Happy New Year from Fry Orthodontic Specialists!

The question: “Is Invisalign right for me?” is one that I seem to get every day. Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth without braces. Invisalign at Fry Orthodontics Specialists

We have a lot of experience treating patients with Invisalign: In fact, we are one of the top 5 Invisalign offices in the world.

Braces vs. Invisalign

We stress to our patients that braces are the Gold Standard for straightening teeth. Braces are very precise in their ability to move teeth and adjust bites. Invisalign is very good at straightening teeth, but it generally falls a bit short of the precision of braces. We tell our patients that Invisalign will straighten your teeth 90% of what braces do.

Fixing Bites with Invisalign

Fixing bite problems are more difficult with Invisalign. There are many orthodontists who are researching large bite correction with Invisalign. We conducted a study with Invisalign and a bite correcting appliance called the Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA), and we had moderate success. One of our treated Invisalign/MARA patients was voted as the top 2 treated Invisalign patients of 2007, voted on by the orthodontic community. We are doing less large bite correction with Invisalign, as we have found results to be inconsistent and treatment times being very long for patients.

Knowing that large bite problems are difficult to fix with Invisalign, the largely debated question is what to do for patients who have bite problems but only want Invisalign to straighten their teeth. Our philosophy is that all patients need to be made aware of their bite problems and the options to fix them. Usually these options involve braces. Every patient has the ability and right to not choose one of those options. If a patient chooses to have Invisalign to only straighten their teeth, their oral health will still be improved and aesthetics will be enhanced.

Who is an Invisalign Candidate?

Every patient is an Invisalign candidate, as long as the expectations and goals are clear. Invisalign is not going to correct all orthodontic problems, but it is a great way to straighten teeth without braces.

Tags: Education, Invisable Braces, Invisalign, kansas city orthodontist, Orthodontic treatment, Orthodontics, patient care