We encourage parents to keep an eye out for certain issues such as crowded or misplaced teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or popping jaws. If you notice these issues, it is likely that your child needs to see an orthodontist.

Braces are no longer as scary as many teens might imagine. Braces today come in a variety of styles, materials and colors making life with braces easier, more comfortable and even more stylish! Patients can now choose from different treatment options like traditional metal, ceramic and invisible braces. Treatment times do vary, however. Your bodys response time and how much work is required of the orthodontist are two factors responsible in determining treatment time. Regardless of the type of braces you choose, it is important that you avoid sticky, hard or chewy foods. They may damage your braces and prolong your treatment time.

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for children and teens! In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists cites that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Furthermore,the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment is steadily growing. This is due to a new understanding of theimportance of maintaining good oral health, hence building confidence in ones appearance. Todays orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and customized to meet your needs. These come in the forms of clear braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners. Having a perfect smile is beautiful, but it is also a sign of healthy teeth and sound oral health!

Dominic A. Colarusso, Jr., DDS, is a practicing orthodontist and President of Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, PC with seven convenient offices located throughout Buffalo,Lancaster,Olean,Hamburg,Orchard Park,Dunkirk,East Aurora, andNiagara FallsNew York.

Steven J. Hietanen, DDS, is a practicing orthodontist and Vice President of Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, PC with offices located in Lancaster,Olean,Hamburg,Orchard Park,Dunkirk,East Aurora, andNiagara FallsNew York.. He is also the President of Volumentric Craniofacial Imaging Center, Hamburg, New York.

Andrew J. Dusel, DDS, is a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, PC. The offices are located in Lancaster,Olean,Hamburg,Orchard Park,Dunkirk,East Aurora, andNiagara FallsNew York.

Dr. Kevin J. Hanley is a practicing orthodontist at Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, PC with seven convenient offices located throughout Buffalo,Lancaster,Olean,Hamburg,Orchard Park,Dunkirk,East Aurora, andNiagara FallsNew York.

Despite some of the latest advances in orthodontics, many patients still react with dismay when theyre told they require braces. Over the years, traditional metal braces have earned a reputation for being unsightly, bulky, and nerdy; a stigma thats been hard to shake. Although traditional metal braces have also come a long way and are more comfortable and less visible than ever before, many young teens and adults are still on the fence about going the traditional route. The good news is that Invisalign clear aligners now offer a faster and more discrete way of straightening your teeth and giving you the smile you deserve. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Invisalign clear aligners.

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that helps teenagers and adults achieve straight, even smiles without the use of traditional or clear braces. Since Invisalign aligners are made specifically to treat each patients orthodontic needs, they are often more comfortable to wear. Invisalign is slightly more expensive than traditional braces. However, for a lot of patients, the effectiveness of the device outweighs the increased rates. You should review your dental insurance policy to determine if it covers the cost of Invisalign, but many providers accept dental insurance and have financial plans to make the smile of your dreams more affordable.

One of the things that people hate about having traditional or even clear braces is that they have to give up certain foods during treatment. With Invisalign, there are no food restrictions. One of the few times that you remove your aligners is when you are eating. Then, you clean your teeth and put your aligners back in. You can continue to eat crunchy foods, drink coffee, and eat foods with tomato based sauces. The only restriction generally given with Invisalign is to avoid chewing gum, which sticks to the aligners.

If you are worried about the pain that is often associated with the use of traditional braces, then you should consider Invisalign. Although some patients report minor discomfort in the first few days of a using a new aligner, it is generally far less uncomfortable than traditional or clear braces. Patients often report it not as feeling painful, but as a feeling of pressure in their mouth.

Invisalign is clear and easy to use. The aligners are great for people who are worried about the attention that they may get from wearing traditional braces. Since they look and fit similar to a custom whitening tray, they are not as noticeable during treatment. Some patients do report having a small lisp during the first few days of treatment. However, this goes away as your tongue learns to navigate in your mouth with the aligners.

Your orthodontist will take dental impressions of your teeth as well as measure them. He or she will take X-rays to determine the root positioning for your teeth. Finally, the orthodontist will take a series of photos to help document the progress of your treatment. Your orthodontist will send the information about your bite and your teeth to Invisalign, which will create a digital simulation of the movement your teeth will undergo with treatment. Your orthodontist will review this digital simulation to ensure that it is correct for you. Once approved, Invisalign will make your aligners.

You will wear each set of aligners for just a few weeks and visit the orthodontist every four to six weeks to monitor your progress. Invisalign also has a custom cleaning kit for your aligners. Although you can remove your aligners and clean them with a toothbrush, the custom cleaning kit is still important. At the end of your treatment, you may require the use of retainers in order to keep your teeth in their new places.

Invisalign has emerged as an innovative way to bypass many of the issues commonly associated with braces in helping people to straighten their teeth. If you are curious about whether you may be a good candidate for Invisalign, Orthodontists Associates of Western New York offers complimentary screenings, and we gladly help all our patients to achieve perfect smiles.

Watch the following educational video to see Dr. Andrew J. Dusel of Orthodontists Associates of WNY explain why early screening is the best way to detect problems when they are most treatable, and before they get worse!