Smile CSRA

My First Invisalign Aligners

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I recently got my first Invisalign® aligners! I’m currently on set 13 (Where has the time gone?), but I wanted to recap the beginning of my treatment before I move on to other topics. For those of you reading this who haven’t read my previous posts, you can learn more about my first Invisalign appointment before you read on.

Shortly after my initial Invisalign appointment, I came back to Dr. Carter’s office to pick up my first few aligners. I received a new patient kit, which was filled with aligner trays, a special brush, and instructions.

invisalign patient kit

Seriously, this is all it takes for a nice, new smile? I was sold.

invisalign accessories

Of course, the most interesting thing I received that day was my first set of aligners. I was nervous to try them on, but it wasn’t a big deal at all. Yep, these babies are part of my daily routine now.

first invisalign aligners

So how has my treatment been going? Well, I want to shout from the rooftops how excited I am that I’m officially working on my smile for the first time in my life. The best part? The process has been so smooth. That being said, there are a few things I have learned about wearing my Invisalign aligners:

• There should be no eating or drinking (except for clear liquids) while I’m wearing them. They need to be removed every time I eat, drink, or brush my teeth. I’ve actually noticed how much mindless snacking I did before I had the aligners. That’s probably the biggest “change” I’ve seen in my routine. It’s slightly more complicated now than just eating something quickly.
• I initially had a hard time remembering to grab my aligner case before heading out of the door each day. Tossing your aligners into a napkin before you eat isn’t the best idea, you guys. Luckily, you receive two cases. I now leave one in my purse and one by the bathroom sink. No more napkins.
• Ideally, you should wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. Some days I do better than others. I’d say I average between 20 & 21 hours a day, which is still within recommended ranges. I’m sure I’ll get better with practice. Maybe I should set a thirty minute alarm every time I take them out? Might just be a brilliant idea.
• There has been no pain associated with my treatment at all. My front teeth feel a little “achy” on the first day of a new set, but it’s definitely nothing I would complain about. By the second day, I barely feel them.
• I was also a little nervous about my speech being affected, but it’s not too bad! I’ve gotten passed the awkwardness, for sure. Sometimes my “s” sounds come out a little weird, but again, I can’t complain.

Overall, I am pleasantly surprised by how easy this whole process has been. I’ll check back in later with more details on my attachments, buttons, and bands and using AcceleDent to speed the whole thing up. If you have any questions, leave a comment below!

Clear Aligners Created with Orchestrate 3D Printing Techniques

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Technology’s role in dentistry and orthodontics continues to grow at a rapid pace. With the huge advances in technology every year, it can be hard to keep up. A big topic of discussion lately has been 3D printing and we can definitely see why. The processes may be complicated, but it’s important to understand just how much these new machines can do. From creating simple designs to working human limbs, it seems like anything can be 3D printed much quicker and at a fraction of the cost.

What is 3D printing? Check out the video below to learn more.

A great option for orthodontic patients who want straight teeth more quickly than they ever thought possible is Orchestrate 3D Technology.

The O3D process helps orthodontists keep the entire process under their own roof. That means your journey to straight, healthy teeth is faster than ever before. With this in-house printing, your orthodontist can create clear aligners for you, limiting your wait time and speeding up the entire process.

Have any questions? Leave them below! If you’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Carter, we’d love to set up your free consultation today.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath (When You Can’t Chew Gum)

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We’ve all been there. Out of no where, you realize your breath is a little less than fresh. Many people would just pop in a piece of gum, but what do you do to get rid of bad breath quickly when you have braces? Luckily, there are other options.

get rid of bad breath quickly

1. Reach for you toothbrush. This should always be your first course of action when possible. It is always a great idea to try to keep a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste on hand, though, so you’ll be prepared to keep your teeth sparkling clean.

2. Drink a glass of water. When you can’t rush out and brush up, reach for a glass of water. When it’s been a while since you’ve had a drink, the bacteria in your mouth releases an unpleasant-smelling gas. You’re much less likely to have bad breath when you don’t allow your mouth to dry out.

3. Eat an apple. We’ve mentioned before that apples are natures toothbrushes because of their ability to clean your teeth, but they also do a great job freshening your breath. They contain oxidized polyphenols, which help to neutralize the odor produced by bacteria in your mouth. It’s a win, win.

4. Sip some hot tea. Tea definitely helps keep your mouth from drying out, but black and green tea also contain polyphenols that can prevent the growth of the bacteria that causes bad breath. Brew for your breath!

5. Nibble on parsley. One of the worst culprits when it comes to bad breath is garlic. The next time you chow down on a meal filled with it, check and see if the dish was garnished with parsley. If so, munch on some after dinner to fight the garlicky smell.

My First Invisalign Appointment

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Before heading to my first Invisalign appointment, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had been wearing a pendulum appliance for months leading up to this appointment, so I was just excited to get that out.  I had a feeling getting and wearing trays would be a breeze compared to a permanent retainer. I was right!

After they removed my pendulum and took more “before” pictures, they started the Invisalign fitting process. I had heard horror stories of orthodontist using gross goo to take the impressions, but at Dr. Carter‘s office they use an awesome handheld imaging device.

After a few minutes of scanning, the computer created a rough digital image that exactly mirrors my smile, in all of its crooked glory. The really cool thing about the image was that it was able to show me all the angles. I honestly never realized just how bad my overbite was until I saw the 360 degree view of it. Yikes, you guys.

first invisalign appointment

A few minutes after that, the computer had produced a finalized version of my smile, along with a predicted outcome after I’m done with all of Invisalign trays. At my next appointment, they will show me the official Invisalign predictions, but they explained that this one would be pretty darn close. I have to say, I definitely like the new smile much, much better. It’s really cool to see then end goal when you’re starting a process like this!

predicted invisalign results

And with that, my first appointment was over. It was a really simple, pain free process and it was also seriously neat to watch my smile change on the screen. Now I’m officially on my way to a healthy, new smile. I couldn’t be more excited to share the Invisalign process. If you have any questions about anything so far, leave me a comment. I’ll do my best to fill you in!

In the meantime, if you’re interested in getting started, schedule your free consultation today.

Should You Get Invisalign or Traditional Braces?

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Having a great smile can make a huge difference in your life. We’ve already discussed the health benefits of wearing braces, but there are many other reasons to choose to work on your smile. When it comes to straightening your teeth, choosing the best option is often a very personal decision. This post will help you understand the difference of two common choices: Invisalign and traditional metal braces.

smiles

How are they different?

Braces improve your smile using metal brackets affixed onto each tooth connected by wires. Invisalign corrects orthodontic problems using a set of clear aligner trays. You wear braces at all times, while Invisalign aligners can be removed to eat or drink.

Aesthetics

One of the obvious advantages of Invisalign is that the clear trays are nearly invisible. This is particularly beneficial for adults who are self-conscious about appearing professional with traditional braces. Similarly, teens may feel more comfortable using the aligners because their friends will be less likely to notice them.

Orthodontic Problem

While Invisalign is proven to treat many cases for many people, there are a few instances when it may not be appropriate. Invisalign works well for people who have relatively minor problems, such as crooked teeth, some crowding, or gaps. Braces are still a great choice for people with severe bite issues or other complex orthodontic problems.

Eating and Drinking

Like we previously mentioned, Invisalign trays are removable. You must take them out to eat or drink. You have to make sure to keep up with them while you have them out. However, unlike traditional braces, you are not limited in the foods you may eat. You can still have chewy or sticky foods with Invisalign, as long as you brush before putting them back on.

In the end, you will have to make this decision along with your orthodontist. Contact Carter Orthodontics to better understand which choice might be right for you.