ClearCorrect aligner

Starting in 1998, Align Technology, Inc, was the first company to bring Invisalign removable, clear braces to dental consumers.  Recently, two newer companies, Simpli5 and ClearCorrect, have become available to patients as competition to Invisalign.  But are these two any better than industry leader Invisalign?  Today, we’ll look at the these two competitors to see if any are a better alternative to Invisalign. First let’s look at the basic idea of clear braces or aligners. In a nutshell, they are clear, plastic trays that fit over the teeth. The patient wears the aligners every day, all day except to eat, brush, and floss. A new set of aligners are exchanged approximately every two  weeks. Each tray moves the teeth a small amount until the final desired position is reached. The result is straight teeth without the hassle of traditional metal braces.

Invisalign

According to Invisalign’s website, as of 2009, over 1,000,000 patients worldwide have had their teeth straightened with Invisalign.  With over 10 years of experience, Invisalign is able to provide the dentist and patient a quality product.  But with experience comes a price.  Invisialign can be pricey (an average of $5,000 in the U.S.).  Also, dentists who provide Invisalign must have a minimum number of Invisalign cases per year and take continuing education classes through Invisialign.  If the dentist fails to do either, then they will be no long eligible to offer Invisalign to their patients. Note:  Just hours after I finshed writing this article, I received the following in my inbox: “Reversing a controversial policy put into effect last year, Align Technology announced today that, effective immediately, it will no longer require all dentists who want to be active Invisalign providers to start at least 10 Invisalign cases annually.”

Simpli5 vs ClearCorrect

From a patient’s viewpoint Simpli5 and ClearCorrect look the same and are used in the same way as all other aligners, however they differ in the way they are made and the types of cases they are meant to treat. Simpli5 was introduced in late 2006 and is made by AOA Orthodontic Laboratory. It is a system of five upper teeth and/or five lower teeth aligners.  Since each aligner typically moves teeth at the rate of 1/2 mm, a system with only five aligners (Invisalign typically has 20-30 aligners) would only be good for someone with minor crooked front teeth or for someone whose teeth have moved after previous orthodontic treatment. Simpli5 also differs in the way in which it is made. The Invisalign process includes molds of your teeth, digital x-rays, and photographs.  All of this information is used to create a 3-D image of your teeth using state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology. Then the 20 plus aligners are computer crafted to provide the incremental movement needed to straighten the teeth. With Simpli5, all that is required is a mold of the patient’s teeth.  This mold is sent to the AOA Laboratory where a technician makes the aligners directly from the mold including the incremental movements. The dentist has no say in how the teeth are to be moved. Because this process involves less high tech equipment than Invisalign, it may be less expensive. While this process may not be a bad one, it’s just not meant to straighten anything more than a few front teeth.

On the other hand, ClearCorrect is a four year old company created by a dentist with over 25 years of dental experience. Like Invisalign, ClearCorrect uses models, x-rays and photographs of the patient’s teeth to make a 3-D representation that is used to make a series of computer crafted aligners that are replaced every two weeks while slowly moving the teeth to their desired position.  According to ClearCorrect, their aligners can be used to treat a wide variety of orthodontic problems. ClearCorrect also offers training to dentists.  Unlike Invisalign, dentists can do as many or as few patients as they want (no longer an issue do to the updated Invisalign policy as mentioned previously).  ClearCorrect does not charge extra if the dentist wants to change the tooth movement in the middle of treatment, and their lab fees are lower than Invisalign.  The assumption is that this cost savings can be passed on to the patient in terms of the price they pay for their treatment. This seems like a win-win situation for both dentists and their patients, which makes ClearCorrect a definite and valuable alternative to Invisalign.

It used to be that kids got braces when they were in middle school or even high school.  Now it seems that children are starting orthodontics in elementary school.  Why the rush?  There have been studies that show that the sooner children start some kind of orthodontics, the more successful their treatment will be.  Although most orthodontic problems are best treated with traditional braces, some problems need to be treated as soon as they are noticed, no matter how young a child is. Because  children are rapidly growing,  their bones are relatively soft and always  changing.  At this stage, it is easy to guide the bone and teeth growth in children through orthodontics.  As every parent knows, their children grow faster at some ages than at others.  Therefore, orthodontists want to time their treatments for the ages when the child is mature enough to cooperate with treatment, and also when the bone is growing most rapidly.   The optimum age for beginning treatment depends upon what the orthodontist needs to correct, but the best age for evaluation for orthodontics is usually age 7 because that is the age when bone growth and  your child’s maturity tend to favor orthodontic treatment.  A major growth spurt also takes place at puberty, and orthodontists like to take advantage of this as well.  When the jaws and teeth are still growing it is much easier to move teeth and change the position and size of the jaw. Early orthodontic treatment is effective and desirable in certain situations.  Some of the problems which  require early orthodontic treatment include:

Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty in chewing or biting
Mouth breathing
Crowding or misplaced teeth
Jaws that shift, and/or make sounds
Speech difficulty
Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
Protruding teeth
Facial imbalance or asymmetry
Grinding or clenching of teeth
Finger sucking or other oral habits

Here are some pictures of teeth that  require early orthodontic treatment:

Click for full-size image

Starting orthodontic treatment early is important because it can:

Create room for crowded, erupting teeth
Create facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
Preserve space for unerupted teeth
Reduce the need for tooth removal
Reduce treatment time with braces

If you would like more information about early orthodontic treatment, the California Association of Orthodontists has a great brochure called Bite Down Early that you can view online or order a copy to be sent to your home.  With an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.

Are you fortunate enough to have a natural flawless smile with perfectly aligned teeth? Then consider yourself lucky! As for the rest of us, there can be many problems associated with your teeth not just from an aesthetic point of view, but from a functional standpoint as well.  The specialist known as the orthodontist works closely with the pediatric and general dentist and focuses on preventing and correcting dental problems.

Crowded teeth, protruding teeth, extra spacing between teeth, abnormal bite…there is a broad range of dental problems that impinge on many of us!  Some of these dental issues can result from genetic sources, such as inheritance of a small jaw or oral habits like sucking your thumb. Orthodontists are concerned with teeth that do not occlude or “close” properly as this impairs the function of teeth.  Many dental problems can result from the misalignment of teeth which will cause excess stress and force on surrounding teeth, gums, facial bones and jaw joints.  If gone untreated, the outcome may transpire into the deterioration of teeth, periodontal disease and eventually tooth loss.

Orthodontic treatment can eliminate some of the menacing dental issues stated above as well as increase the confidence in a patient by improving their smile.  The orthodontist will use a fixed or removable appliance which will utilize force and stimulation to straighten teeth.  Traditional braces are most commonly employed and there are various types used today from bands, brackets and arch wire to clear aligners like Invisalign. Treatment may be a few months to several years depending on the severity of misaligned teeth and compliance by the patient.  After orthodontic treatment is complete and the desired results are achieved, a permanent retainer (whether this is fixed or removable) is given to the patient to maintain their new dental alignment and prevent relapse.

Overall, straight teeth are easier to brush and floss and require less strain on your oral cavity.  Your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist if you have existing dental problems that require orthodontic care.  Additionally, you may browse DoctorBase.com for unbiased dentist reviews and contact an orthodontist for a consultation to attain the flawless smile you have always wanted.

Some of you might have heard the saying “tin grins are in”. This, of course, refers to a smile full of metal bands, brackets, and wires or in other words traditional braces. But what if you want straighter teeth without the anyone ever knowing? If this sounds perfect to you, then you will be interested in learning more about Invisalign.

The Invisalign method consists of a series of thermoplastic clear aligners that are custom made for you. They move your teeth in the sequence recommended by your dentist. You change the aligners every 2 weeks, and visit your dentist every 4-6 weeks for an exam. Typical treatment time is about a year, though it varies from patient to patient.

How are they made?
First, you must have an exam by an Invisalign certified dentist or orthodontist. Your dental professional will determine if Invisalign is right for you. Next, your dentist will take impressions (models), photographs and x-rays of your teeth. All of this information is sent to the Invisalign lab where a 3-D image will be made of your teeth. Your dentist can then plan your treatment using this virtual representation of your teeth. Invisalign then sends the clear aligners back to your dentist. The number of aligners varies for each person, but there are typically 20-30 upper and lower aligners for the whole treatment. The aligners should be worn at all times except for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.

Advantages over traditional braces

• They can be removed for a special night out
• You can continue day-to-day activities while still wearing them
• They are clear, so they don’t stand out
• Most check-up visits to your dentists are a quick in and out every 6 weeks
• You can remove them to brush and floss, resulting in healthy teeth and gums
• You take them out to eat
• They are less painful than traditional braces because they move the teeth with less force per week

Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign starts at $3,500 (with an average of $5,000). As you can see, Invisalign can be a fairly expensive dental procedure! If you have orthodontic coverage through your dental insurance, then Invisalign should be covered the same as regular braces. Make sure you find out what your dental insurance covers, and it does not.

Who can provide Invisalign?
Only dental professionals who take classes through Invisalign and have a minimum annual number of Invisalign patients can offer Invisalign. DoctorBase.com can help you find an Invisalign certified dentist who can provide you with an exam to see if you qualify for Invisalign. You can also request information directly from Invisalign.

A short video about Invisalign and how it works:

Your smile is worth a million bucks...literally?

We all want perfect teeth, but at what cost? There are certain procedures that can be performed that can completely change the way your mouth looks, but it’s going to cost you!

Implants
If you have a missing tooth and want the replacement to look very natural, an implant is your best bet. Implants can be very expensive but is the most cost effective in the long run. Basically, an implant replaces the root and crown of a tooth. A post (or pin) is placed in the bone and usually made of titanium. The bone and the titanium post have to osteointegrate, which means the bone and post have to mesh together in order to be successful. Once that is complete, a crown that looks very much like a real tooth, is screwed into the post above the gum. And there you have it, a “new” tooth. The reason it is cost effective is that it only effects one tooth, as opposed to a bridge. A bridge normally involves three teeth, the tooth that is missing, and two teeth on either side of it. Studies have shown that an implant lasts much longer than a bridge. So, if you are missing a tooth and have money saved, this is for you.

Veneers
Do you envy the movie star smile? Do you wish you had straight, white teeth but don’t want to wear those metal braces? Then veneers are for you! Veneers are a shell of a crown, and affix to teeth usually in the front. They give the appearance of many different outcomes. It can make teeth look longer, wider, whiter, straighter, and all around different. But it comes at a cost. Veneers are not covered by dental insurance, because they are considered a cosmetic procedure. Again, if you have the money or can finance, veneers give a wonderful natural look to a new you.

Gum Surgery
You may not want the new you to involve gum surgery, but sometimes it is needed rather than wanted. Gum and bone disease are serious issues and need serious attention. The surgery can be expensive because it takes great skill in order to be performed properly. The down side is that once you have been diagnosed as needing gum surgery there is no getting around it. You can certainly put it off, but it is inevitable. Most people have negative comments about it, but once it’s done, you are healthy and can move on to the more “fun” procedures like bleaching!

Bleaching
Ahhh nothing like a pearly white grin to start the day! But bleach!? No, it’s not the bleach you use to get those whites white in the wash! It’s a special dental bleach that makes virgin teeth whiter. Now virgin teeth are teeth that do not have any crowns on top of them, any fillings on them or have been stained from the inside out. If you have teeth like that, particularly in the front of the mouth, then bleaching is not for you. But if you drink a lot of coffee or want to brighten that smile for a date then sign right up. There are three different ways to bleach and three different price tags. The first and most cost effective is over the counter bleaching strips. They can be messy and take up to 14 days to achieve the whiteness you desire. The second is bleaching trays from a dental office. You can have trays made especially for your mouth and you place bleach given to you by the dentist in them. The bleach concentration is a bit stronger than over the counter but can also take up to 14 days as well. The big hitter and the fastest way to a blindingly white mouth is doing an in-office bleach. It is expensive but you can have the desired whiteness done in about an hour. There are two different ways, ZOOM whitening system or BriteSmile system.

Braces
When thinking of braces, does it conjure up thoughts of horrible adolescent memories of being teased for having a metal mouth? Well, those days are long gone. Traditional braces, metal, can look pretty amazing in 2010. There are now clear braces, gold braces and you can pick any color under the sun to cover the brackets. And now the new trend is to use Invisalign. They are considered braces, just another way to straighten your teeth without the teasing. These procedures can be very expensive but so worth it in the long run. Parents want to see their children have straight teeth, but as a dental health professional I see braces as a way to stay healthy. When teeth are crowded it can make it difficult to brush them properly. If they are very crowded then flossing can seem impossible. If left crowded, over time the bone holding teeth in can be damaged and diseased. Conversely, if teeth are spaced too much, food can be jammed in between. This can be very annoying over time. Many people feel embarrassed by their spacing as well. Crowded or spaced, braces can solve the problems. Many general dentists are doing orthodontia now, so if you don’t want to go to an orthodontist, ask your dentist!

All of these dental procedures are expensive. It may seem daunting or aggravating to spend a lot on your mouth. Yet, these procedures take great knowledge and know how to be performed. Think of your mouth as a part of your overall health. Having the best person do the best job, affects your health!

-Alissa

Before hitting the yellow pages or searching for a San Francisco dentist online there are a few criteria you should be wary of.

Reputation

All dentists, as with any profession, were not created equal but you will be glad to know that the general level of technical capability of San Francisco dentists is quite high for the most part. Searching for dentist reviews online can help as can word of mouth from a friend but remember that it can be difficult for a layman to tell the difference between good, bad and average. Professional referral is a slightly better gauge as a dentist will know a good, bad or average dentist.

Facilities

Did you know there are tools to get rid of or reduce that gagging feeling, or a machine that can build a dental implant immediately on site removing the need for multiple visits or that there is a shot that halves the time you have that numb feeling after you visit? Well, there are and not all San Francisco dentists have all. Some people have such levels of fear when visiting the dentist that full or partial sedation is a definite need – not all San Francisco dentists do this, but some do. If you have an idea of what work you will be doing, ask about the appropriate equipment the dentist will be using or ask him what is available to combat any concerns you might be harboring.

Cost

Depending on the procedure the cost of a visit to the dentist in San Francisco can become somewhat expensive. Factors that determine cost will be primarily reputation or experience, equipment (he has to pay for the machines some way), location (San Francisco rent is not cheap) and of course the procedure being delivered.

Insurance

For most, dental insurance is quite basic so if you are getting more than a check-up or a filling, do not bank on insurance protecting your wallet. I am including this here so sticker shock is somewhat reduced if you are seeking something like cosmetic dentistry.

Convenience

In some cases, you may be required to make multiple visits in a short amount of time so thinking with location, parking and even traffic may be an important factor. What is the point of driving to a cheap part of San Francisco (if there is one) to save a couple of hundred dollars when the time to get off work, drive and park negates that saving.

So there you go. Don’t worry, your odds are good. We at Doctorbase would like to humbly offer our listings of quality dentists in San Francisco as they have been checked for reviews and facilities with many having peer reviews too. They wouldn’t be on our listings if they had a bunch of bad reviews. If you choose not to, you obviously know how to use Google – you found us – so good luck.

E-mail the author with a question, seriously I don’t mind, it’s what i’m here for. If I don’t know the answer, I know a lot of dentists, I’ll get you an answer.

There are many different types of braces and some are more aesthetically pleasing with a clear style. If you wanted to find a dentist to get braces, you will find many types available so make sure to ask when you get your appointment of what is available to you.

Photo Credit: Monica Nguyen

Wikipedia has a good writeup on the details of orthodontic braces including history to the many different styles and methods.