Invisalign® vs Braces – Choosing the Best Option

Invisalign® vs braces? Deciding between the two can be confusing. While consulting with your Finger Lakes doctor is crucial, this post guides you through the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners: Discreet Comfort and Convenience

• Invisible Transformation: Nearly undetectable aligners let you flash your perfect smile with confidence.
• Removable Flexibility: Eat, drink, and brush with ease by simply taking them out, making oral hygiene a breeze.
• Enhanced Comfort: Custom-crafted aligners minimize mouth and gum discomfort compared to metal braces.

Drawbacks of Invisalign® Clear Aligners:

• Discipline Demands: Remember to reinsert aligners after eating or cleaning to avoid hindering progress.
• Loss Prevention: Careful handling is key to avoid losing or damaging delicate aligners.
• Complexity Limitations: Aligners may not be suitable for all teeth-straightening needs. Consult with Dr. [Doctor’s name] for a personalized assessment.

Metal Braces: The Powerhouse for Complex Transformations

• No Limits, No Exceptions: Braces tackle even the most intricate alignment issues, ensuring a successful outcome.
• Quicker Correction: Achieve your desired smile potentially faster thanks to the powerful force of braces.

Metal Braces: Considerations to Keep in Mind

• Visible Presence: Embracing braces is a commitment to a temporarily less discreet smile.
• Potential Discomfort: Initial adjustments and occasional wire changes can cause some discomfort.
• Eating and Cleaning Challenges: Fixed braces require extra care when eating and flossing.

Finding Your Perfect Smile Solution

Invisalign® vs braces–whats the verdict? For individuals seeking a less conspicuous and comfortable teeth-straightening journey, clear aligners like Invisalign® offer a compelling option. However, complex cases may require the effectiveness of braces. Ultimately, a consultation with your doctor at one of our five Finger Lakes Dental Care locations will help you discover the perfect smile solution for your needs.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Contrary to what the movies might tell you, there are other ways to knock out a tooth than getting into a fistfight. As one of the most common dental emergencies knocked out or avulsed teeth can occur due to simple falls, face injuries, contact sports, and more. While this ailment is common, only about 9 percent of adults in the U.S. know what to do if it happens.

If you find yourself with an avulsed tooth, not all hope is lost but you must act fast. Ideally, you should see your dentist within 30 minutes after losing the tooth or teeth, however, reimplantation has occurred after over an hour. With these steps, you can be prepared and have greater chances of salvaging your lost tooth!

Locate and pick up the tooth by the crown.

Under NO circumstances should you pick the tooth up by the roots. Hold the tooth at the crown (chewing surface). Be very gentle when handling the tooth and do your best not to damage the roots for greater chances of reimplantation. 

If the tooth is dirty, rinse gently with water.

Rinse the tooth very briefly, no more than 10 seconds, only using lukewarm water. Do not use chemicals or soaps. Even too much tap water can kill the root cells that are needed for successful reimplantation. Do not dry the tooth, wipe it off, or place it in a paper towel.

Attempt to place the tooth back in the socket.

Placing the tooth back in the socket is the most important next step until you can get to your dentist. If the lost tooth is wholly intact from root to crown, attempt to place the tooth back in the socket right away. Holding it by the crown, push the tooth into the socket gently. Hold the tooth in place with your fingers or very gently bite down.

Keep the tooth moist at all times.

It is imperative that you do not let the tooth dry out, keeping it moist at all times. If the tooth will not go back into the socket, you have a couple of options. According to the Mayo Clinic, placing the tooth in your cheek is the best and most natural alternative to placing it back in the socket. You can also place the tooth in milk or an over-the-counter emergency tooth preservation kit if you have quick access to it. 

See your dentist within 30 minutes of the injury.

After your tooth has been knocked completely out of the socket, the nerve is severed and the blood supply is lost, meaning you do not have much time before that nerve dies completely, hence the urgency. Contact your local Finger Lakes Dental Care office immediately to inquire about our emergency services. Though it’s unlikely, if the dentist cannot see you in time, go to the emergency room.

Depending on the damage, it can take a tooth anywhere from 1-8 weeks to successfully reattach into the socket. After the tooth has healed, there should be no need for further services besides your regular check-ups. If the tooth is unable to be reimplanted, your dentist will most likely discuss tooth replacement options, such as a dental bridge or dental implant, with you after the socket has healed. 

To prevent having to actually do any of this in the future, make sure you’re always taking precautions to protect your mouth. If you play a contact sport, be sure you are wearing a mouthguard not only in games but in practice as well. When life happens, however, you can now be prepared and potentially save yourself from a much more invasive and costly procedure. At Finger Lakes Dental Care, we want you fully equipped with the knowledge you need to take care of your oral health. 

High-End Dentistry in Canandaigua, Henrietta, Naples, Palmyra, and Victor, NY

When you visit the dentist, you may notice them using certain technology. These dental technologies can include anything from X-ray machines to CEREC® machines. All of the dental technology we use in-office helps streamline the process of visiting the dentist.

Types of Dental Technology

Digital X-rays

If you’ve ever visited a dentist before, you most likely have gotten x-rays taken. Digital X-rays are a standard practice at most dental offices. These digital X-rays save time and are safe for any patient.

Cone Beam Computed Technology (CBCT)

CBCT scanning allows our team to create images of your teeth, face, and neck with just one scan. These images are high-quality and help us gather detailed information to best diagnose every patient. The CBCT machine rotates once around your head while you stand or sit. It is a quick, simple, and painless process!

CEREC®

CEREC® stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic. CEREC® creates a state-of-the-art way of reconstructing tooth restorations. For patients who are in need of crowns, CEREC® makes it possible to walk out of the office with a new tooth in just one visit! This dental technology has revolutionized ceramic restorations so there is no waiting period preparing the restoration and receiving the final product.

Intraoral Camera

Intraoral cameras give our team a detailed view of your mouth in pictures and videos. This dental technology is useful for putting specific problem areas on the screen so we can see them in greater detail.

What Dental Technologies are Offered at Practice Name?

At Finger Lakes Dental Care, we offer dental technology to streamline our dental process as much as possible. We use the following technology in our practice:

• Digital X-rays
• Intraoral Camera
• iTero Digital Scanner

If you have any questions about dental technology, or what we use at our practice, please contact one of our five office locations and we will happily answer any of your questions.