For
over 20 years our orthodontics patients have successfully used Invisalign
aligners as an alternative to standard metal braces. As time goes on, the Invisalign
system advances and expands in acceptance.
Adults who feel embarrassed by misaligned teeth and are not comfortable with
the idea of metal braces embrace Invisalign as the perfect solution. The method
is practically unnoticeable, and our patients also appreciate that is an
efficient as well as an effective way to create a flawless smile.
The traditional Invisalign alignment trays are ideal for older teens, who are
finished growing, as well as for adults. The clear plastic aligners are
discreet, thin, simple to use, and require minimal care. Patients must wear the
trays for about 22 hours a day and remove the trays at mealtime. Through the
course of treatment, the aligners are replaced to help move the teeth into the
correct place. Our Invisalign dentist in Torrance has hundreds of happy
patients with perfect smiles thanks to Invisalign.
Recently, the Invisalign company introduced two new kinds of Invisalign:
Invisalign Express and Invisalign Teen.
Invisalign Express is very similar to the traditional Invisalign system. Clear
plastic aligners gently push your teeth into the correct position to give you a
straight, beautiful smile. The difference between regular Invisalign and
Express is that the Express system is ideal for patients who have mild to
moderate misalignment problems. Our dentist in Torrance will evaluate patients
to see if the Express treatment is best for them. It takes half as long as
traditional Invisalign and still delivers fantastic results.
Teens are a group who would benefit from the option of a nearly invisible
removable orthodontic method. So, to meet this need, Invisalign Teen is
available. There are three main differences between Invisalign Teen and the
traditional version.
• Invisalign Teen has a tab which allows for continued jaw growth or erupting
permanent teeth.
• There is a small blue dot on the teen variety of Invisalign. This dot wears
away slowly as the alignment tray spends time in the teen’s mouth. After two
weeks, the dot should disappear. If the blue dot is still there, then the teen
has not worn the aligner enough during the two-week period.
• Unlike traditional Invisalign, parents may order replacement alignment trays
if a tray is lost or broke.
With three types of Invisalign systems available our dentist can help you find
the one that will give you a beautiful smile.
At
our office, we are continually improving procedures to reduce pain and recovery
time. We understand that some people just fear visits to a dentist, and we are
aware that some patients have phobias which significantly impact them. Because
our dentists also know that regular check-ups and various treatments are
essential to our patients’ oral health, we offer dental sedation in our office.
In our office, we offer four different levels of sedation as well as four
methods of sedation. We work to deliver a comfortable middle ground where you
are anxiety and pain-free, but not excessively medicated. Levels and methods of
sedation vary based on the procedure and your physical health.
The four levels of sedation we use in our practice are:
• MINIMAL SEDATION- This is the lightest level of sedation; you are awake but
calm and free of anxiety.
• MODERATE SEDATION – This was once called ‘conscious sedation’ because you are
still slightly awake. Patients with moderate sedation often fall asleep during
the procedure and remember very little of what happened.
• DEEP SEDATION – You are close to unconsciousness, yet we are able to wake
you.
• GENERAL ANESTHESIA -- You are entirely unconscious.
The four methods of dental sedation:
• INHALED SEDATION- This is a minimal form of sedation where you breathe in a
mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, commonly called ‘laughing gas.’
The dentist delivers the gas through a mask which is over your nose. The gas
helps you relax and wears off quickly.
• ORAL SEDATION- The level of drowsiness achieved by oral sedatives varies from
minimal to moderate depending on the dosage. Typically, the dentist administers
the drug Halcion in pill form, and you will feel sleepy and calm. The dosage is
increased to reach a moderate level of sedation. Oral sedation usually takes an
hour to work, and afterward, you will be groggy.
• IV SEDATION- You can either receive moderate or deep sedation via intravenous
therapy. You receive medicine directly into your vein, and it works quickly to
relax you. In deep sedation, you are asleep, but we can easily wake you.
• GENERAL ANESTHESIA- If you receive general anesthesia, you will be entirely
unconscious and will wake when the medication wears off, or we reverse the
effects with a different medicine.
If you are fearful of a visit to our office or have questions about dental
sedation, please contact our office, and we would be happy to help you.
