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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
