Did You Know That a Clear Correct Dentist Can Straighten Teeth?

As a Clear Correct® dentist, we straighten teeth the invisible way.  Clear Correct® braces are the next evolution in getting the perfect smile. Dentists and orthodontists have long sought solutions that would not adversely impact their patient’s lives, as the patient was going through the process of correcting a natural misalignment of teeth. Traditional metal braces are designed to have the most impact without taking any other factors, like esthetics, into account and hence the phrase metal mouth was born, and many people became fearful of getting braces. Metal braces have served their purpose for a very long time, and the time has come for a new iteration of this age old remedy. Clear Correct® is the dentist solution to crooked, misaligned teeth while not requiring the patient to have a mouth full of metal for years on end. 

The idea behind Clear Correct® braces is very much the same as traditional braces, without the metal. Clear Correct® works on a gradual correcting schedule which moves the teeth out of their misaligned placement into a more permanent place within the mouth. Typically there are two types of treatment plans that dentists follow when using this treatment. The first is a full treatment, known as Clear Correct® full, which involves 32 distinct steps of treatment. These are delivered over the course of eight phases. Most people, with moderate to minor imperfections, do not require such an extensive treatment and can get their teeth aligned in 12 distinct steps. These are delivered over the course of three phases, and this treatment option is known as Clear Correct® limited. For the vast majority of patients, they will only ever use the limited path to perfectly aligned teeth. Each phase of the treatment lasts three weeks. There is a deliberate time gap between each treatment phase, giving us control and flexibility to adjust the treatment as needed. 

As a Clear Correct® dentist, we will provide you with aligners that are worn virtually all the time. The advantage they have over traditional braces, in addition to the fact that they do not give you a mouth full of metal, is that they can be removed. When you are brushing your teeth, eating, drinking, or flossing you will remove your aligners and then replace them after you are done. This is revolutionary because it allows you to eat and drink any kind of food without restriction. It also means that you will have no problems with oral hygiene since you will be brushing and flossing on your regular schedule without having to deal with the discomfort or needing to adapt to braces. 

To get started, visit our Clear Correct® dentist office. Once you have decided that you want to use the Clear Correct® alternative to braces, all your dental records including impressions, radiographs, and photographs will be forwarded to Clear Correct®’s laboratory. Once there, technicians will create an exact three-dimensional (3D) model of your teeth and uses this to map out a complete treatment plan. You will have access to the complete plan, including the steps showing where you started and where you will end up with perfectly aligned teeth. 

Known as the “treatment set-up” this computerized representation will be sent to you by email, from where you will approve, make minor adjustments, and then order your custom made aligners.  

To learn more about this process, call for a consultation.

Learn Why a Root Canal is a Common Emergency Dentist Procedure

When you get a toothache, we can perform an emergency dentist procedure to help you feel better.  There are several reasons why a tooth may start to hurt.  Sometimes food gets stuck in between two teeth or a tooth and gums. Other times a cavity has grown and become painful or the dental pulp has become infected.  We can treat all of these problems and help you to feel better. 

The reason, that root canals are such common emergency procedures, is due to why a tooth starts hurting in the first place.  In order to experience a sharp and sudden toothache, your nerves need to be touched or impacted in some way.  When the dental pulp or soft center of your tooth becomes infected, it will lead to this level of discomfort because the tooth roots run through the dental pulp. Many people schedule an appointment due to the resulting toothache.

If you need this emergency dentistry procedure, we will start by giving you sedation so that you can feel comfortable during the entire appointment.  We will then make a small hole in the tooth in order to remove the infected dental pulp.  If your roots are infected, we will remove them as well so that the infection cannot spread into the jawbone and floor of the mouth.  While root canals have a reputation for being uncomfortable, thanks to sedation, you can have the infection removed comfortably.  This is important because it will eliminate the discomfort you are feeling and help to save your tooth from needing to be pulled.

After the infection, has been removed, and the area cleaned we will fill the hole and restore any missing tooth structure with a tooth-colored filling. This will ensure that no bacteria or food can enter the hole created during the procedure.  Simultaneously, your tooth may need further strengthening, and if it does, a dental crown will be used.  A crown can be made of silver amalgam or ceramic so that it can fit any tooth and blend in perfectly.  A crown is an excellent solution because nothing can touch the natural tooth.

As an emergency dentist, we also use crowns to restore teeth that have been cracked or chipped in a car wreck, sports injury, or on the job.  It is incredibly common for teeth to become injured during these normal activities.  While most people don’t think about their tooth getting damaged while playing basketball, it happens all of the time.  

Another common occurrence is teeth getting knocked out during these same activities.  Teeth are held in place by a root system that is incredibly strong but when blunt force interacts with your tooth, it can get knocked out even if your teeth are otherwise healthy.  As an emergency dentist, there are ways that we can save a tooth that has been knocked out but in order to do so, you have to visit the dentist right away.  If you find yourself in one of these situations or with a toothache, give us a call.