asked questions during treatment. The short answer is that if you wear these appliances and are diligent with your oral health, your treatment will progress easier. Your compliance and the length of time you wear braces or have aligners are directly related. Keep reading to learn more about the Importance of Compliance During Orthodontic Treatment from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Thomais Ioannou, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics 

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When you think about pregnancy, you probably don’t think about your teeth. Though it’s not something widely known and talked about, your oral health is very important for a healthy pregnancy – for both mother and child. Being pregnant changes chemical compositions throughout your body and results in changes in vitamin and mineral levels. You may recognize this problem from common warnings about prenatal vitamins and diet. But it’s also a very real concern for dental health. Keep reading to learn more about how pregnancy affects your oral health from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Thomais Ioannou, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics 

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Getting braces, or any orthodontic appliance is a daunting life change. At the end of your appointment or evaluation, your orthodontists, such as the experienced team at Greater Houston Orthodontics, including Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Thomais Ioannou, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas, will ask you if you have any questions, and as a new patient, it’s sometimes hard to know what exactly you should be asking or what you’ll need to know as you navigate your new braces. Here are five questions you’ll need to know the answers to for a smooth orthodontic experience.

 

Five Essential Questions for Your Orthodontist:

1. Can you describe my treatment plan?
2. What are my options for treatment?
3. What is this appliance doing? This adjustment?
4. How should I care for my new appliance?
5. Do I need to make any lifestyle changes now that I have this appliance?

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If you’re a reader of our blog, you know that orthodontic treatment benefits our patients in many ways that may not be immediately obvious. Most people who seek orthodontic treatment focus on a crooked bite, crowded teeth, or a smile they are generally unhappy with. While we certainly love giving every one of our patients a smile they can’t wait to show off, there are other benefits to treating any issues with the bite. 

One of those benefits is helping to solve issues a patient may have with their speech. Speech impairment is relatively common among children, and we see it frequently. Luckily, some simple orthodontic treatments can alter the anatomy and positioning of the tongue within the mouth, and these simple tweaks can make speech much easier and improve impaired speech. To learn more about how orthodontics can effectively address speech impediments, keep reading and find out how Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, Dr. Thomais Ioannou, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics can help.

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