As part of the comprehensive dental care we provide at Lumino Smiles, we offer traditional orthodontic options and convenient alternatives for cosmetic purposes or to correct teeth after orthodontic relapse. Many of our adult patients appreciate our convenient alternatives that allow for faster and more discreet treatment.
After any type of orthodontic treatment, the use of retainers is recommended to keep teeth in place. Without regular retainer usage, teeth can drift back to their original position undoing years of orthodontic treatment.
Some examples of clear aligners are Invisalign®, which are often a reasonable and successful way to regain a straight smile lost due to shifting teeth.
What are the consequences of a misaligned bite?
Crooked teeth and a misaligned bite might make some people feel self-conscious about their smiles. Having a smile that allows you to express yourself fully is often an important part of first impressions, both socially and professionally.
In addition to wanting to have a lovely smile, correcting crooked teeth can mean having teeth that are easier to keep clean at home. Overlapping teeth can be more prone to developing decay, and trapped bacteria may lead to gum disease, which can cause bone and tooth loss.
When teeth do not come together correctly, uneven wear and force can cause premature wear and jaw-related issues that cause discomfort and sometimes headaches.
What are clear aligners
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are both convenient alternatives to traditional orthodontics. They both utilise a series of clear plastic aligner trays to gradually nudge teeth into ideal alignment. Worn for about two weeks, each set of aligner trays will adjust teeth a little at a time.
We will arrange for periodic evaluations to ensure that your treatment remains on schedule so that you achieve the best results in the most efficient manner.
What are the benefits of clear aligners?
In addition to being nearly invisible, clear aligner braces are removable. Many of our Lumino Smiles patients find this far more convenient when maintaining home oral care. Simply remove the trays to clean your teeth, to eat, and to clean the aligners each day.
Some of the benefits our patients love the best include:
Comfortable and smooth aligners
Simple home care
Normal speech and eating
Unrestricted diet
Clear aligners rather than metal or ceramic
How do I know if I am a good candidate for clear aligners?
To begin treatment, we recommend an evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate for clear aligners such as Invisalign. Dr Amir or Dr Valerie will discuss all of your options and help you make a decision that you feel confident about. Most adults and older teens without complex bite-related issues will find that clear aligners provide excellent results both cosmetically and to improve the oral health issues caused by misalignment.
If your condition would be better served with traditional orthodontics, we also offer braces in our Pascoe Vale dental clinic to treat even the most complex cases for ideal results.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Your smile is unique to you, and your treatment plan will be individualised to meet your needs. Since each patient is different, each treatment plan will reflect that. After your orthodontic consultation in our Pascoe Vale dental clinic, Dr Amir or Dr Valerie will go over your options and an estimate of how long it will take.
Typically, clear braces take less time than traditional orthodontics.
How do I get started with clear braces?
X-rays, photographs and impressions are part of the planning process and will give Dr Amir and Dr Valerie vital information to plan the appearance and function of your smile. They will go over findings, along with treatment times and cost estimates, so that you can make an informed choice regarding your smile.
If clear aligners such as Invisalign are part of a larger oral health plan, we will describe each phase of treatment and where your orthodontic treatment falls in the timeline. At our Pascoe Vale dental clinic, we put our patients in control of their decisions every step of the way.
What is included in clear braces orthodontic treatment?
We wanted to create a treatment that provides exceptional value for all of our clients. Included in your treatment is:
All clear aligner trays
All check-ups and cleanings during treatment
Take home teeth whitening
Retainers
How should I use my clear aligners?
Patient compliance is essential to get the most out of your orthodontic treatment. In most cases, we recommend that you adhere to the following basic guidelines to keep treatment on track.
Use aligner trays in the correct order
Wear each set of aligners most of the time – about 22 hours per day
Remove aligners to eat, drink hot liquids and to clean the aligner trays
Wear each pair of clear braces for two to three weeks, depending on Dr Amir and Dr Valerie’s recommendations
Keep aligners away from pets – they love to chew on them
Clean aligners with a mild cleanser in lukewarm water
Keep aligners out of hot vehicles
Call our dental clinic if you damage or lose your aligners
Maintain good home hygiene and regular dental visits
We will also arrange periodic check-ups to monitor progress and keep your orthodontic treatment on time. If it is time for a dental exam or check-up, please feel free to contact our Pascoe Vale dental clinic.
Just like teeth develop plaque and tartar, your aligners will also begin to collect debris unless you are committed to keeping them clean. Cleaning your aligners will help prevent bad breath, teeth decay and gum disease.
Does treatment hurt?
Clear aligners such as Invisalign are far more comfortable than traditional braces because they do not have the sharp edges that brackets do.
You might feel some mild discomfort when you switch to each new set of aligners. This, however, should resolve within a few days. Clear aligners rely on constant low-force pressure to move teeth into their ideal position.
If you feel particularly uncomfortable, we invite you to contact our dental clinic to speak with a staff member. It can also be beneficial to avoid particularly chewy or hard foods during those first few days of graduating aligners when teeth and gums can feel a bit tender.
Will I need to wear a retainer?
Wearing an orthodontic retainer is part of your treatment, and regular use will help keep your new smile in place. Like Invisalign aligners, your retainer will be clear plastic and discreet.
Typically, at the beginning of orthodontic treatment, you will need to wear your retainer more frequently. As your teeth solidify in the bone, nightly use will be sufficient. You may need to have your retainer replaced on occasion as the plastic can wear down over time.
We also offer more durable retainers for nighttime use and can go over your options to discuss the best option for you.
We offer removable acrylic and wire retainers, clear aligner retainers and fixed retainers to meet the needs of our patients. Dr Amir or Dr Valerie will be happy to go over options with you.
We Welcome New Patients in Glenroy, VIC
We welcome you to contact our Pascoe Vale dental clinic with any questions you may have about clear aligners such as Invisalign or traditional orthodontics. We are always happy to help patients achieve straight smiles that look and feel healthy with orthodontic treatment in the Pascoe Vale, Hadfield and Glenroy, VIC areas.
Specials
Orthodontic Package
This Special Includes:
Clear aligners or braces treatment
Retainers at the end of treatment
Regular clean and checks during treatment
Professional teeth whitening at the end of treatment
Free Consultation with the Clean and Check Package
There is more to having straight teeth than just having a beautiful smile. Having straight teeth can actually improve health issues for some people.
Patients with the following issues might want to consider clear aligners:
TMJ—If you have a misaligned bite, this can contribute to issues with the jaw joint and lead to a disorder known as TMJ. This painful condition of the temporomandibular joint often causes earaches, headaches and neck pain.
Teeth grinding—People who have a tendency to grind their teeth do better when their bite is well-aligned. Wearing the clear plastic aligners can also help relax the muscles that cause teeth grinding and clenching, and in some cases, patients find that their symptoms have been alleviated.
Difficulty cleaning the teeth—When teeth are crooked or overlapped, flossing and brushing can be more of a challenge. Properly aligned teeth have fewer spaces for bacteria to get trapped in, which can lead to the formation of plaque. Crooked teeth also make people prone to a condition known as ‘food impaction,’ which is when food particles get caught between the teeth. Even with good oral hygiene, these areas are tough to keep clean.
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are an option available for straightening the teeth that uses clear plastic aligners rather than the traditional metal brackets and wires of regular orthodontics. The clear aligners use a gentle pressure to nudge the teeth into place over a period of about a year to 18 months. The aligners must be worn 22 hours each day in order for patients to achieve their smile goals.
Every couple of weeks, patients will change the aligners for a new set that will continue to move the teeth into the desired position.
The aligners are removable, so patients can take them out for eating and cleaning the teeth. They can also be removed for the occasional important social or business occasion.
Although there is a slight learning curve at the beginning while patients grow accustomed to speaking while wearing the aligners, most people adjust well.
Contact Our Pascoe Vale Practice
If you are interested in clear aligners such as Invisalign, we invite you to contact Dr Amir and Dr Valerie at our Pascoe Vale, VIC dental clinic, and they can tell you if you might be a good candidate for this discreet orthodontics treatment. Dr Amir and Dr Valerie primarily recommend clear aligners to older teens and adults who agree to be compliant with wearing the aligners for the allotted time each day.
If you are considering clear aligners such as Invisalign at our Pascoe Vale, VIC dental clinic, we welcome your call to talk to Dr Amir or Dr Valerie about whether this treatment is a good option for you. We have put together a list of pros and cons of treatment to help you make your decision.
Pros of Clear Aligners
They are virtually invisible. When you are wearing the clear plastic aligners, even a person seated across the table would be hard-pressed to notice you are wearing them. Brands such as Invisalign suit the busy lifestyle of adults, from stay-at-home mums to business executives.
Treatment is usually quicker than with traditional orthodontics. Most of our patients reach their smile goals after 12 to 18 months of wearing the clear plastic aligners.
You can keep your teeth clean more easily. Because the aligners are removed for brushing and flossing, you can better keep up with your oral health.
There are no food restrictions with clear aligners. Removed for eating, this means that the clear plastic aligners do not impede your desire to enjoy your favourite foods during treatment.
Cons of Clear Aligners
It’s easy to misplace the clear plastic aligners. Perhaps you wrap them in a napkin before a meal—then toss the napkin into the bin and forget about the aligner.
Compliance is crucial, and it might be difficult for some people to commit to wearing the aligners for 22 hours each day.
There is a bit of a learning curve when you first get the aligners, so you will have to get used to speaking with them in your mouth.
Clear aligners is a great option for certain patients who want to correct slightly misaligned teeth. Dr Amir Kiaeeand Dr Valerie Baluyut are clear aligner dentists in Pascoe Vale who can help you attain a more symmetrical smile. Millions of people across the world have used clear aligns, such as Invisalign, and have been pleased with the results. Perhaps you will, too!
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are an innovative orthodontic system that uses clear, BPA-free plastic aligners to gradually move a patient’s teeth into a more desirable position. Clear aligners are smooth, slick, and custom-made to fit over a patient’s teeth. Also called ‘invisible braces’, clear aligners are considered to be a faster and more discreet alternative to traditional metal braces.
How Does It Work?
If Dr Kiaee determines you are a good candidate for clear aligners, he will take a mold of your teeth and send it to a lab for fabrication. Once the aligners are ready, you will begin wearing them in a series.
Each set in the series is tighter than the last, which is how it moves the teeth. The length of treatment depends on your unique case, and Dr Kiaee will discuss all of these details with you during your consultation.
Our Special Orthodontic Package
We are delighted to offer our patients a limited offer for clear aligners treatment. The special includes:
Free Consultation with the Clean and Check Package
Clear Aligners treatment (using brands such as Invisalign)
Retainers after treatment
Regular cleans and checkups during treatment
Professional teeth whitening after treatment
If this is an opportunity that interests you, we invite you to give us a call.
Originally from Iran, Dr Amir attended both High School and University in Australia. He completed High School in Melbourne and attended the University of Adelaide for his Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
Dr Amir values continuing education to deliver the finest and most up-to-date dentistry to his patients.
Some of the additional training and certifications he has earned include:
Progressive Orthodontic Seminars graduate
Dental Implants Provider
Invisalign Provider
Laser Gum Lifting
Aesthetic Composite Restorations
Smile Design Provider
Aesthetic Bonding Techniques
He is also an active member of:
Australian Dental Association
Melbourne-Seattle Study Club
Additional training and education allows Dr Amir to offer advanced ...
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