Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Can a Teenager Use Invisalign?

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My daughter needs braces. She told me that all of her friends that got their teeth straightened used Invisalign and no one can even see they’re wearing them. I asked my dentist about it and he said it’s for adults and not teenagers and that I’m better off taking her to an orthodontist. He recommended someone. They have the same last name, which could be a coincidence, but I’m suspicious because her friends are definitely using Invisalign.

Gina

Dear Gina,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

Out of curiosity, does your dentist typically offer Invisalign? Though I cannot be certain, my suspicion is that he does not. The reason I say this is because teenagers can definitely use Invisalign. My guess is that he was steering you toward orthodontics because that won’t send you to another dentist but a different specialty. If he sent you to a dentist who did do Invisalign, you might not return to him. The similar last name could be coincidence, but given his lack of honesty with the treatment scope, I am suspicious.

I would simply look up Invisalign dentists in your area and take her there for treatment. Some things to be aware of. You know your daughter better than anyone else, so only you can answer these questions. Unlike braces, Invisalign is removable. That means it requires patient compliance. If you think she will be responsible and wear them the amount of time each day that the treatment requires, you should be fine to go with that procedure.

It has a high patient satisfaction rate and is both more comfortable and faster than traditional braces.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

A Second Opinion on Invisalign?

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I understood that Invisalign was a good option for adults who wanted to straighten their teeth. I’ve had several friends use it with great success. I didn’t think my teeth were much worse than theirs, but when I went to see my dentist about it he told me that it wasn’t good at fixing misaligned teeth and I should just get braces. Is that accurate? I’d like to get a second opinion. If it is, what are my options?

Peter

Dear Peter,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

I’m not sure why your dentist said that Invisalign was not a good option for fixing misalignments. This is exactly what the aligners were made for. Please understand, I do not know who your dentist is, so I cannot tell you definitively if this is the case, but two things come to mind as possible reasons for saying it was not a good option.

The first is that he has not kept up with the developments in the dental field very well. While it is true that when Invisalign first came onto the market it was only useful for the most ideal of cases, now it is able to handle all but the most complicated of cases. Your dentist simply may not be aware of this.

The second is that he does not offer Invisalign and, if he refers you to a dentist who does, you may switch dentists permanently instead of just for this procedure.

My suggestion is that you find a dentist who does do the procedure and have your teeth straightened there. As a side note, the aligners used to straighten your teeth are also able to double as teeth whitening trays. This means you can straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. You’d simply have to ask your dentist to provide you with the whitening gel and then wear it inside your aligners at your convenience.

Just make sure to have your teeth professionally cleaned before starting the whitening. Otherwise the results will end up blotchy.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.
Click here to read why many patients consider him an affordable dentist.

Fixing Protruding Teeth

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I finally have some money to fix my teeth. Mostly I am dealing with some front teeth that stick out. I’m not opposed to braces, but I am 53 and wondering if there is something better for someone my age? I know I’m a little late to the game in getting my teeth straightened. I just want a pretty smile for once.

Sylvia

Dear Sylvia,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

There is no late to the game when it comes to a beautiful smile. You get there when you can. I know a woman who is straightening her teeth in her 80s. Looking at it that way, you’re ahead of the game. You have a couple of options. The first is traditional braces, which you have already mentioned.

However, I would like to recommend you look into Invisalign (pictured above). This uses clear aligners to straighten your teeth. No one will know you are even using orthodontics. They are invisible even at a conversational distance. They are more comfortable than traditional braces and work in half the time.

There is an additional benefit to using Invisalign instead of traditional braces. The clear aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This way you can straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time for a fraction of the cost. Your dentist will just have to provide you with the whitening gel, which you can wear in the aligners at your convenience.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

How Often Do I Need to See an Invisalign Dentist?

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I have been saving up for Invisalign treatment for a while. I have all the money ready. However, since then, we have moved. Our new location is two and a half hours away from the nearest Invisalign dentist. I know that we get aligners every two weeks. The problem I have is the distance. That would be five hours just in driving. On top of that I would have to add the time for the actual appointment, gas stops, and I’d probably need to eat and use the restroom at some point. I have four kids and don’t want to drag them on such a long trip every two weeks. It’s also not tenable for me to hire a sitter so often. Is there a way a dentist would be willing to work with me on maybe not coming quite so often?

Sylvia

Dear Sylvia,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

I am glad that you wrote. You certainly have your hands full. You’re also extremely disciplined if you were able to save up that money while meeting the needs of four children. That’s impressive!

You should know that while you switch out the Invisalign aligners every two weeks, we generally give you two pairs of aligners so that you are only actually coming in once a month. However, given your situation, you may be able to get your dentist to stretch that out even further. A lot of that would depend on how complex your particular case is. If there isn’t anything that would require a lot of monitoring, your dentist may be able to give you a few months worth at a time.

You should know that Invisalign aligners can also double as teeth whitening trays. I don’t know if that is something you are even interested in or need. If you are, it is a great way to save some extra money by knocking two procedures out at once. Plus, because the aligners can fill in for the bleaching trays, you will not have to worry about the additional cost of have bleaching trays made. The only thing you’d have to pay for is the bleaching gel itself, which is not very expensive.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.
See why he is considered an affordable dentist.

Smile Direct Ditched Me

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I was a patient of SmileDirectClub and then in December they went out of business. I thought they would at least send me the remaining aligners, but that hasn’t been the case. I’ve been wearing the same ones since then. What do I do? Is there another company like them?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

A SmileDirectClub image with an X through it

Are you sure you want another company like them? The problem with SmileDirectClub, is their product only worked for some people. If it didn’t work and you complained about it, you would not get a refund unless you removed your complaint and signed a non-disclosure agreement. This, in part, is what put them out of business.

So many people had things go wrong, that eventually there was a court case that ruled they could no longer require those non-disclosure agreements, plus it released about 17,000 that were already in effect. This allowed clients to share their negative experiences and the company went into bankruptcy shortly after that.

They’ve told their clients, that they will no longer be helping them. If they’re in the middle of treatment, too bad. However, they do expect those who were on a payment plan to continue paying. Nice, right?

Any other mail order service, like SmileDirect, is going to have similar problems. The reason for this is every human body is unique. Sometimes our body’s follows the treatment plan to a tee. Most times, adjustments need to be made as we progress. When you are not under the care of a dentist, these needed adjustments get missed. That puts the health of your teeth in danger. They could even come loose.

My suggestion is to finish out your treatment, do it through an Invisalign dentist. This will give you the care you need. As a bonus, the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays, so you can save some extra money by getting some professional strength whitening gel from your dentist and having your teeth whitening done at the same time as your get your teeth straightened.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Teeth Whitening and Tooth Mousse for White Spots

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I have some white spots on my teeth ever since I had my braces off. I was a bit late getting my teeth straightened as I didn’t have the money until recently. My dentist is suggesting I do tooth mousse for a couple of months and then follow it up with teeth whitening. Is this the right plan for me? I don’t have any reason not to trust the dentist, it is more I have an off feeling about things and have learned to trust my gut. So, I’m seeking another opinion before moving forward.

Avery

Dear Avery,

Teeth whitening trays in a blue case

I am glad you wrote. Your gut serves you well. White spots, especially after braces are signs of decalcification. This takes place because your braces made it a bit tricky to really get in there and brush. Bacteria got trapped and decalcified those spots. These are precursors to decay and can do some serious damage to your teeth.

While your dentist is giving it the “old college try”, I would say that he is about 50% correct in how he is handling this. Tooth mousse is designed to help remineralize teeth, but does not always work. It would not hurt to try this.

As for teeth whitening, in this case he is completely wrong. While teeth whitening does wonderful things for making your teeth look whiter, brighter, and even younger, it will whiten your teeth evenly. This means that your white spots will get whiter along with the remainder of your teeth. That is not the solution you are looking for.

The best way to deal with white spots is with microabrasion and dental bonding. However, this will require an expert cosmetic dentist. If you want whiter teeth, go ahead and do that, but afterward you’ll need to have the dental bonding done. Do not do the bonding first, because it will not whiten along with your teeth.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Can Invisalign Cause TMJ Problems

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I’ve been using Invisalign for about three months now and most of the time it is awesome. One thing that does worry me is that whenever I put in a brand new pair of aligners, it causes my jaw to ache for a few days. Is it possible that this treatment is actually causing me to develop TMJ Disorder? My friend who has that said her first symptom was her jaw aching.

Missy

Dear Missy,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

TMJ Disorder is when there is a problem with the temporomandibular joint in your jaw. It’s the hinge joint. Sometimes, TMJ problems can be caused by having a bite that is out of alignment. However, you are working to straighten your teeth and are getting them in alignment, so that would not be an issue. In fact, sometimes orthodontics is the “cure” for TMJ Disorder.

Of course, it is possible, if you went to a horrible orthodontist who provided you with braces that messed up your bite, you could end up with some TMJ problems. However, Invisalign is designed with sophisticated computer software and is more accurate than what you would normally get.

What is Causing the Ache?

So, if Invisalign is so awesome why is your jaw aching when you first pop in those new aligners? The most likely cause is that your teeth are shifting. In the first couple of days when you place in your newest set of aligners, you will notice that they are a bit snug. That is because they are shifting your teeth into the new position. After two or three days, the aligners will feel looser and the aching will subside. This is because they are now in the next designated position for your treatment plan.

Don’t Try to Speed Up Your Treatment

Some patients, in an effort to speed up their treatment, will put in the next pair of aligners as soon as their new ones loosen up a bit. However, this is a dangerous thing to do. Yes, your teeth are in their new position. However, the remainder of the time you are supposed to wear those aligners is so the bone has time to integrate with the teeth in the newer position.

If you don’t give it that time, there will gradually be an ever widening gap between your teeth roots and the bone, which can cause your teeth to come loose and even fall out. So, make sure you use them as prescribed.

If the achiness of the first few days is getting to you, I have a couple of recommendations that should help. First, you can try changing out your aligners at night, so you can sleep through most of the initial achiness. A second thing you can do is take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory.

A Secret Benefit to Invisalign

Did you know that your Invisalign aligners can actually double as teeth whitening trays? This means you can straighten and whiten your teeth simultaneously at a fraction of the cost it would normally be. Simply ask your dentist for some professional strength teeth whitening gel and wear it in your aligners at your convenience.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Is Smile Care Club a Good Option?

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I recently saw an advertisement for Smile Care Club on Facebook. It seemed like the people are really happy with the results they received, though they could be just paid actors. It is cheaper than Invisalign so I was wondering if it is as good a deal as I am hoping?

Drake

Dear Drake,

Smile Direct Club Ad

I’m glad you wrote. This company was founded in 2013 as an inexpensive alternative to Invisalign. Like Invisalign, they use clear aligners to straighten your teeth. It is cheaper than Invisalign. For some people, it works out. When it does, you can save a lot of money. However, there is a lot that can go wrong with their method.

Before Invislaign treatment, you have an examination to make certain your gums are healthy. If you have gum disease and have orthodontics done, it will exacerbate the condition and you risk losing your teeth. The way Smile Care Club is so much less expensive is they eliminate regular visits with the dentist. You will send in a picture and a dentist will look at it and “determine” whether or not you have gum disease. I have little confidence that they can tell this from an image.

Two other issues that require a dentist are overcrowding and possible problems. One of the major reasons people need orthodontics, to begin with, is overcrowding. That can mean you will need some teeth extracted or shaved to make room for the teeth to move into their correct position. How Smile Care Club handles this is by sending you to a dentist to whom they pay a straight fee. This dentist will not be invested in you or your case. Shaving teeth takes some skill and if it is not done right you will end up with a weird-looking smile. You want a dentist who cares about how your smile ends up.

If your teeth don’t cooperate, which happens more than you would think, a dentist can restructure the treatment. With Smile Care Club, you won’t even really know that it is not going according to plan because no one is regularly examining you.

As for the people praising them, that would be the people where it worked out, which does happen. However, Smile Care Club has a reputation for squelching negative reviews by only offering a refund if they do not say anything negative about the company.

In my opinion, while you could save money with Smile Care Club, you want to be careful because you could end up with a disaster.

This blog is brought to you Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Invisalign and Missing Teeth

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If I have missing teeth, can I still get Invisalign? I’ve seen an orthodontist for a consultation and he said Invisalign only works on the most ideal cases, but my dentist thinks I can still get Invisalign if I want to. I’m not sure which is right. They both have “motive” to get my money. Hahaha. As I live in a completely different state from you and you can’t get any of my money, do you think Invisalign is possible for me?

Elinore

Dear Elinore,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

I like your style. It is always a good idea to ask for your advice from someone who cannot benefit from the answer given. While it used to be in its early days that Invisalign only worked on the easiest cases, there have been quite a few advancements in the technology and it is now on the opposite ends of the spectrum where it works on all but the most complicated cases.

Invisalign does fine working around missing teeth, so you shouldn’t have any problems with Invisalign if that is the most complicated thing about your case. So, you may be wondering why your orthodontist was saying it cannot. I don’t think it was a completely financial answer. Orthodontists were trained to work with braces. They have more confidence in working with that procedure. He’s telling you what HE can do the best job with.

If you decide to get Invisalign, you should know there is one other hidden benefit to Invisalign. The clear aligners they use can also double as teeth whitening trays. This means, if you want to, you can straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. It is like getting a mini smile makeover for a fraction of the cost.

I would consult with the Invisalign dentist you choose about replacing the teeth. In some cases, the teeth can just be shifted, depending on the placement of the teeth, without it having a negative impact on your smile. However, in some cases, your dentist will need to open up space for you to replace those teeth. In that case, you can replace the teeth once your case is done. The best tooth replacement is a dental implant. However, one step at a time.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Orthodontist Shaved My Son’s Teeth

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I’m fuming after a visit to the orthodontist. I took my 12-year-old son in to get started with orthodontic treatment. The doctor said it would be a longer visit because they were getting everything set up, but didn’t really elaborate on everything they’d be doing. It may be on me, but I didn’t clarify. I just thought he was getting braces put on. Come to find out, AFTER the appointment no less, that the dentist shaved his teeth. I had to hear about the procedure from my son. I thought he was mistaken when he came out and told me what they’d done, so I corrected him, and the assistant then told me what my son was saying was accurate. She said it was normal for treatment and that they do it with all their patients. Now, on top of everything else, I’m worried about the long-term damage the orthodontist may have caused. Why did he do this and can it be fixed?

Signed,

Not Ok in OK

Dear Not Ok,

Smiling young woman with braces

Why Did the Orthodontist “Shave Teeth?”

This is done to make space. Once the dentist measures out how much space is there and how much space is necessary for all the teeth once they’re in alignment, it becomes apparent if more space needs to be made. There are several ways to make space, such as palatal expanders and tooth extractions, but reducing the width of teeth is common as well. In short, if the dentist removes just the tiniest amount of structure on the sides of each tooth, it adds up to a fair amount of space overall. This may have been the easiest and least invasive method for your son. It’s referred to as “interproximal reduction.”

Interproximal Reduction is Safe

Although each dentist has his own toolkit he draws upon for various cases, interproximal reduction often earns a place in the toolkit because it is a safe and fast choice. True, some of your son’s enamel is gone now. Nothing will bring it back. However, if the reduction was such that your son would be at an increased risk for decay now, the dentist would have protected the surface with dental bonding. You can confirm if this was necessary with the dentist.

The Dentist Should Have Spoken with You

Despite the fact that this is a safe and trusted procedure, the dentist should have explained it to you in advance. He’s required to get “informed consent” before procedures are carried out, and if he didn’t fully inform you, then you didn’t give consent. That’s not ok. It’s possible he glossed over it or the detail was lost amid all the new information you were being given at the time, but if you’re 100% certain he didn’t discuss it, or even think he should have been more direct about it, then you should mention it to him. Again, it doesn’t sound like his practice was off, but if he’s missing the mark in communication, he needs to address that.

This post was sponsored by Dr. Ryan Noah, a Tulsa orthodontic treatment provider.