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Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 751-8092

Switching dentists after Invisalign

May 31, 2013

Filed under: Invisalign — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 10:40 pm

I just finished Invisalign treatments. I love the results, but still need a retainer. However, I’m not very happy with my dentist. I find him to be  rude and insensitive in the comments he makes.  I’d like to switch, but don’t know if I can if I’m in the middle of retainer treatments.

Brooke K.- New Hampshire

Brooke,

You are perfectly within your rights to swtich denitsts at absolutely any time. In fact, your current dentist is under a legal obligation to make the transition as smoothly as possible. He should provide all the treatment information.

However, even if he doesn’t cooperate, it is really easy to have a new reatainer made from scratch. I’m glad to hear how you loved your Invisalign treatments. They have a very high patient satisfaction rate.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Straightening teeth as an adult

January 18, 2013

Filed under: Crooked Teeth,Invisalign — Tags: , — okcitydentist @ 4:20 am

My parents never could afford braces for me, as a result, I am an adult with crooked teeth, which really bothers me. I’m sure it affects my standing in the work place. Is there a good way to straighten an adult’s teeth without braces? I don’t think that would look very professional.

Brent O. – Chicago

Brent,

You may be a candidate for Invisalign. These use clear aligners to straighten your teeth and cannot be seen by others. They’re very convenient and work faster than traditional braces. Usually you have completed treatment in 6 months to 1 year, depending on the severity of your case.

If that seems too long a time for you, you might consider porcelain veneers. These don’t actually straighten your teeth, but make them appear straight. The advantages to these are you can fix other things too like shape and color, enabling you to totally remake your smile. These can be done in just two appointments.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Solution for large gaps

June 12, 2012

Filed under: Invisalign — Tags: , — okcitydentist @ 5:42 am

I have a very large gap between my front teeth, about 8mm. My dentist said he could use bonding to bring the gaps together. I’m worried that will make my teeth look too big. Is there another solution besides braces. I’m too old for braces.

Jennifer K. from Alabama

Jennifer,

I wish I knew what dentist told you to get dental bonding for this problem, because that is a very bad idea. Your instincts are right. 8mm is enough to fit an entire new tooth. That would not look natural at all. Really, I think the best solution for you would be to get Invisalign.

Unlike traditional braces, no one can see that your wearing Invisalign. Plus they are much more comfortable. You wear them all the time, but can take them out to eat and brush your teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Invisalign aligners are loose

May 29, 2012

Filed under: Invisalign — Tags: — okcitydentist @ 7:55 pm

I’m wondering if I really have to wear my invisalign aligners for two weeks. At first they fit, but then after a few days they’re loose. Do you think my teeth straighten faster than other peoples?

Cindy D. from Albuquerque, NM

Cindy,

That sounds about normal actually. When you first put on the Invisalign aligners they are designed to be a little snug. That is because they are gently guiding your teeth into a new position. In a few days, they’ll be moved over, so the aligners will loosen up a bit. However. You need to keep the aligners in for the full two weeks because it gives your bone time to re-form around the roots of your teeth in their new position. If you don’t give them that time, your teeth could come loose.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Fixing a crooked front tooth

January 12, 2012

Filed under: Invisalign — Tags: , — okcitydentist @ 8:24 pm

I have one front tooth that is really crooked. It goes kind of behind my other tooth. My dentist said he thinks it would be best to pull it and put in an implant. I’d rather keep my tooth. I’ve heard that invisalign works with a computer. Do you think the computer could figure out a way to straighten that tooth or do I need to pull it?

Pauline- California

Pauline,

Unless there is some other condition I am not aware of, then Invisalign should work just fine for straightening your teeth. I haven’t examined you, but based on it just being crooked, there is no reason to pull your tooth. One of the great things about Invisalign is that no one will even know you are having your teeth worked on. Generally it takes between six months and one year for Invisalign to work, which is much easier than the one to two years of traditional braces.

There is another option for your teeth. If you’re in a hurry to re-make your smile, you can get porcelain veneers. They will not straighten your teeth, but instead they give the appearance of straight teeth.  Veneers can change the shape and color of your smile in just two appointments.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.