Dr. Cara begins her Invsialign Treatment!

When the Dentist is the Invisalign Patient

I, Dr. Cara, have decided to do Invisalign!

Dr. Cara before she got braces the first time

I’m sure most would say my teeth look great, but part of the job description of a dentist is to be picky.  I had braces twice as a child. I was the first one in my fifth grade class to get braces, which I certainly needed – my teeth entered the room before I did (here I am right before I got braces). Even though I was meticulous about wearing my retainers, I needed a second round of braces in high school. I remember crying the entire time Dr. Boisvert cemented the brackets back onto my teeth. I will admit I mysteriously lost my retainers during my college years, and I only noticed that my teeth had begun to move once I was in dental school and took impressions of my own teeth. Seeing my own dental models spurred me to have retainers made to keep my teeth from further relapsing.

Dr. Cara's Invisalign ClinCheck

Through the years the rotations of my maxillary (top) lateral incisors have always bothered me, as has my one bottom tooth that is not lined up. I thought about doing Invisalign, but did not want to pay the fee for a full treatment to just correct a few minor issues (that’s right! dentists have to pay too!). So, when Invisalign announced Express 5 treatment, I decided to give it a try. Express 5 is meant for patients who only need to correct a few minor issues which can be done using 5 or less aligners (each aligner, which you wear for 2 weeks, moves your teeth a small amount; you then switch to the next aligner which you wear for 2 weeks and so on until everything is straight and aligned). Since the number of aligners is less, so is the cost of treatment. Here is my Invisalign ClinCheck which shows you my teeth before and the projected end result. Circled are the teeth that will be moving.

Dr. Cara doing her own dentistry

This was the perfect opportunity for me to finally perfect my smile. The added benefit was that I could experience Invisalign for myself so as to better relate to my patients who have and will go through the treatment. My team was only so happy to subject me to the Invisalign records of dental impressions and photos. It turns out I’m a better dentist than patient. Prior to delivery of the first aligners, Dr. William Lund needed to put an Invisalign button on one tooth. Buttons are white filling attachments on teeth which allow the aligners to grip onto a more challenging tooth to move it more efficiently (they are buffed off once treatment is completed). I kept interrupting and laughing which was testing Dr. William’s patience which is hard to do. I elected to do the interproximal reduction (IPR) myself – this is when you use strips of thin sandpaper to create small spaces between teeth to allow them to move. Doing dentistry on yourself is interesting to say the least. After the buttons and IPR were done, I popped in the aligners and was on my way.

My first impressions of wearing the aligners are:

1. You can hardly see them at all - my husband didn't even notice.
2. It's a little strange having the plastic on your teeth, but you get used to it quickly.
3. You lisp slightly at first - within one day my speech was almost back to normal, and patients did not notice.
4. Taking the aligners in and out is easy - it's great being able to brush my teeth and eat normally.
5. Invisalign is nowhere as annoying as traditional braces which ache and cut up your lips and tongue - there was one area on the bottom aligner I needed to smooth out where a rough edge was cutting my tongue.
6. The button on my front tooth is hardly noticeable - it is aggravating my lip slightly, but I expect that to subside.
7. My snacking has decreased since it is a nuisance to take the aligners out to eat.

Dr. Cara with her aligners in

I’ll report back to how I’m doing in a few days!
Dr. Cara

Brush 2min2x

Help your kids brush their teeth 2min2x – 2 minutes each time, 2 times a day – for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems. The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives recommends that you help or watch over your kids’ brushing until they’re 8. Children 2 or older should always use a fluoride toothpaste.

The Right Toothbrush

• Kids should use a soft toothbrush.  The size and shape of the brush should allow them to reach all areas of their mouth.
• Replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months, sooner if the bristles are worn out or if your children have been sick.

Attack Plaque!

• Plaque is a sticky film of germs that forms on teeth and gums after eating. Plaque that’s not removed by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can lead to cavities.

Tooth To-Dos

• Encourage your kids to brush with fluoride toothpaste.
• Use a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste for kids ages 2-6, and use slightly more when they’re older.
• Teach them to spit out the toothpaste when they’re done so they don’t swallow it.
• For kids under age 2, just use a soft toothbrush and a little water; no toothpaste is necessary.
• Help your kids place the toothbrush at an angle against their gums.
• Make sure they move the brush back and forth, gently, in short strokes.
• Help them brush the front, back, and top of teeth.
• Teach them to brush their tongue to remove germs and freshen breath.

Reference: www.2min2x.org/kids-healthy-mouths

When Was Your Last Dental Cleaning?

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car’s oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, check with our office to schedule an appointment!

Happy 4th of July!

Now that the 4th of July and summer are here, we know you all are starting to make big plans for vacations and trips! The summer months can be a busy time for a lot of our patients, and we know how hectic your lives can be! Just be sure to remember keep up with your dental health care and your appointments with our practice!

During the summer, there are also a lot of foods and beverages that we all love to enjoy, but often these treats can damage our teeth. Sugary foods and drinks can be harmful to your dental health, so stay diligent by brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once!

We look forward to hearing all about your plans for the summer, and be sure to take lots of pictures that you can share with us on Facebook! Stay safe, have fun, and brush and floss your teeth!