- Invisalign
- Traditional Braces
- Clear Braces
- Invisalign for Teens
- Retention
- iTero®️ Intraoral Scanner
- Adult Treatment
- Braces For Teens
- I-CAT FLX 3D Imaging
- Dental Monitoring
- Palatal Expander
- Orthodontic Retention
Invisalign
Invisalign® is a modern alternative to straighten your teeth without wires or metal. Invisalign® involves a series of custom trays designed specifically for you and the plan your dentist or orthodontist creates to move your teeth. The trays are made from a smooth plastic that covers your teeth and gradually moves them into place.
Traditional Braces
Even though there are many types of braces, traditional braces are still the most popular option. Great strides in technology have been made since they were first used, so they are becoming more comfortable and effective.
Traditional braces use stainless steel brackets and archwires to move your teeth into their proper position. Many teenagers like to decorate their braces with different colored rubber bands to give them a colorful and unique smile. You can choose a new color (or colors) during every adjustment!
Clear Braces
Most teens and adults are reluctant to get the orthodontic care they need due to the appearance of orthodontic appliances. That’s why we offer clear braces, which are much less noticeable than metal braces, but still give patients a smile they deserve.
Clear aligners are not the same as clear braces. Clear aligners are plastic trays that you wear over your teeth, like a shell. Clear braces are just like metal braces, but they are almost invisible. Clear braces have many advantages. They are almost invisible, giving patients who do not want the look of traditional braces another alternative.
Despite all of the advantages, there are some disadvantages to consider, too. They are typically more costly than traditional metal braces, though we offer payment plans for all patients. They can also become discolored by tea, coffee, wine, and other foods. Smoking can also cause discoloration.
Invisalign for Teens
Many teenagers are affected by malocclusions that need to be corrected. However, the thought of going through high school with braces may be your teen’s worst nightmare. Luckily, Invisalign Teen® can be very helpful. Your teenager can get the smile that he or she deserves without bulky wires and brackets.
Invisalign Teen® uses clear aligners, so nobody will even know they are wearing them. As long as your teenager wears them for at least twenty-two hours a day, they will get proper treatment without the embarrassment of wires and braces. Even better, your teenager will be able to remove the aligners when it is time to eat, allowing them unlimited food choices. There are no restrictions that usually come with braces, like avoiding corn on the cob. Once they are finished eating, however, it is essential to brush their teeth AND the aligners to ensure fresh breath and a healthy mouth.
Retention
After you have worn your braces for the appropriate amount of time, we move into the retention stage of your treatment. It is VERY important not to skip this step, or all of your hard work will not pay off as you had hoped. Your teeth may shift around or move back to where they were instead of staying in place.
During retention, you will have to wear retainers as your teeth adjust to staying in their new place without braces. You should wear your retainers as recommended by your dentist. Some should be worn only at night, while others need to be worn almost all of the time.
Brushing your teeth is easier in this phase, since the retainers are removable. All you have to do is remove your retainer, and then you will be able to brush your teeth better than you were able to when you had braces. You should also brush your retainer thoroughly before placing it back to your mouth.
iTero®️ Intraoral Scanner
We take pride in providing modern, high quality care so you can have the smile you deserve. We are constantly updating our equipment in order to provide patients with state-of-the-art dental care. One of our newest pieces of equipment is our iTero 3D scanner. It allows us to take images of your smile. We can also use it to show you the results you can get with Invisalign®.
The largest benefit of producing images with our scanner is that you won’t have to get impressions made, which can be quite unpleasant. You won’t have to deal with the unpleasant taste of the gooey material, or the discomfort of the molding trays. Instead, the scanning process is quite comfortable, and you can breathe normally during the procedure.
Adult Treatment
No matter your age, you deserve a smile that gives you confidence. Braces are not just for children anymore. With the latest advancements in technologies, we can get you the smile you deserve! Here at Paul Austin Orthodontics, we work hard to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. We offer several different treatments that can be effective no matter how old you are. More and more orthodontic treatments are becoming available to give adults the smile that they want.
Orthodontic treatments are not just for your smile. Fixing your teeth can also dramatically change your oral health. When you have crooked teeth or a malocclusion (uneven bite), you may be prone to oral health problems such as gum disease and tartar buildup.
Braces For Teens
Braces are not as scary as most teens think. Technology has advanced a lot in recent years, providing us with newer styles of braces. The result is a faster, more comfortable, and more effective treatment. Braces come in different colors, styles, and materials, so your teen can customize their look and express their personality.
The first thing most patients wonder when they have to get braces is how long will they have to wear them. There is no easy answer to this question because it depends on several factors. For example, it depends on how early we catch the problem, what needs to be fixed, how your teeth respond to treatment, and how willing you are to follow directions.
It is typically recommended that children begin seeing an orthodontist at the age of seven. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier the problem can be to treat. There are also times when we find a problem, but may have put off treatment until they are older.
I-CAT 3D Imaging
Here at Paul Austin Orthodontics, we are proud to offer i-CAT Cone Beam 3D Dental Imaging.
We are dedicated to staying up to date with the latest dental advances. One way we do this is by offering i-CAT dental imaging.
Our i-CAT offers our patients images quickly. Our dentists are able to diagnose our patients better, catching problems sooner than they would be able to with only traditional imaging. It allows us to view your teeth, roots, airways, and even sinuses in less than ten seconds. We are also able to monitor TMD.
By using i-CAT imaging, we are able to diagnose and treat our patients quicker so that they don’t have to spend as much time in our office. We can view the images in just a few seconds instead of minutes, so we can start treatment right away!
If you have any questions about our i-CAT imaging, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (310) 393-8233.
Dental Monitoring
We are so happy to provide you with Dental Monitoring! Dental Monitoring is the revolutionary App that allows your doctor to follow-up on your dental treatment and observe your intraoral situation remotely, just like if you were in the practice. This device will enable you to continue treatment from the comforts of your home.