A true comparison – traditional braces versus Invisalign braces.  Which of the two choices is more cost effective, and, which type truly looks better?  The article below, from fastpitchnetworking.com, will explain which route is best.  They also take into account maintenance, and results.  Read more…

Original Source: Fast Pitch

LITHIA, FL — Just by looking at the two, one can make several comparisons between traditional braces and Invisalign. But, can you judge them by their covers, or is there more to the story than the eye can tell?

“There are many ways to compare Invisalign and braces,” said Lithia Invisalign orthodontist Dr. Michael Hess. “From an orthodontist’s perspective, both treatments are fine, but when it comes to patients, there are all sorts of preferences that come into play. What I’ve seen my patients most concerned with are costs, esthetics, treatment, results, and maintenance.”

Costs

Braces and Invisalign are comparatively close when it comes to price tags. According to BracesInfo.com, braces can cost anywhere from $5,400 to $7,700 for basic braces. Costs vary depending on upgrades such as choosing invisible braces over traditional braces or other enhancements. These are enamel-colored braces that are more esthetically pleasing and more concealable.

Inivisalign.com quotes a price range averaging $5,000 but going as low as $3,500 for its product. However, in some cases Invisalign may require patients to use braces for a few months, which will of course add expenses.

Esthetics

The “look” of orthodontics is one of the biggest discussions going on in the field. Invisalign developed a treatment that is virtually unrecognizable to the public, where braces are easily identifiable.

Braces have come a long way from Frankenstein-like headgear comments Dr. Hess. “Braces don’t look like torture devices anymore, and believe it or not there are methods that conceal braces.”

iBraces are a system that place braces on the backside of teeth rather than the front. These are highly concealed, but may cause some irregularities to speech. Also, there are invisible braces commented Dr. Hess, a Lithia invisible braces provider.

Invisalign are clear plastic aligners that snap over the teeth. These aren’t noticeable, but can become awkward in public while dining. Patients can not eat with Invisalign on, as it damages the aligners notes Dr. Hess.

“Traditional braces may be openly visible, but that takes away most embarrassing surprises,” said Dr. Hess, a Lithia orthodontist. “On the other hand, removing Invisalign trays during meals can be embarrassing. Saliva trapped under the aligners sometimes dangles off the teeth when removing them. So, it’s either face braces on the teeth all the time or be ready to excuse yourself for taking out your Invisalign when it’s time to eat. Either can be awkward, but the end justifies the means.”

Maintenance

In order to keep Invisalign and braces clean and in working order, users need to respect and responsibly maintain their orthodontic equipment comments Dr. Hess.

“Parents need to know their children in choosing the right orthodontic method,” said Dr. Hess. “And if it’s an adult seeking treatment, he or she needs to be judicious and responsible.”

Invisalign can build up bacteria and plaque on the inside of the aligners and on the outside as well. Also, when not cleaned regularly, Invisalign trays can become odorous. To avoid these problems, Invisalign sells a cleaning solution.

“It is vitally important to clean Invisalign trays,” said Dr. Hess, a Lithia, FL Invisalign expert. “If patients don’t want to spring for the Invisalign cleaning products, they can use Polident or other denture cleaning products. They’re accessible and cheap in most cases, but nonetheless it is critical to keep bacteria from building up on the trays.”

Braces can collect plaque and bacteria around the brackets and wires just as Invisalign can collect bacteria on the trays. Brushing around braces and using mouthwash regularly is highly important in keeping good status with oral hygiene. Braces patients with poor hygiene habits can easily develop cases of tooth decay around the base of the brackets adds Dr. Hess, a Lithia Orthodontics expert.

Also, Invisalign are delicate plastic trays that can be easily cracked, eroded, or even lost. And while braces are fastened to the teeth, so they can’t be lost, sometimes the metal wires snap or brackets slide. To counter this, patients need to be careful in what they eat and do.

“Invisalign can be a tough choice for adolescent patients as they can so easily lose or break their trays due to their lack of responsibility,” said Dr. Hess, a Lithia braces provider. “But, if that same teen eats certain candy or even hard food like apples, he or she can move their braces, which lengthens treatment time.”

Results

This may be the easiest point of comparison between braces and Invisalign. Though Invisalign technology has not come far enough to treat advanced or serious cases of misaligned teeth, both braces and Invisalign provide the same quality in tooth correction for intermediate tooth misalignments and have just about the same treatment times. Depending on the level of care, treatment can take anywhere from six months to two years.

Braces are the only option for more severe cases of tooth misalignments, but patients can switch over to Invisalign after a certain level of progress has been made comments Dr. Hess.

“Advances in the field have decreased treatment time and have maximized results,” said Dr. Hess. “Using digital images and computer imagery, orthodontists can provide images of what orthodontics can provide for patients and how long the treatment would take. This provides patients with a feeling of excitement and anticipation for their new smile, and orthodontists know in advance what the patient wants out of treatment. Combine this technology with improvements to braces technology and Invisalign, and the future is looking bright for orthodontics.”

Here is an interesting article on the prospect of teeth alignment through invisible alternatives.  Read below.

Original Source: DentalPlans.com

Having crooked teeth can make many people feel insecure about their smile, but dental care options such as braces are often ignored by adults because of how they make mouths look.

Many adults are afraid they would feel self-conscious if they got braces and decide to settle for having crowded teeth instead. What these men and women may not realize is that other orthodontic options exist, such as teeth aligners.

“Many adults consider metal braces unsightly,” said Dr Athanasius Morcos, a dentist in Florida. Dr Morcos claims teeth aligners are a virtually invisible alternative.

Most teeth aligners are made of clear, flexible plastic. They resemble mouthguards but are much more difficult to spot, as they are custom-molded. Like traditional orthodontic braces, teeth aligners gradually shift teeth so they aren’t pushed up against one another. One advantage offered by teeth aligners is that they’re removable, so they don’t have to be worn while sitting for a job interview or going out on a date.

The American Dental Association says that having straight teeth improves one’s smile and has health implications too. Crooked teeth are harder to clean, and plaque buildup can lead to tooth decay.

In yet another article on Halloween candy and its effects on different types of braces, United Press International reports that emergency orthodontist visits will be on the rise.  While the prices of braces may vary, all orthodontic braces are created equal when it comes to defending against sticky holiday treats.

What do orthodontic care and Halloween candy have in common?  Not too much.  However, Candy can damage orthodontic braces, and dothaneagle.com reports that an orthodontic practice will offer to buyback Halloween treats.  Does the cost of candy have a relation to the cost of braces?  Read the article:

Crowder Orthodontics will buy back the candy that young trick-or-treaters collect this year for Halloween.

Candy may be brought to Crowder Orthodontics at 206 Executive Park Drive on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1:30-4 p.m. Crowder Orthodontics will pay $1 for each pound of Halloween treats collected with a 5-pound maximum. All collected candy will be given to the Wiregrass Food Bank. In addition, Crowder Orthodontics will donate $1 for each pound collected to the Dothan Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Dothan and The Wiregrass Food Bank.

The event is open to all.

During October, which is National Orthodontic Health Month, members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) are conducting a wide range of activities to educate the public and their patients about protecting their teeth during Halloween, and share information about the benefits of orthodontic treatment. National Orthodontic Health Month has been observed since 1995.

For more information on the candy buy-back, contact Crowder Orthodontics at 334-792-5124 or visit their Web site at http://www.crowderortho.com.

An article taken from the Los Angeles Orthodontics Blog reports that CA orthodontists are now making invisible, removable aligners available to patients.  Talk about convenient and discreet, huh?  A good alternative to adult braces.  The full story here:

September 7, 2009— LOS ANGELES, SANTA MONICA AND BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA — The Santa Monica, CA orthodontics practice of Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen added a new type of removable braces in August to its list of appliances available to patients.

Nikaeen, a Santa Monica, CA orthodontist, now offers invisible removable aligners made by TP Orthodontics.

These aligners are more affordable than Invisalign invisible braces and are designed for less serious cases, such as minor anterior crowding or spacing, said the Santa Monica braces specialist. TP Orthodontics Laboratory Services manufactures a series of aligners and patients wear each aligner for a couple of weeks before graduating to the next, until treatment is completed.“These aligners are ideal for people who don’t have bite problems and would like to use aesthetic aligners to align their teeth,” Nikaeen said. “They can be removed when eating, for special occasions and for dental hygiene.”

Although Nikaeen has been an Invisalign provider for years, she said that TP Orthodontics’ price point would make them an attractive option to patients with mild orthodontic problems.

“They aren’t ideal for everyone, but for those who are deemed candidates, I strongly believe they will be as happy with the price as they will be with their teeth once treatment is completed,” Santa Monica, CA orthodontist said.

TP Orthodontics is a company that has specialized in orthodontic technology for more than 60 years, according to its Web site. The company’s laboratory combines technical support and clinical experience to create its products. It is the first laboratory to create orthodontic positioners, which is the idea behind the clear aligner therapy.