Thursday, September 24, 2015

Invisalign Vivera Retainers


Retention is an important phase of the orthodontic treatment process. After we remove your braces the retention stage of treatment begins. During this stage patients must wear a retainer to help retain the beautiful smile you and Dr. Bailey have worked hard to create.

The retention phase focuses on holding your teeth in the position they have been moved to by braces treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months. At this time you will have to wear a removable retainer, many of our patients are choosing Vivera Retainers.

What are Vivera Retainers?
Created from the makes of Invisalign, Vivera retainers are custom made clear thermoplastic retainers. The Vivera retainers work for patients who have used Inivisalign or traditional braces. These retainer are made from impressions created from our iTero digital scanner, therefore we know the fit is a perfect match for you.

Vivera Retainers are offered as a set of four custom retainers at a discounted price for patients, other benefits include:


Retainers that are 30% stronger than other clear retainers
Retainers need to be strong enough to maintain tooth position and correct minor relapse if necessary. Our testing shows that the proprietary thermoplastic material in Vivera Retainers is more than 30% stronger than other leading clear retainer materials. In fact, our retainers can self-correct (back to the final retained position) certain types of minor relapse, up to .25mm per tooth.

Retainers that are durable
Vivera lab testing indicates that many leading retainer materials begin to deform after as little as two months of simulated daytime use.  Other retainers aren’t guaranteed to protect your smiles.
Retainers that work with your retention philosophy
Whether you’re prescribed full-time wear, nights only, or a few nights a week, it is important to have the confidence that your retainer is providing consistent working retention. Vivera Retainers come with four custom retainers for four times the retention coverage.

Offers convenience
Vivera Retainers also works well for kids who go between mom and dad’s house. Patients can keep one set at each home, an extra set while traveling, or have a pair simply for peace of mind in case accidents that may occur (Pets love to eat them for some reason). After the 4 retainers have been used more are easily ordered, at an additional cost, without taking new impressions because the scan is saved.

If you have any questions about the retention process or Vivera Retainers contact our office today and we will answer any questions you may have. 


Friday, September 18, 2015

Play Hard, Play Smart


Fall sports have kicked off, from grade-school to collegiate and professional sports, and athletes are ready to get physical. If you are taking the field this fall we want you, your teeth and your appliance to be safe. How can you protect your mouth? By wearing a mouth guard.

What is a mouth guard? (source: mouthhealthy.org)
Mouth guards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw.

How mouth guards work?
They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Knowing how to prevent injuries like these is especially important if you participate
in organized sports or other recreational activities.

Why should athletes wear mouth guards?
  • A study reported by the American Academy of General Dentistry (AAGD) found that mouth guards prevent more than 200,000 injuries to the mouth and/or teeth each year.
  • Sports-related injuries often end-up in the emergency room; however, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more than 600,000 of these visits involve injury or damage to the teeth and mouth.
  • It used to be that only males were considered when it came to needing mouth guards. However, recent studies have revealed that the growing interest and participation of females in these same sports and activities makes it just as important for them to protect their teeth.

If you are one of our athlete patients please contact us to find out what type of mouth guard might be right for you and your appliance. If you have any questions about protecting your teeth give us a call and schedule an appointment, for more information about mouth guards visit www.mouthhealthy.org 


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Our Coolest Tool, The iTero Digital Scanner

One of the most advanced products, and used by our office, is our digital scanner. We utilize a digital scanner that allows us to capture digital images of your teeth and bite rather than using uncomfortable, unpleasant-tasting, messy and sometimes inaccurate impressions. In our office we use the iTero Digital Scanner. "As of March 2015, iTero scans have been used in more than 1.2 million restorative crown, bridge, and custom implant cases and more than 1.3 million iTero orthodontic scans, including more than 600,000 Invisalign® scans" (iTero.com).
Using a digital scanner allows us to create computer generated models of teeth within minutes. Unlike digital techniques, traditional techniques involve using multiple materials and steps. Patients view digital scanning as a much more comfortable process. There is much more room for efficiency and accuracy when using digital scanning. Also, it is possible for the doctor to send impressions to the lab via email rather than sending them through mail.

As stated by yourdentistryguide.com digital scanning benefits include:
Improved image/impression quality for better-fitting restorations
Less chair time
No need for distasteful impression materials that cause some patients to gag
More comfortable, less anxious experience for patients
Reduced possibility of impression-taking errors and elimination of material inaccuracies for fewer restoration mistakes
Patients tend to appreciate the new technology and state-of-the-art dental care, so they become more engaged in, and better informed about, the treatment process because they can see their impressions on-screen chairside.
The scan of the teeth being restored, as well as the opposing teeth and bite, can be completed in
just three to five minutes.
The digital impression can be stored electronically indefinitely, which saves space, contributes to efficient recordkeeping, and supports a paper-free environment.
Green dentistry and eco-friendly aspects include eliminating the need for disposable plastic trays and impression materials, which otherwise would be polluting landfill space; digital data is eliminated with the "delete" button.

To learn more about the technology and techniques used in our office call us today and schedule an appointment.