As a practitioner who understands the pace at which technology advances, Dr. Thomas continues his education regularly through participation in meetings, lectures, and hands-on training. It also gives him the opportunity to interact with his peers and learn about different perspectives on treatment modalities. Dr. Thomas bases all treatment decisions on scientifically-based evidence, not bending to what is fashionable or trendy. This ensures that his patients not only receive the highest quality of care, but also the most beautiful results as well.

Home is where his heart is. Dr. Thomas is thrilled to be back in the wonderful community where he grew up. He and his wife, Sarah, have three wonderful children. In his free time, Dr. Thomas enjoys being with his family, golf, playing basketball, reading, and hiking through our beautiful national parks. He believes in living life to its fullest, spending quality time with his family, and doing his very best at any job he undertakes.

How long do you have to wear braces? Every case is unique. Some people only need to wear braces for 6 months while others may need them for over 2 years. Typically, traditional braces will need to be worn between 18 months to 24 months. A few factors that may contribute to wearing braces for a longer period of time include dental conditions such as malocclusion, gaps, and overlapping teeth. The entire process can take longer if a patient needs to go through a two-phase treatment process to correct issues like crowding or tooth removal.

Are braces painful? For the most part, braces arent painful. When most of our patients get their braces affixed for the first time, they say that they feel some soreness from the pressure being placed on their teeth. This discomfort typically lasts for 1 or 2 days as your teeth adjust to their new position. The metal brackets and wires are also known to cause mild discomfort if they poke into your mouth. Patients can use dental wax to keep sharp objects from protruding into their mouth, cheek, or gums. If you experience severe pain, reach out to us immediately. Braces are meant to help you, not hurt you!

At what age do people get braces? Adolescents and teenagers typically get braces between the ages of 12 and 18. The reason this time period is so popular is because adult teeth are still developing. This makes it easier for us to mold your teeth into their optimal position. However, anyone can get braces! Braces can not only improve your confidence, but also your dental health. By aligning your teeth we can prevent teeth grinding and fix your bite so that cleaning your teeth is even easier, too. Remember, its completely normal to get orthodontics as an adult, and it can even be beneficial for people to wait until after they remove their wisdom teeth.

Can I eat normally with braces? Braces are meant to add little to no obstruction to your everyday life, but there are certain foods that are not nice to braces. Overly acidic foods should not be eaten to prevent the corrosion of the glue that holds your metal brackets onto your teeth. Sticky and crunchy foods such as caramel and apples should also be eaten sparingly due to the issue of cleaning each individual bracket. So, if you love chips and gummy bears, hold off on chowing down on those until your braces come off.

Dr. Michael Thomas is a certified Invisalign provider. Even better, he is a Platinum Plus Invisalign provider!This means that when you choose MI Smile Journey Orthodontics for your Invisalign treatment needs in Michigan, youre getting care from one of the most talented and results-driven orthodontists in Saginaw and Frankenmuth.

Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable trays that gently move your teeth into their optimal position. The reason theyre so popular is because not only are they virtually invisible when you wear them, but they also make it easier to brush and floss.

So, how does it work? Invisalign works by providing a small amount of tooth movement with each aligner tray. Each tray is customized to the specific treatment plan our doctors set out for you. Youll wear them set of aligners for one week.

Pro Tip: Its recommended to remove your Invisalign aligners when eating or drinking and brushing your teeth. Just remember, never put them in a napkin as thats the fastest way to accidentally toss it out.

Once youve decided to move forward with the Invisalign process, well use a 3D scanner to take detailed images of your teeth. These 3D images will help us generate a series customized aligners for your teeth. The awesome part about Invisalign clear aligners is that they are custom-made to fit your teeth as well as your gums. This process ensures us that these aligners will fit comfortably in your mouth.

We recommend you wear your aligners as often as possible between 20 to 22 hours a day and only remove them for eating, flossing, or brushing your teeth. Its important that you remove your Invisalign aligners if youre drinking anything other than water. This will help you minimize your chances of developing tooth decay or staining your aligners. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth normally after every meal.

Once youve completed treatment, youll receive TWO sets of upper & lower retainers to help stabilize the correction & ensure youve got a backup pair at the ready! Dont worry it will not be necessary to wear this retainer all day like you did with your Invisalign aligners. Instead, youll only need to wear this retainer at night. Of course, if you want to wear it more than that, its up to you!

What is Invisalign? Move over metal braces. Invisalign is here. Invisalign clear aligners have been around since the early 2000s. Since then, theyve become even more advanced, providing cutting-edge teeth alignment treatment with the least amount of changes to your normal life, and how you see yourself.

No wires. No brackets. No worries. Invisalign aligners are completely clear and were specifically designed to align your teeth gradually. Best of all, these aligners can be removed when you brush, floss, eat, drink, and for special events. But, for them to really work, you need to wear them for at least 20 hours a day. After all, the more you wear them, the faster your smile journey will go.

How does Invisalign work? First, Dr. Thomas will create a custom treatment plan just for you. Then, over the course of treatment, youll be supplied with a series of aligners for each stage of your treatment. Each aligner will make slight adjustments to your tooth position charted out in your custom treatment plan. Youll change aligners about every 2 weeks.

So, heres how the aligners work: When the aligners are placed on your teeth, they cause your teeth to gradually shift from their current position to their ideal position. Each week, well tell you to switch your aligners for your next set, moving you one step closer to the smile youve always wanted.

What are aligners made of, and what do they look like? These virtually invisible aligners, which are made of a thermoplastic material uniquely developed for the Invisalign treatment plan, look similar to teeth-whitening trays. The main difference is that these trays are harder. When you sign up for Invisalign, youll get a series of custom-designed aligners made especially for your smile and your smile goals. Each aligner is based on the plan that Dr. Thomas will create for you at the beginning of treatment.

What are the benefits of using Invisalign aligners? The benefit of using Invisalign is that its the clearest form of tooth alignment treatment out there. Whats really cool is that most people wont even know youre wearing them! Aside from the clear appearance, theyre also removable, so you can enjoy all of your favorite foods without worrying about food particles getting stuck between your braces.

Will Invisalign treatment be painful? While Invisalign moves your teeth without the pain and anxiety metal braces can cause, some people experience temporary discomfort for a few days at the beginning of each new stage of treatment. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure in your mouth. Its also a sign that Invisalign is working. This discomfort typically goes away after a few days.

How often must I wear my aligners? We find that aligners are most effective when worn between 20 to 22 hours a day and removed only for eating, brushing, and flossing. Its crucial for patients to understand how important it is to keep their aligners on for the allotted time. Not wearing your aligners can extend treatment time, and no one wants that.

Who is eligible for Invisalign? Looking for Invisalign? Then youre in luck! Currently, at MI Smile Journey Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign for teens and adults. If youre thinking about Invisalign, remember that in order for the treatment to work, you have to be diligent in wearing your aligners for the appropriate amount of time (20 to 22 hours a day). Forgetting to wear your aligners can cause major delays in your treatment. So, if youre not sure if you can remember to wear them, Invisalign may not be the best choice for your smile.

Will I need retainers after getting Invisalign? Heres the truth: All orthodontic treatments require the use of retainers after completion to maintain your structural integrity and keep your teeth in their new position. Its important that you wear your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist. Failure to wear your retainers may result in your teeth moving back to their former position.

What do I do if my retainer is worn out? Its completely normal for your retainer to wear out from use. If you feel like your retainer isnt fitting right, bring it to our Saginaw or Frankenmuthour location and we can adjust it for you or help you get a new one.

So, if youre looking for a flexible, low monthly payment plan with 0% interest-free financing, weve got it and then some. At MI Smile Journey Orthodontics, we offer in-house, 0% interest-free financing with zero credit checks.

The clear choice for teens in Saginaw & Frankenmuth is clear braces. Lets face it, if you asked your teen whether or not they wanted braces, their answer would most likely be an emphatic, Duh, no. A common complaint about braces is that theyre hard to keep your teeth clean, and it affects their self-esteem and social life.

Enter: Invisalign Teen. This new Invisalign option helps even the most stubborn teens get the orthodontic care they need without sacrificing their appearance. For clear braces you can trust, look no further than MI Smile Journey Orthodontics. Were proud to offer the Invisalign Michigan teens rely on for a straight smile.

Invisalign is a type of clear braces that are made of durable plastic, making them virtually invisible while worn. The best part, most people wont even know youre wearing them. At MI Smile Journey Orthodontics, were proud to offer clear braces for everyone in Michigan.

Many teenagers and young adults are hesitant to seek out treatment to straighten their smiles. Why? Theyre afraid of the appearance of metal braces. With Invisalign Teen and clear braces, were able to offer a virtually invisible option for our patients. Another benefit of clear aligners is that theyre easier to clean and keep clean than traditional metal braces. Invisalign Teen also offers compliance indicators, which helps both teens and parents track to see if their teens aligners are being worn as often as they should be for optimal results. Pretty cool, huh!

Lots of people see Invisalign or clear braces as a more expensive option than traditional metal braces, but this isnt always the case. MI Smile Journey Orthodontics is proud to offer clear braces to all Saginaw & Frankenmuth residents at a price that makes you and your budget happy. After all, we believe everyone who wants a great smile should be able to get one. Thats why well do whatever it takes to help our patients get a smile theyll be proud to show off.