Archive for the ‘Invisalign’ Category

Is a “Snap-On Smile” a good choice for me?

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Hello,
I’ve heard of this kind of dental appliance that you can put over your teeth, and that it can temporarily make it look like you’ve got the perfect smile. I’ve got a class reunion coming up, and I really want to make an impression, but extensive dental work is not in my budget.

First question is, what is this appliance called? Where can I get one, or talk to someone about how much they cost, how they really look when they are done, and whether or not they have to do anything to my teeth for me to wear it? How long does it take to get one?

Thanks for your help,

Grady in Manchester, New Hampshire

Dear Grady,

You are talking about a Snap-On Smile, and it is manufactured by a dental lab in New York. Snap-On Smile appliances are a kind of temporary smile makeover. People use them sometimes as costume props for the theater, or for big events like weddings or reunions. This is not meant to be a permanent appliance.

Your dentist will have to send in a model of your teeth to the laboratory, and after that it takes about two weeks for your appliance to arrive. It should just snap right over your own teeth, with no alterations at all, and it should be fairly comfortable when in place. The Snap-On Smile will make your teeth seem larger and bulkier, so be prepared for that.

A word of caution—for best results, you should really consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist, and have them send in the model. When you get ready for a permanent solution, porcelain veneers might be an option for you.

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Fastest way to straighten teeth?

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

I am getting married in a little over a year, and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being embarrassed by the pictures! My teeth are so crooked I rarely smile, and when I do, I look uncomfortable and self-conscious.

I talked to an orthodontist who told me it would take more than two years with braces to straighten my teeth. I asked him if there wasn’t a faster way, and he kind of avoided answering. I did not feel like he was comfortable talking to me about anything except the regular braces.

Do I have any other alternatives?

Thanks,

Jordan from Kalkaska

Dear Jordan,

If the orthodontist you consulted was only comfortable talking about traditional braces, then you are smart to seek help elsewhere. Rather than consulting with a different orthodontist, you should seek the help of an accredited and experienced cosmetic dentist that can offer you some great alternatives to traditional wire-and-bracket braces.

If your teeth are crowded and crooked, two different kinds of treatment could give you a stunning smile in just a few months. Invisalign braces can straighten your teeth in as little as six to nine months, depending on how crooked they are. Even if they are very crooked, treatment with Invisalign rarely exceeds a year.

Even if your Invisalign treatment is not complete in time for your wedding, your teeth would certainly look much straighter, and the aligners could be removed for your wedding day pictures or other festivities.

The fastest solution would be porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers do not straighten your teeth, but make them appear to be in perfect alignment. This may be a great solution for you if your teeth are also stained or discolored.

A word of caution regarding veneers, though: be very, very careful when selecting your dentist! Many dentists think they can place porcelain veneers, but they lack the artistry and aesthetic sense to create a truly beautiful, natural smile makeover. Just because a dentist advertises that they do cosmetic dentistry does not mean you won’t be paying to have the whole thing redone down the road. Make sure they have received the specialized training, and have the artistic sense to do beautiful work.

The smartest thing you could do would be to talk to an expert cosmetic dentist who does porcelain veneers AND Invisalign braces. Only a dentist who is skilled in both treatments can give you a truthful, educated opinion on which procedure will work best in your individual situation.

I hope this helps!

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Posted in Crooked Teeth, Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers | No Comments »