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Invisalign or clear aligner therapy is a popular treatment option for adults and teens because of their esthetics (nearly invisible), convenience (trays can be removed for eating and drinking) and most of all, is truly an excellent alternative to braces for many patients.
Although Invisalign is a form of orthodontic treatment, many general dentists and non-orthodontic dental specialists offer Invisalign to their patients. So, why should you see a Board-Certified Orthodontist for your Invisalign treatment? The solution to a patient’s complaint of “crowded teeth” or “gaps between teeth” is not always as simple as merely “aligning the teeth” or “closing the gaps”. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified to diagnose both the problems and the etiologies of the problems. There are different reasons crowding or spacing exists, and the treatment plan will differ depending on the reason. For instance, gaps between teeth can be due to several different reasons. If a patient is missing teeth, the existing teeth can move apart and drift, creating gaps. Or, if a patient has small upper teeth and larger lower teeth, gaps my form between the upper teeth. Finally, if the lower teeth front teeth are pushing on the upper front teeth at the incorrect angle, spaces between the upper front teeth, particularly the two front teeth, may form. This is only one example of how a single problem could have several different causes. The appropriate course of treatment will depend on the cause. By having an Orthodontist identify the right course of treatment, you can rest-assured knowing that you will have a long-term, beautiful, stable and comfortable result.
It is also important to understand how Invisalign differentiates between Doctors who do a few cases versus those who treat hundreds of cases in their practice. Invisalign grants a special status to Doctors depending on the number of cases that have been treated in the practice. However, some large practices employ many Doctors who collectively contribute towards the practice’s elite Invisalign status, which means that each individual Doctor within the practice may not actually have a wealth of experience treating patients using Invisalign. We recommend that as part of your due diligence that you be sure to ask the Doctor during your consultation “Are all of the current Invisalign patients within this practice under your care?” and “Can you please show me examples of your work using Invisalign?” This will give you a better idea of how experienced the Doctor is with Invisalign.
Dr. Tracy Cheung is a Premier Level Invisalign Provider, and has successfully finished many advanced-level cases. Give us a call at 914-923-5089 to schedule a consultation to find out if Invisalign is a great option for you!
