Invisalign dentist Archives

My Invisalign dentist is rude!

September 15, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I went to a new dentist to get Invisalign invisible braces. They had a new patient special going and the deal was too good to pass up. Well I stuck with him for a couple months, but I have never met someone so rude, especially when I am paying someone. With all the dentists in my area, there really is no reason for me to want to keep going. Well, I’m on aligner #5 and the tray didn’t fit right. He went off about how I need to follow the instructions and be compliant, and wouldn’t even let me get a word in. Needless to say, he was supposed to have re-ordered my tray #5 so I have been waiting to hear back. But it’s been two weeks and now they are telling me I need new impressions. That’s the last straw for me. Please tell me I can switch to another Invisalign dentist without too much of a headache.

– Hannah in New York

Hannah,

Sorry to hear you have had a negative experience with your current dentist. There are no shortage of Invisalign providers, so you should have no problem finding another reputable dentist in your area. When a patient is unhappy or is moving out of state, Invisalign dentists can be switched. It does involve coordinating with the current dentist to fill out a form. When it has been signed by all parties, the Invisalign treatment plan should be easily moved to your new desired practice. It’s the fees that may be tricky. There is a good chance you already paid the initial dentist, so you will need to figure out a refund. Or maybe you can pay for only the services rendered. It all depends on how the dentist has it broken out and their payment policies. Fingers crossed that the transition is smooth.

Does coffee stain Invisalign?

September 14, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am very interested in learning more information about Invisalign invisible braces. It sounds like patients just love them. I really am attracted to the fact that no one will know I’m wearing them. But here’s the thing. I am a heavy coffee drinker. I don’t think I can give it up. Will this defeat the purpose and stain the trays yellow or brown?

– Maria in Nevada

Maria,

Coffee does stain teeth and so naturally that is assumed that it will stain Invisalign aligners. You could quit! Just joking. You don’t have to quit to get a beautiful, straight smile.

But what you may not have realized is that you need to remove Invisalign trays whenever you are eating or drinking. Coffee that is hot will damage the aligners. It may also cause damage to your teeth below the aligner because the liquid could become trapped on your teeth, underneath the aligner. The coffee, sugar that is likely added, and high acidity of coffee just sitting on your teeth can cause increased decay. If for some reason you are in a situation where you cannot remove the aligners while having a cup of coffee, you could drink through a straw. Yet, there is still a possibility that it will stain the aligners and they will still end up being exposed to heat.

Ideally, coffee drinking should be limited or only drink it when you are not wearing your aligners. Also, it is a good habit to brush and floss right after a cup. The safest way to keep your teeth healthy and Invisalign aligners looking their best is to remove them, enjoy your food or drink, clean your teeth, then pop them back in.

Does Invisalign hurt?

September 12, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m trying to figure out what treatment is best for me, braces or Invisalign? I was wondering if Invisalign hurts?

– Layla in Utah

Layla,

Thank you for your question. Invisalign does not hurt. It is actually a very popular treatment to straighten teeth and has a very high patient satisfaction rating. Actually, Invisalign boasts one of the highest patient satisfaction rating in dentistry.

When you go into the dentist, they will take an impression of your teeth, as well as recording data and measurements. This information is sent off to the laboratory so your clear plastic aligners are created. The impression doesn’t hurt.

Then, when your trays are ready you come back into the office to pick them up. All you do is snap the first set of trays in to get started. The first few days, you will notice that they feel snug. But they shouldn’t hurt. As your teeth move gradually into their new positions, they will loosen up. Then, in two weeks, it’s time to pop in the second set of trays. Again, they will initially feel tight until your tooth reposition. This process is repeated until your desired results are achieved.

Many people choose Invisalign over traditional metal braces because they are invisible. No one will notice you are wearing them from a conversational distance. Also, they work to straighten teeth in about half the time and they are more comfortable. You don’t have to worry about the metal brackets or wires irritating your soft tissues.

Darn it! How do I get gum off of my Invisalign trays?

September 12, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Help! My gum addiction is becoming a big problem ever since I got Invisalign. The dentist warned me not to do it. But the other day, I totally popped in a piece of gum without even thinking about it. Gum chewing has been a habit of mine for years. So I didn’t realize it until it was too late. Both Invisalign trays are covered in it. I used a toothbrush to get a bulk of it off. But there are a few stubborn spots remaining. How big of an issue is it if it doesn’t come off? Are they safe to wear?

– Tanya in Minnesota

Tanya,

Unfortunately, removing gum from Invisalign trays can be a tedious process. You don’t need to hear, “I told you so!” from the dentist. But it may end up that you need their assistance to get it off.

For starters, try a denture brush. The soft bristles of a toothbrush won’t get it all. But a denture brush is more resilient. Or you could try the old wive’s tale of using peanut butter to remove gum. Try placing peanut butter on the Invisalign aligner and let it soak in for several minutes. The oil helps to loosen gum and this technique used with a brush may take care of it. If that doesn’t work, try popping them in the freezer. Every 20 minutes this process can be repeated. The freezing of the gum may help it to flake off of the trays.

If none of these tricks work, it is probably time to call your dentist. They have much more powerful cleaning agents and tools available at the office. Hopefully, that will remove it.

There are some Invisalign patients that swear by sugar-free gums. But, as you know and have now seen firsthand, gum chewing is not recommended. If you cannot break the gum chewing habit and you wear them most of the time, you may be able to enjoy a piece of gum when removing the trays on occasion. Always be sure to clean your teeth after eating or chewing any gum so you don’t promote decay.

Pain with Invisalign

September 4, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been using Invisalign to straighten my teeth. I have been regularly monitored throughout the treatment by my cosmetic dentist. The gap in my front teeth is looking really closed up now. I am happy! But, I got this weird pain in my premolar last week. I am on my fourth round of trays. When the dentist checked out the tooth, it was one with a really old filling. He decided to remove the filling and do something to help with the nerve pain and perform a temporary treatment. But he wants to wait before he fills it in case there is something more serious happening with the tooth. It has been several days now and the tooth is still hurting really bad. Is this normal pain because I have Invisalign?

– Sara in Colorado

Sara,

As you probably are aware, when you use Invisalign the teeth can feel more sensitive than normal. Sometimes they can even hurt to chew on. This is because the teeth are moving and there is increased pressure placed on them to correct their position. This could be contributing to the pain you are experiencing. When the gum tissue and membrane stretches for the tooth to move, it can be painful.

But, from the sounds of it, your issue is on a tooth with an old filling. The dentist took a precautionary measure and probably used temporary filling material. It is difficult to tell you precisely what is going on, but your cosmetic dentist took a conservative approach to see if you pain would subside. You could be dealing with a crack in the old filling or the tooth itself. Food or particles may have entered the crack and can cause more decay. If the decay has entered into the pulp of the tooth, there could be an infection present. This would require more extensive treatment. If the pain worsens, throbs, or keeps you up at night, contact your dentist right away. A root canal may be required to save the tooth. Did he do an x-ray? If not, and the pain worsens, that will be the next step to further diagnose what is really going on. Sit tight as long as the pain isn’t too intense. But keep in touch with your dentist if it doesn’t go away.

Best case scenario, the filling will be replaced with a white composite filling and you will still be able to continue with your Invisalign treatment. Hard to tell from what you have disclosed.

How do I close my big gap in my teeth? Anything other than Lumineers?

August 27, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Please tell me I have other options beyond Lumineers and Snap-On smile? I have a pretty big gap in between my two front teeth. I was planning to get Snap-On smile because that’s what my family dentist recommended. I did the x-rays and all the preparation steps and all the info was sent to the company. Then, after all that, the company said I am not a candidate. I don’t want braces at all. So, I have an appointment with another dentist about Lumineers. My gap is between 8-10 mm. I’m not sure that Lumineers will work right either. I’d love to get your thoughts.

-Sharon in Mississippi

Sharon,

Thank you for reaching out before your Lumineers appointment because this is not the way to go for your case. If you went through with it, you wouldn’t be happy with the results. Your gap of 8-10mm is quite large. You are not a candidate for Lumineers. You need to have the gap closed or see an excellent cosmetic dentist to better explore your options.

You mentioned that you didn’t want braces and I’m assuming you are referring to traditional metal braces. Have you considered Invisalign? This treatment uses clear aligners and highly sophisticated computer technology to re-position teeth gradually. Invisalign would work well to close the gap and it works in about half the time as traditional braces. It is much more comfortable too because there are not metal and brackets. From a conversational distance, no one will know you are wearing the invisible aligners. So, this would be a good treatment option for you to consider. You could estimate approximately a year from start to finish, with new aligners being placed every two weeks.

Also, I mentioned having a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. Not just any dentist is skilled in cosmetic dentistry. Your average family general dentist wouldn’t be the one to look for other recommendations. If a dentist is promoting Lumineers, that is a sign that they are not an expert cosmetic dentist. Most excellent cosmetic dentists don’t choose Lumineers for their patients. There are trademark restrictions that require them to be manufactured in their own laboratory and they deliver results that don’t look as nice as other brands of porcelain veneers. The teeth look dull, and some cases look long and thick. Now, there are other brands of porcelain veneers that may work okay. But, you still may need to have your teeth straightened prior to getting porcelain veneers. You would need to make sure you are meeting with a dentist that knows his or her stuff because it is possible (with an expert cosmetic dentist) to have the gap filled or re-shaped in a way that would look natural and beautiful. But with as large of a gap as you have, it would be difficult for the average dentist on the block.

Some things to consider when you are looking for a great cosmetic dentist would be to first off, have a consultation to see if you feel they are trustworthy. Then, ask them about cases similar to yours regarding working with a large gap in your front teeth. Also, check their credentials and their portfolio of work. Any excellent cosmetic dentist would require extensive training beyond dental school and if they were affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, that would be a good indicator of their skill level.

Good luck and thank you for reaching out. Lumineers just aren’t right for you. So, hopefully this helps you explore other options.

Are Lingual Braces or Invisalign Better for Adults?

August 26, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m trying to choose between finding an Invisalign dentist or one who does lingual braces. I’m 43 now and had braces when I was in my 20s, so my teeth aren’t too bad, but I’d like to correct the little bits that have shifted and make them even again. At the same time, I don’t want to have braces that are obvious. I’m a business professional and I don’t want to look like a teenager with a face full of metal. With the research I have done, it seems like both Invisalign and lingual braces are an option for someone with teeth like mine. Is there a benefit to using one type of orthodontics over the other?

Thanks,

Marjorie in Washington, DC

Dear Marjorie,

Based on your description, you probably are a candidate for both. People tend to turn to lingual braces when they worry that they’ll forget to change their aligners or that they’ll lose them. Lingual braces can sometimes tackle cases that Invisalign can’t, but the aligners do a very good job, even on challenging cases.

A lot of adults have trouble with lingual braces because their tongue is drawn to them. They have difficulty speaking and it can be uncomfortable. Being a professional, where it sounds like you may have to attend meetings, speak publicly and such, you can remove the aligners entirely beforehand if you prefer. You can also remove the aligners for cleaning, which is a huge benefit for oral hygiene. Some people have a lot of trouble brushing and flossing with braces, which inevitably leads to gingivitis, advanced gum disease, or decay. Some doctors also cite damage to enamel as a problem with traditional braces. The main reason this becomes a problem is when hygiene isn’t kept up.

If you really are a candidate for both options, you’ll probably prefer the versatility and speed of Invisalign, though you likely won’t have to do any kind of orthodontic treatment for long because you’ve already had it and are refining what’s already been done. Everyone’s mouth and challenges in treatment are different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach with orthodontics. Start with a consultation and verify what your options are and be sure to mention that you’re open to suggestions depending on what your ultimate goals are. When deciding between these two options, though, you’ll likely be happier going through Invisalign treatment.

Can I still get Invisalign if I’m missing teeth?

August 25, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My bottom teeth are a crooked mess. I also have an under-bite. My parents were never able to afford braces so my teeth have bothered me my whole life. The two bicuspids I had are actually my baby teeth. I have no idea why the permanent ones never came in. One of them has been pulled and my guess is the other one will need to be pulled eventually. I also am missing a back molar.

Taking all that into consideration, is it possible for me to get Invisalign with these missing teeth? I don’t want to have to wear ugly metal braces as an adult.

– Ray in Arizona

Ray,

Good news! It is possible to use Invisalign even with missing teeth. That said, you still need to meet with an Invisalign certified dentist to determine if you are a candidate. There is a possibility the under-bite may end up complicating things.

It will all depend on the dentist as to their individual opinion about the best treatment plan. Orthodontists are usually cut from a more conservative-minded cloth. Their opinion will largely based on their comfort level and experience. But many general dentists have embraced Invisalign technology and it may be right for you. The Invisalign company also has a licensed orthodontist on staff to assist with any clinical issues that are encountered. The best thing for you to do since you have the missing teeth and also some spacing issues is to seek a couple independent opinions from Invisalign dentists in you area.

It all depends on the severity of your case. So missing teeth is not a deal breaker, but may present some unique challenges.

What would you recommend to fix a crooked front tooth?

August 24, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I haven’t been able to find the right dentist to help me with my crooked teeth. Every dentist I see, seems to have a different recommendation. How am I supposed to know what to do? I have a crooked front tooth, like really crooked. It goes behind the neighboring front tooth. Do you think Invisalign is an option or will I be stuck with braces? Or is it possible I could have it pulled? Please tell me you have some advice.

-Beck in Colorado

Beck,

Thank you for your question. It is always difficult to give specific recommendations without having seen your case in person. But, if you are an adult, Invisalign may be a legitimate option. Also, porcelain veneers, if they are done by an expert cosmetic dentist, may help you get the appearance of straight teeth. But it cannot be expressed enough that when dealing with the aesthetics of a smile, you need to find an excellent cosmetic dentist. Not just any dentist does beautiful cosmetic dentistry. Be sure to look into their experience with similar cases and credentials, in order to find the right fit.

Whatever you do, don’t pull the tooth. You may have received that kind of recommendation from one of the dentist, but your smile will simply not look right. Having an uneven number of teeth in your smile will look strange. You want to have symmetrical, straight smile and you cannot accomplish that if you are missing one of your front teeth. Did the dentist that recommended this treatment suggest replacing the tooth with a dental implant? Even so, this would not be the ideal treatment option. It would be in your best interest to find a dentist that will do whatever possible to keep your natural tooth.

Now, depending on how crooked the tooth is, it is possible that porcelain veneers may help. It all depends on the position of the crooked front tooth. So, you should continue exploring Invisalign. It would also be wise to consult with a cosmetic dentist, especially one that also offers Invisalign.

Good luck to you. Hopefully this helps you realize you do have options, beyond pulling the tooth.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Is Invisalign a holistic approach?

August 22, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My teenager needs braces and our dentist is recommending a local orthodontist. But my daughter has a severe nickel allergy so I am really more interested in Invisalign. The orthodontist didn’t even seem like he considered Invisalign as an option and said he needs ceramic braces. But I don’t want her to have braces. I am not comfortable with any kind of treatment that has metal. Do you think a holistic dentist would be a better fit for our situation?

– Carly in Nevada

Carly,

A holistic dentist may have a different opinion and viewpoint than an orthodontists. They may have more information regarding possible alternatives to metal as well. There are toxins used in non-metal braces that you may need to be tested for too before moving forward with any teeth straightening treatment. Most of these practices are also mercury-free dentists.

Non-metal alternatives may include expanders and as you mentioned initially, Invisalign may be an option. As long as your daughter’s teeth are fully erupted and her jaw is done growing, Invisalign may work. But if a natural dentist also deems that she isn’t a candidate for Invisalign, don’t push it. The positioning of her teeth may be presenting some complications. A non-extraction orthodontic option may be the best for her situation. These methods make more room for the existing teeth in conjunction with the arch versus removing the “surplus” teeth.

In a nutshell, a holistic or “biological” dentist may be more inclined to make recommendations on how the total mouth works in harmony together, instead of pure aesthetics. You can never go wrong seeking a second opinion, especially with your daughter’s nickel allergy concerns.

Good luck!