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Congratulations! You’ve bid farewell to braces, and your radiant smile is beaming at everyone and everything in sight. But before you throw a victory parade for your new grin, remember to cherish your retainers to preserve those perfect teeth. Keep reading to learn more on how to protect your retainers from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas  at Greater Houston Orthodontics 

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Are your teeth supposed to move around? The answer is no. Teeth shifting is natural during orthodontic treatment, but after treatment or if there hasn’t ever been an orthodontic device installed, teeth movement is not a good sign. Tooth movement can cause several dental issues, including decay, gum disease, and misalignment of teeth, which can necessitate additional orthodontic treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the causes, consequences, and prevention of teeth shifting. Keep reading to learn more about why teeth shifting is a cause for concern and how to prevent it from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics.Read More

If you’re considering Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you might be wondering if you can get it without seeing an orthodontist. While some companies offer mail-in orthodontic services, it’s important to choose a licensed orthodontist for your treatment. Keep reading to learn more from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics about the benefits of getting Invisalign Treatment from an Orthodontist.

 

Expertise and Training

Orthodontists are highly trained professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating issues with teeth and jaws. They have completed dental school, a specialized master’s program, and a residency in orthodontics. They also participate in ongoing education to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and technologies.

In contrast, mail-in orthodontic companies may lack the same level of expertise and training. While they may use technology to create clear aligners, they may not have the knowledge to diagnose underlying issues with your bite or teeth.Read More

You’ve probably heard others complain about putty impressions at the orthodontist as recently as five years ago. These impressions were notorious for triggering gag reflexes and leaving a horrible, lasting taste. Fortunately, putty impressions are now a thing of the past. Today, orthodontists have access to high-tech digital impression machinery, which has drastically changed the experience of getting impressions taken. If you’re curious about how digital impressions have transformed orthodontic treatment, Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics can provide valuable insights.

 

What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Digital Impressions?

So, the obvious difference here is that one of these methods involves putting a chemical-tasting goop into the patient’s mouth and holding it there for minutes on end, often having the patient sit still. This impairs breathing, and movement, and can trigger gag reflexes and mild choking. 

The traditional dental impression has some constraints. It must deal with moisture well, so typically consideration for water-friendly versus water-repellent is important on a case-by-case basis. The material must also remain stable after the chemical reaction which sets the impression in the mouth. These basic requirements for a safe and effective impression lead to uncomfortable consistencies and taste. Most polymers used for traditional impressions are hydrophilic polyether, vinyl polysiloxane (VPS), and hybrid VPES. 

Digital impressions are completely computerized. There are no words that sound like a high school chemistry flashback, and they don’t impair breathing or cause gagging. The highly advanced camera technology allows for accuracy and speed that was previously impossible with chemical impression technology. 

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Innovation is at the forefront of the orthodontic industry, constantly driving change and growth. New technologies and practices are emerging all the time, so it’s essential to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in orthodontics to ensure you’re receiving the best possible care. If you’re interested in staying informed about the most recent advancements in orthodontics, you’ll find valuable insights from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics.

 

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners like Invisalign have been a game-changer in orthodontics. They offer patients an alternative to traditional braces that is comfortable, discreet, and effective. Invisalign uses cutting-edge 3D technology and digital imaging software to create aligners that are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, making treatment more accurate and efficient.

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Vitamins and minerals are essential for your health. But vitamins are not just good for keeping your energy up or gut health; they are also integral to good oral health. Your teeth are bones, just like those that make up your arms and legs, and therefore require the same support as the bones in the rest of your body.

 

Vitamins are essentially an all-around preventative measure for common oral health issues. Improving your mouth’s health every day with vitamins is a proactive way to ensure a pain-free, healthy dental experience. Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics recommend these vitamins to promote tooth health, strengthen your enamel, and support jaw health.

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Traveling can be a stressful undertaking, especially in the post-COVID age. Some people forget to consider how to best travel with their Invisalign and run into some tough situations as a result. 

When you’re in a new place, far from your orthodontist’s office, and stopping at so many different places, it’s easy to remove your aligners and leave them behind. Here are some tips from Dr. Amir Davoody, Dr. Rana Mehr, and Dr. Panagiotis Kyteas at Greater Houston Orthodontics for traveling with your Invisalign, to make sure you don’t have to take time out of your vacation for an orthodontic emergency!

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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!