Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Don’t Like My Invisalign Dentist

by

I’m probably sounding like a prude but I don’t like my dentist who has been providing me with my Invisalign. He is crude and tells off-color jokes every time I’m there. I did mention it to the desk once and they apologized and said, “That’s his way of keeping things light.” He’s not my normal dentist anyway. Mine planned to get Invisalign certified but hadn’t done it yet, so I’ve just bee seeing the other dentist strictly for Invisalign. Do I have to stick it out with him or can I switch to another dentist? Will I have to start over? I’m happy with the Invisalign, just not the dentist.

Kim

Dear Kim,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

You don’t sound like a prude to me, just refined. That’s a good thing. It sounds like your dentist lacks some professionalism. I’m glad to hear you are happy with your Invisalign treatment, though. It has a very high patient satisfaction rate.

You can certainly switch dentists at any time, even if you are in the middle of a particular treatment. Ethical obligations require your dentist to cooperate with your new dentist by providing all the materials, scans, x-rays, treatment notes, etc. needed to continue your treatment.

While you’re looking, keep wearing your aligners. Be sure to check the dentist’s reviews to ensure you don’t end up with another dentist who makes you uncomfortable.

Invisalign Pro Tip

When you switch dentists, you can ask him to provide you with tooth whitening gel during your treatment. Many patients don’t realize their Invisalign aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This allows them to whiten and straighten their teeth simultaneously.

It’s like getting a mini smile makeover. There is only a minimal cost for the gel, which saves you money having your teeth whitened later.

Obviously, this isn’t necessary, it’s just a way to be proactive saving money down the line. Best of luck finding your new dentist.

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

Solution For My Tooth Gap

by

I have a huge tooth gap. It’s about 8mm in width. I don’t want braces. I’m too old for that. One dentist suggested snap on smile. Another suggested porcelain veneers. Which is better?

Carl

Dear Carl,

I’m very glad you wrote. I think we can prevent you from some serious disappointments here. First, I’ll go over the options you’ve been given, then I’ll make an alternate suggestion.

Snap-On Smile

image of snap-on smile

This will cover the gap you are concerned about. Snap-on Smile is a decent way of improving the look of your smile. However, I want to manage your expectations. These snap over your teeth, which some patients find make their teeth look bulky. They’re not meant to be permanent.

Usually, when well cared for, they’ll last a few years. You can eat with them, but will have to take them out afterward to rinse them off as well as brush and floss your natural teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

This is considered the top of the line smile makeover. Bear in mind it is expensive and requires someone with expertise. Your case, especially, would require one of the best cosmetic dentists in the country.

The reason for that is the size of the gap between your teeth. It’s large enough where you could fit an entire tooth there. It will have to be handled by someone at the top of their field. That will come with an additional price tag.

The pluses for this is it will look much nicer than snap-on smile and is considered a permanent solution. The veneers are bonded directly to your teeth.

Invisalign: A Better Solution

Two images: one of a woman placing her Invisalign aligner. The other, she's smling with it in.
Invisalgin is comfortable and Invisible

There is another permanent solution which won’t cost you a fortune. I know you said you didn’t want braces. When most adults think of braces, those horrible middle-school years come back to mind with a mouth full of metal wires and brackets.

Fortnately, there have been many advancements in orthodontics. We now have Invisalign. These are clear aligners which straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. They’re truly invisible, even at a conversational distance.

This can naturally close your tooth gap, giving you the smile you want. It has a side benefit too. The aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. So, if whitening is somethng you’re interested in, it’s like getting a two for one.

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

Invisalign for Spacing Problems

by

I had braces as a young teenager, but over the years I’ve had some spacing develop between some of my teeth. I don’t feel like I’d be comfortable with traditional braces at my age. In that case, would I be able to get Invisalign for this type of issue?

Andrea

Dear Andrea,

Two images: one of a woman placing her Invisalign aligner. The other, she's smling with it in.

It’s normal for our teeth to move some over the years. If your teeth and gums are healthy, you would be a fantastic candidate for Invisalign. This is a lovely way to straighten your smile without anyone even knowing you’re wearing anything. In your case, you can probably get Invisalign Express which works in even faster.

Aside from enabling you to repair your smile without anyone knowing and without a mouth full of metal, the Invisalign aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This will give you a sort of mini smile makeover.

Orthodontist Versus Dentist

It used to be that you’d have to see an orthodontist anytime you needed to straighten teeth. Now, it’s not necessary in most cases. Dentists can do Invisalign. Some even do braces. There are still times you would have to see an orthodontist when you have a very complicated case.

That’s not you, so you shouldn’t have any problems. You just need to find a dentist who provides Invisalign. I think you’ll find it a wonderful way to get the smile you had and loved.

One Word of Caution

While some movement of teeth is natural as the years go by, you want to make sure there isn’t another reason for your shifting. Specifically, you’ll want to make sure you don’t have any gum disease. If you see a dentist regularly and have good oral hygiene at home that shouldn’t be an issue.

Your dentist will do an exam ahead of time to make sure you’re gums are healthy enough. If not, you’ll just have to treat the gum disease and then you can get the Invisalign treatment.

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

Will a Dental Flipper Make My Teeth Look Straight?

by

I really don’t want braces. They take forever, hurt, and look horrible. Would a dental flipper work to just make them look straight?

Ben

Dear Ben,

A woman placing her Invisaliagn aligners

Orthodontics no longer has to mean metal braces

I like how you like to think out of the box. That shows a creative mind open to new ideas. Unfortunately, the dental flipper won’t be a viable solution for you. It’s meant as a temporary tooth replacement option. However, I do have two great solutions for you.

The first will do what you were hoping a dental flipper would accomplish. Snap-on Smile will fit snap over your teeth and make them appear straight. However, because they fit over your teeth they tend to make your smile look bulky. You also need to understand their limitations. These aren’t going to be a beautiful smile makeover like porcelain veneers. They’ll look okay. They can even look attractive. But, they won’t be stunning.

Invisalign—The Modern Alternative to Braces

You no longer have to wear traditional braces with their ugly, uncomfortable wires and brackets. Invisalign uses clear, comfortable aligners. You wear them in two-week intervals and switch them out for the next set. They’re nicknamed invisible braces because no one can tell you’re wearing them, even at a conversational distance.

Because they’re removable, you can eat whatever you want. Additionally, it makes it easier to brush and floss. You simply remove your aligners and brush and floss as you normally would.

A little-known side benefit of Invisalign is the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This allows you to get two procedures knocked out in one go. It’s like getting a mini smile makeover. You’ll look and feel great. You’ll also be surprised how much more confidence a nice smile brings you.

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

Will Invisalign Work for Me?

by

I have two differing opinions about whether I should use Invisalign. My dentist said Invisalign will be fine for my case, but when I went to see an orthodontist about it he said traditional braces were a better option for me. I do want to fix my teeth but I’m not too keen on the whole metal mouth thing. Is my dentist or the orthodontist correct?

Mandie

Dear Mandie,

Two images: one of a woman placing her Invisalign aligner. The other, she's smling with it in.

Please bear in mind, I don’t know your specific case. I can’t give you a definitive yes or no, but I can give you some guidance.

First, the orthodontist you went to see said that traditional braces would be better. What he didn’t say was that Invisalign wouldn’t work in your case. My experience has been that orthodontists are specialists who are protecting their specialty. As such, they tend to downplay Invisalign.

I’d ask yourself if your dentist has always been honest and trustworthy in his dealings with you. Has he been the type of dentist to try to talk you into procedures to get more cases or does he just give you your options and let you decide? Have you ever doubted him? Has he ever misled you? If he’s trustworthy and he says it will work for you. Then, you may just want to believe him and go with Invisalign.

If you have any doubts, you are perfectly within your rights to get a second opinion from another Invisalign dentist. Let them know up front they won’t be doing the procedure, you just want to know if you’re really a good candidate because of conflicting opinions.

If you do get a second opinion, you can double the input by going to a dentist who does both Invisalign and traditional braces in their office.

Invisalign and Teeth Whitening

While most patients know the benefits of Invisalign, such as comfort and invisibility, they may not be aware of one that is rarely advertised.

If you turn out to be a good candidate for Invisalign, the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. That means you can simultaneously whiten your teeth while you straighten them.

Your dentist will simply need to provide you with the gel and give you instructions as to how long to wear the gel. Instead of putting it in your whitening trays, you’ll put the gel in your aligners to the exact same effect.

Be aware that even professional teeth whitening will only whiten natural tooth structure. Therefore, if you have any dental fillings or any other dental work, those will remain the color they currently are.

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

Solution for a Huge Tooth Gap

by

I have a tooth gap big enough to almost fit another tooth in. My dentist suggested Lumineers. I can’t imagine that scenario turning out well. What would I have? A center tooth like a cyclops? Eeww! I do want a solution though. What do you recommend? Please don’t say Lumineers. I might cry.

Luna

Dear Luna,

A woman placing her Invisaliagn aligners

Orthodontics no longer has to mean metal braces

I’m glad you have more sense than your dentist. You’re right that Lumineers would end up a disaster. With such a large gap you’d need one of the top cosmetic dentists in the world to make that look natural. I have a much better solution for you.

Commonly, a tooth gap is repaired using dental bonding. This closes the gap with a composite resin. However, again, the size of the gap you’re dealing with would make this challenging.

In your particular case, I’d suggest orthodontics. As an adult, you won’t want a mouth full of metal even if it means closing your tooth gap naturally. Instead, Invisalign will be a fantastic solution, but without being uncomfortable and unsightly. They have one of the highest patient satisfaction rates too.

Getting a Mini Smile Makeover with Invisalign

Many people find that by combining teeth whitening with Invisalign, they get a mini smile makeover of sorts. The Invisalign gives them beautiful straight teeth, while the teeth whitening takes years off their appearance and makes them a brilliant white color.

One thing to be aware of with teeth whitening is it will only whiten natural tooth structure. If you have other dental work, such as crowns or fillings, those won’t whiten from the solution. Instead, they’ll have to be redone in order to get them to match your new white color.

I hope this helps you. Again, I’m glad you sought out advice instead of just listening to your dentist’s disastrously bad suggestion.

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

Can Invisalign Substitute for My Retainer?

by

I am about to finish my Invisalign treatment and I have LOVED it. My friends only noticed I was wearing the aligners when I took them out of my mouth for eating. They always thought it was awesome and always asked me tons of questions. Plus, they’re super comfortable. My dentist tells me I’m going to have to wear a retainer for a bit and I will admit I’m dreading the idea. I’m not too keen on metal after my exquisite Invisalign experience. I had the idea that I could just keep wearing my final set of aligners in place of a retainer. Would that work? Can I ask my mom to cancel the retainer appointment?

Cyndy F.

Dear Cyndy,

Tulsa Invisalign

It’s fantastic that you’ve enjoyed your Invisalign treatment so much. You’re not the only one who feels that way, either. Invisalign has a higher than normal patient satisfaction rate, which means they’re definitely doing something right.

I also love how proactive you’re being about your care. You know what you like and are trying to arrange care which fits those parameters. The great thing about that is dentistry has many more options than it used to in the past.

While the idea of using your final set of aligners for your retainer sounds good on the surface, there are some issues that will creep up on you. First, the aligners were designed for two-week usage. Extended usage will wear them out. Plus, the inside is likely to get a tad bit on the grungy side and you’ll be longing for a fresh set.

The good news is while a metal retainer is certainly an option, it’s not your only option. You may want to keep your appointment with the orthodontist in order to go over some of the options I’ll present below. That way you can decide what’s best for you.

1. Lingual Retainers. While these are metal, they are placed on the backs of your teeth where your tongue touches. While they’re not truly invisible, your friends won’t be able to see them unless you make an effort to show it to them.

2. Wrap Around Clear Plastic Aligners. These are similar to Invisalign. They wrap all the way around your teeth the way your aligners did. You can ask to look at them and get an idea of whether you’ll like them as much as you did your orthodontic treatment.

3. Full Mouth Aligners. These are also clear plastic but they also cover the top of your mouth. Some companies even allow you to customize them. You can have them made in various colors, or have your favorite activity or sports team printed onto them.

Modern dentistry is filled with advancements and options. Always ask what ALL your options are. While technically dentists are ethically obligated to point out all your treatment options, we all have our favorites and some dentists are better than others at sharing the procedures they’re not as keen on.

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

Is Orthly a Good Replacement for Invisalign?

by

I keep reading about this product Orthly that replaces Invisalign at just a fraction of the cost. Is this legitimate?

Miranda M.

Dear Miranda,

If you’re asking if there’s an Invisalign substitute called Orthly which costs less than Invisalign, then the answer’s yes. But, if you’re asking if it’s a safe replacement, the answer is no.

Here are some of the concerns.

1. The designers have no dental training. They make that clear themselves. “Orthly does not practice dentistry nor do any employees in the company.” So, you’re talking about an app, designed by a college student who was just looking for a cheaper way to straighten his teeth. Does he understand how to move the roots of teeth without causing them to come loose?

2. You only see a dentist a couple of times. This is actually where they save their money. With Invisalign, you’re under the care of a dentist every two weeks. The appointments are designed to make sure nothing is going awry or needs to be addressed with your teeth. They’re designed to protect your teeth.

While an orthodontist working with Orthly can request you send pictures of your progress. That’s practically useless. How can a photo possibly measure things like mobility, root absorption, periodontal disease, and oral hygiene? If these problems crop up, you can lose your teeth.

3. They accept no responsibility for what happens to you. They state, “We partner with licensed, board-certified orthodontists and we ensure that they are the ones who lead the treatment process.” Those are the ones who will face liability, while Orthly rakes in the money.

So, which do you choose? That’s a personal decision. Obviously, I have strong feelings about the issue, but that is borne out of fear of low-income patients, desperate to straighten their teeth, getting themselves into situations where they end up losing their teeth, with no money left to replace them and zero recourse.

If you’re wanting to straighten your teeth, but struggle with the ability to afford it, talk to your dentist. Many of them will work with you financially.

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

If My Teeth Shift, Do I Re-do Invisalign Treatment?

by

I had an Invisalign treatment when I was in my late teens. I’m in my mid-20s now and my teeth seemed to have shifted. Do I need to re-do the Invisalign treatment?

Missy L. – Pennsylvania

Missy,

First, I’d like to assure you it is normal for people’s teeth to shift. If they didn’t, orthodontics would never work. However, genetics plays a large factor in how much shifting people experience.

It’s likely your dentist provided you with a retainer to wear temporarily after you completed your Invisalign treatment for a specific period of time. If your teeth are shifting you may want to wear that retainer again.

The only reason I would re-do the Invisalign treatment is if your teeth shifted into a position you don’t like. Otherwise, a retainer should do the trick.  Some people have teeth which constantly shift. For those patients, I often recommend a permanent retainer. This is permanently fixed to the back of your teeth. You’ll be able to keep your teeth in proper alignment without worrying about people seeing your retainer.

Talk to your dentist or orthodontist. When they look at your bite, they’ll be able to tell you which treatment is preferable in your case. It’s likely, because your Invisalign treatment was completed in your teens, you’re going to a new dentist. Your old dentist should be able to easily provide any records or information your new dentist need about your Invisalign treatment.

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

Invisalign and Football

by

I need to make my mom and my football coach happy. My coach won’t let me play without a mouthguard, and my mom says she didn’t pay for Invisalign for it to sit in my gym bag. Is there a way to work this out? Can I use the Invisalign as a mouthguard?

Reginald B. – Kansas

Reginald,

It’s great to see you’re being so responsible and taking steps to get the information you need. Both your mom and your coach should be very proud of you.

Don’t use your Invisalign aligners as a mouthguard. It’s not designed to absorb shock the way a sports mouthguard does. You will have a damaged mouth…and fewer teeth. There is a way to make it work. First, let your dentist know what’s going on so he can adjust your treatment accordingly.

Next, make sure you keep your aligner’s case with you at all times, even at football practice and games. When you’re not practicing keep your aligners on. Games are a little trickier because they last for so long. You don’t want to leave them out the entire game. Keep the case with you. When you’re not playing, put them in. When you are playing, take them out.

Other than that, just be sure the only other time they’re out is to eat and to clean your teeth.

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