Local Orthodontic Santa Cruz, CA Dental Care for Orthodontic Cost

Invisalign Orthodontics

Ever wish that you could have teeth straightening done, without months of wearing those geeky metal braces? And wouldn't it be nice to get your crooked teeth straightened without anyone outside the family even knowing about it?

Believe it or not, there's a new way to straighten teeth with invisible braces. And your orthodontist can walk you through it!

The process is called Invisalign®, because it uses a series of nearly undetectable aligners instead of brackets and wires. Even up close it's really hard to see that you're wearing orthodontic appliances. So now you can have the smile you've always wanted…without the dental braces you've always avoided.

Invisalign can be just as effective as wire braces. Treatment takes about the same amount of time but is far more comfortable! And because Invisalign is removable, you'll have no problem eating, brushing or flossing.

Here's how it works: an examination is done to determine if Invisalign is right for you. If things look promising, photographs and X-rays are taken and an impression of your teeth is made. Then they are submitted to an Invisalign specialist. The specialist, after verifying that Invisalign will work for you, creates a treatment plan.

A smile of straight teeth starts with a phone call to your orthodontist's office. Why not do it today and find out how an Invisalign smile could change your life!

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Getting Braces: When's the Best Time?

One of the questions orthodontists are most frequently asked is, "When should my child first be examined for braces?" There is not one right answer to this question. The best starting time for orthodontic appliances depends on the type of problem and its severity. Many orthodontists recommend that every child have an orthodontic evaluation at the time their permanent teeth are starting to erupt.

The timing of orthodontics treatment is important. Early examination allows an orthodontist to identify problems and determine when to treat them, for the best results with the least time and expense. For many patients, early treatment achieves results that may be impossible to attain once the face and jaws have completed their growth. In addition, early intervention makes the completion of treatment at a later age easier.

If no treatment is indicated at the initial examination, your orthodontist may simply want to check your child periodically while the permanent teeth erupt and the face and jaws continue to grow. At the initial exam the following will be evaluated: your child's facial growth (amount and direction), excess spacing between teeth, crowding, crooked teeth, extra or missing teeth, and habits that may affect growth and dental development such as tongue thrusting and thumb-sucking. These problems affect not only tooth alignment but facial appearance.

Finally, the importance of an attractive smile should not be underestimated no matter what your age. A pleasing appearance is a vital asset to one's self-confidence. A person's self-esteem often improves as treatment brings teeth, lips, and face into harmony, in this way, teeth straightening can be beneficial to social and career success and improve one's general attitude toward life.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.