Posts

Invisalign

Everyone knows about braces, a instrument used to straighten teeth out, but have you heard about Invisalign aligners? Instead of brackets and wires, you have a clear, removable aligner that does the same job as braces. Without the wires, the brackets, the struggle of cleaning between and under each wire. It’s just as effective as metal braces, and most clients get the same results! Does it sound too good to be true?

This is how it works.

Start with a consultation session with your friendly neighborhood orthodontist

It’s important to go to a professional to have a look inside. Shifting teeth around can change your facial features and your overall look, so, for these reasons, it is important to go to a professional. The orthodontist will also assess your situation for any complexity that may need to be taken into consideration during the process. Don’t let your opinion of your teeth stop you for going in to for a consultation. What may look complex to you may really be very doable. Invisalign works for a wide range of clients with simple to complex cases.
(“Invisalign vs. Braces | Invisalign”, 2019)

Digital Imaging

Call me nerdy, but I think this is so cool! With technology now (iTero Element scanner) you’re able to see what your smile or teeth will look like before you’ve even started. Another software will then make a road map to your new smile! It’ll take in the complexity of your misaligned teeth and map out the most effective way to straighten them.
(“Invisalign vs. Braces | Invisalign”, 2019)

Aligners

This stage is when the custom-made aligners are made. By the time you have the aligners, the clinic would have placed little clear/white nubs on certain teeth in your mouth to snap the aligners in place. You’ll get a series of aligners, and will be told to wear them as long as possible every day. That would be when you sleep, anytime you aren’t eating, and so on. The aligner will do its’ job and straighten your teeth until you need to wear the next aligner(normally every two weeks), and so on. ”
(“Invisalign vs. Braces | Invisalign”, 2019)

Time

I can’t say for sure that you’re care will take “x” amount of time as it differs case to case. The entire treatment is usually 12 months, however, it can be shorter or longer depending on how misaligned your teeth are and how compliant you are with wearing the aligners each day.
(“Invisalign vs. Braces | Invisalign”, 2019)

FAQ

Braces or Invisalign?

Braces are glued to your teeth. You won’t have to think about being compliant because they aren’t being popped in and out of your mouth. You will get 4-6 aligners at adjusting appointments and you will have to wear them for 22 hours a day. Slow incremental tooth movements are built into each aligner and that is how your teeth straighten. It’s really all about what you think is best for you.
(“Braces vs. Invisalign”, 2017)

Does it take longer than braces?

They are relatively the same length.
(“Braces vs. Invisalign”, 2017)

Does it hurt?

You’re moving your teeth around in both scenarios, and that act alone will cause dull pain. So either appliance causes this, however, clients who choose Invisalign do not experience irritation from the metal brackets or pokey wires.
(“Braces vs. Invisalign”, 2017)

How do braces and Invisalign compare in cost?

Normally Invisalign is slightly more costly than braces. The material used, and process to custom make the aligners is considerably more expensive than braces.
(“Braces vs. Invisalign”, 2017)

Yours truly,

Sarah A.M

References

Braces vs. Invisalign. (2017). Retrieved from https://leberortho.com/tucson-orthodontic-services/braces-vs-invisalign https://www.invisalign.ca/

Invisalign vs. Braces | Invisalign. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.invisalign.ca/the-invisalign-difference

Loupes – Orascoptics

The name alone sounds interesting let alone what it is. The work of a dental hygienist is a lot more labor than one would first think. I mean, how bad can it be? We’re just sitting for 8-ish hours a day. It’s a lot more tiring than that, we aren’t just sitting, we’re leaning over and sometimes bending in ways we shouldn’t in order to see in the mouth. Doing this five times a week for eight hours can put some major concerns on your head, neck, back, and shoulders. There have been many hygienists that had to stop working early due to the straining of being in such positions.

So, is there a solution for the early back and neck pain? There is actually, and they’re known as Loupes! Ever sat down in the dental chair, laid all the way down and see this staring back at you:

Ever wondered what’s it for, and if your mouth is that bad in need that a dental hygienist had to whip out those? Well, now you know they’re loupes, and companies like Orascoptic provide them, They’re the solution to our lower back and neck problems. Loupes are basically regular glasses, with an attached magnifying lens in the tube at the bottom of the glasses. This allows the wearer to see clearly into the mouth from a distance without being close to the client. Also, if the wearer wanted, they could get their own light that follows you around as you move your head, which is very convenient when you don’t have to fickle with the headlights of the dental chair.
(“Orascoptic”, 2019) (“Hygienists”, 2019)

However, to buy one isn’t as easy as going to the Optical and trying some glasses on and buying whichever one you like. Yes, there are many styles, different colors and materials you can pick from, but it requires more than just picking what you like. It requires a session with a specialist, to measure and find where your ‘sweet spot’ is when seated and working on a client. Calculations need to make made so the angle of the magnifying glass and light is correct so when used correctly and done right, a dental hygienist would be not bending over in weird positions and breaking their back to see inside the mouth.
(“Orascoptic”, 2019) (“Hygienists”, 2019)

The only downside to these is the pricing, they can range anywhere from $1600 for students to $4000+, granted they last a very long time.

(“Hygienists”, 2019)

But health is worth it. So now you know, next time you see a hygienist or dentist with these cool things, you’ll know exactly why.

Yours truly,

Sarah A.M

References

Hygienists. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.orascoptic.com/hygienists

Lupenbrille, Zahnarzt Owingen. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.zahnarztpraxis-vollrath.de/praxis/moderne-behandlungstechnik/lupenbrille

Orascoptic. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.orascoptic.com/