It is tough to think there used to be a time when yucky braces of metal, along with weird headgear, was the only way to get children’s and adult’s teeth straight. Fortunately, there are now more convenient and happier methods to get it done in 2017! Modern dental technicians today can offer transparent and nearly invisible retainers to boost a smile for that upcoming summer vacation photo album. Orthodontist Dr. Celenza is one of the premier practitioners of this pioneering dental procedure, working out of his Invisalign office in Westchester County, state of New York.
The National Center for Health Statistics says that only 83 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 17 visited the dentist last year — and out of that number nearly half were diagnosed as needing some kind of teeth straightening. But figures show that many of those so diagnosed did not get the work done because of fear of the disfiguring effects of the old metal braces they thought they would have to wear. That is one reason why Invisalign is such a growing trend among dentists and dental technicians not just in the United States, but in Canada, Mexico, and worldwide as well.
Here’s how Invisalign works. The patient begins with a liner set that will be examined and possibly replaced every other week, as determined by an Invisalign expert who is specially trained in the proper installation and maintenance technique. Each set of Invisalign caps is practically invisible; you have to be really looking in a person’s mouth to ever spot them. These cap sets gradually reposition the misaligned teeth in the direction the orthodontist deems best for oral health and good looks. The discomfort level using this technique is practically nil. That’s because it usually involves the gentle reposition of just one or two teeth at a time, no more. The process is so gradual that most patients never feel any pain and very little discomfort or soon even forget to feel the least bit self-conscious. Any slight feeling of pressure on the teeth will not interfere with speech or eating — it only means the cap sets are doing their job. Each new liner will bring your teeth that much closer to true alignment until you can’t stop revealing your dazzling smile to one and all. Each Invisalign plan is customized for one patient only, and the amount of time you’ll need to wear your cap sets will depend on your orthodontist’s diagnosis. But almost no one ever has to wear them for more than a year.
Retainers can be removed for heavy meals and for brushing and flossing. They only need to be in about 20 hours each day, when necessary. Of course consistent oral hygiene is a must, to keep food particles from getting under the caps and causing discomfort and/or halitosis. Chewing any kind of gum is highly discouraged — it can loosen the retainers. The retainers themselves will need to be lightly brushed and then rinsed on a regular basis.
Dr. Celenza is one of those who have been specially trained in the Invisalign process, and knows it forwards and backwards. You are invited to make an appointment for a consultation at any time. You will even be able to see a computer simulation of what your smile will be like when the process is complete!
Photo by Dr. Alper, DMD, Cosmetic Dentist 