TREATMENT OPTIONS
INVISALIGN
Dr. Cohen is a Certified Invisalign® Premier Provider.
Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces.
Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign. Using a series of clear aligners custom-made just for you, your teeth move into the desired position little by little. You wear each aligner for about 2 weeks, as directed by Dr. Cohen, until your treatment is done. A typical Invisalign case takes about a year from start to finish. You’ll see your doctor every month or two to see how you’re progressing.
With Invisalign, you:
Wear your aligners about 20 hours (day and night)
Remove them for meals and snacks
Brush and floss normally as you usually do
Have no undue attention to your mouth while in treatment
Can use their handy app to make sure you are changing your aligners on schedule
Not only is Invisalign versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, but it really works. And there are over half a million smiles to back that up. But a confident smile isn't the only benefit of correcting your dental issues with custom-made Invisalign aligners—your health can be positively impacted as well.
LINGUAL BRACES
Braces fitted behind the teeth are described as lingual, from lingua, the Latin word for tongue. Demand for lingual teeth-straightening has been driven by patients who want to improve their smile and bite but don't want to be seen in braces. Actors, media personalities, newscasters, models - people who are expected to look perfect or otherwise do something about it, but discreetly!
Our office is a Certified iBraces Provider. iBraces is the modern and invisible alternative to conventional braces.
A perfect smile represents confidence and success in both your private and professional life. You feel great knowing not only do you look amazing but that your smile is a healthy smile. With straight teeth, keeping them clean is easier so both your teeth and gums will be healthy for longer.
iBraces are a new generation of orthodontic braces for teens and adults. They are the only 100% customized orthodontic braces available on the market today. Because no two people are alike, no two sets of iBraces are alike, as
iBraces are 100% customized.
iBraces are placed behind your teeth so no one will know that you are wearing braces unless you tell them. These unique braces are created using state-of-the-art technology and are 100% customized to the shape of your teeth and to your dental situation. iBraces have the unique prescription that your orthodontist creates for you built-in to ensure you get the results that you want. With iBraces, you get efficient, effective tooth movement and great aesthetics.
Almost anyone can wear iBraces.
iBraces have been used to treat men and women ranging from the age of 13 to 60+. Most people who can be treated with regular braces can be treated with iBraces, but only your orthodontist can tell you if iBraces are the right treatment option for you.
BEFORE
AFTER
surgical orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics is a form of dental surgery to correct severe cases of bad bites and jawbone abnormalities.
In the treatment of dental abnormalities, bad bites (malocclusion) and crooked teeth are usually corrected by an orthodontist. Abnormalities of the jaw are usually corrected by an oral maxillofacial surgeon. When both conditions exist, it is ideal to find an orthodontist and oral surgeon working together. This teamwork approach to complex dentofacial problems is providing better oral health for thousands of adults and children. These thousands are rewarded with straight teeth, bright smiles and facial symmetry – a beauty of shape, form and position.
When is surgical orthodontics required?
The upper and lower jaws are the bones in which the teeth are aligned. When the jaws are too far apart, a proper bite cannot be achieved with braces alone. The orthodontist then embarks upon a treatment plan that sets up for a future surgical intervention. Surgery is the ideal treatment option in these severe cases.
What treatment is used?
Most orthodontic patients undergo an initial period of orthodontic treatment to align the teeth so that they will fit properly after surgery is completed. Surgery usually is not scheduled until the teeth have been properly aligned.
Orthodontic appliances used to align teeth prior to surgery are left in place during the surgical procedure to aid in stabilizing the teeth and jaws. After surgery there is a period of follow-up orthodontic treatment to achieve final alignment of the teeth, thus complementing the new facial symmetry.
Can surgery be avoided?
In younger patients, future facial growth combined with timely orthodontic intervention can sometimes correct protrusions and/or retrusions of the jaws. An orthodontist working with children as young as age 7 can use one of several orthodontic appliances to direct bone growth, thus attempting to eliminate the need for surgery in some patients. However, in adults, the improper tooth/bone relationship is frequently treated with surgery.
Are there any risks?
The portion of surgical orthodontic treatment provided by an oral surgeon entails the usual risks inherent with any type of surgery. However, surgical orthodontic procedures are not new or experimental, they are routinely performed in offices or hospitals on a regular basis. If you or a member of your family are about to undergo surgical orthodontic treatment, simply ask your oral surgeon to explain the risks to set your mind at ease.
What are the rewards?
Following completion of the surgical orthodontic process, dental health is dramatically improved. The facial bones and profile relationships are also more stable, functional and esthetic. Facial appearance is improved. The most lasting reward is a more beautiful, healthier, and happier you!
What problems does surgical orthodontics best correct?
There are a wide variety of causes of jaw discrepancies including heredity, trauma or other developmental problems. Most commonly corrected problems include: a protruding or retruding chin; an unsightly display of gum tissue above the upper front teeth; an inability to achieve lip contact when the lips are relaxed; and overall elongation of the face.
two-phase orthodontic treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.
The disadvantage of waiting for complete eruption of permanent teeth and having only one phase of treatment for someone with a jaw discrepancy is facing the possibility of a compromised result that may not be stable.
First Phase Treatment: Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful teeth
The goal of first phase treatment is to develop the jaw size in order to accommodate all the permanent teeth and to relate the upper and lower jaws to each other. Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper and lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough can be recognized at an early age. If children after age 6 are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment.
Planning now can save your smile later
Because they are growing rapidly, children can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances that direct the growth relationship of the upper and lower jaws. Thus, a good foundation can be established, providing adequate room for eruption of all permanent teeth. This early correction may prevent later removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding and/or surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws. Leaving such a condition untreated until all permanent teeth erupt could result in a jaw discrepancy too severe to achieve an ideal result with braces.
Second Phase Treatment: Stay healthy and look attractive
The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly.
Movement & Retention
At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase, as dictated by the problem. The second phase is initiated when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.
RETENTION
When you've completed the moving part of your treatment, you're ready for the holding part! The next few months are the most critical part of your treatment!
Your retainer is designed to hold your teeth in their corrected position until the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth "fill in" and make them "solid." If we do not retain (or hold) the teeth following orthodontic tooth movement, the teeth will move back towards their old positions and all that time wearing braces would be wasted.
If your retainer is going to do the job, here are the things you must do:
Wear your retainers all the time, until Dr. Cohen instructs otherwise.
Take your retainers out only when eating... and always put retainers in their case! Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants. NEVER wrap the retainer in a napkin or tissue, as they may be thrown away. If you put them in your pocket, they will break when you sit down. Also, Pets love to chew on them, so keep them out of reach!
Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and warm water. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster. However, in 2 or 3 days, your speech will return to normal.
Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
Retainer replacement is costly... with proper care they will last for years!
Even after braces, you will still need appointments. You will have fewer office visits but checking your retainer is still very important. Always remember to bring your retainer to every appointment. If you lose or break a retainer, please call us immediately. The teeth will move if the retainers are not worn as instructed.
Congratulations on your new smile, use it frequently!