New technology produces better results with fewer visits, shortened treatment times, and enhanced comfort.
-
SmartClip™ Self-Ligating Braces
SmartClip™ Self-Ligating Braces are the modern choice in orthodontics. Ordinary braces use "elastic bands" (technical name "ligatures") to secure an archwire into a slot in each bracket. The elastic bands can become stained or stretched—requiring your orthodontist to change them. They can also retain food particles, making it more difficult for you to keep your braces clean. SmartClip™ braces are different. They don't use ligatures to hold the archwire…they are self-ligating. Instead of elastic bands, SmartClip™ braces use small metal clips to hold the archwire into the bracket. You may be surprised, but ligatures can slow down your overall treatment process. Ligatures rub against the archwire and hinder tooth movement. Without the need for ligatures, SmartClip™ self-ligating braces remove this source of friction on the archwire, and this can have a positive effect on total treatment times and required visits. For more information, please visit the SmartClip™ website or watch this YouTube video.
-
Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen
Invisalign uses clear, plastic aligners created from sophisticated 3-D computer imaging technology. They do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticizers. These aligners are made with USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins They are comfortable, removable and invisible! Invisalign is a popular choice for adults and teens who are ultimately concerned about the appearance of braces during normal daily activities. You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position we have prescribed. You'll visit us about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Our office has been certified to treat patients with Invisalign since 2002.
-
Temporary Anchorage Devices
One of the many important advances in orthodontics has been the development of temporary anchorage devices, or TADs. Made of a bio-compatible titanium alloy, TADs are miniscrew anchors which are inserted into specific places in the mouth to be used as a fixed point from which teeth can move. Before TADs, orthodontists who wanted to move some teeth while keeping others still, or to achieve orthodontic movement in a mouth with missing teeth, had to rely on headgear for their fixed point. But TADs now provide an option for that fixed point that is smaller, more discrete, more efficient and requires significantly less work for the patient. Temporary anchorage devices may not be recommended for everyone, and in fact, anchorage devices at all may not be needed in all cases. Contact us if you’d like to know more about TADs and how they can potentially prevent you from needing orthodontic headgear.
Back to Top