Invisalign® revolutionized the way people look at orthodontic treatment. The clear aligner system from Invisalign® made it possible for people to discreetly improve their smiles. While Invisalign® allows people to love the appearance of their smile and avoids many of the discomforts of braces throughout the process, there should be more to consider when choosing orthodontic treatment. You should consider which treatment option will best treat your individual situation. While you should speak with your dentist at Next Level Dental Assisting School before making your final decision, we have included issues that Invisalign® can effectively treat.

Crooked Teeth

Invisalign® is very effective at treating crooked teeth. The clear aligners offer a great solution for people to align their teeth and love their smile.

Overbite & Underbite

Invisalign® can be used to treat both an overbite and an underbite. An overbite is when the top front teeth extend beyond the bottom of your bottom front teeth. An underbite is when the lower jaw rests in front of the top jaw when the mouth is closed. Invisalign® can be used to move either the top or bottom teeth into the right place so that they align properly with the mouth closed.

Crossbite

A crossbite occurs when teeth don’t line up properly with the mouth closed. This could be the top teeth in the back of your mouth resting inside your bottom teeth or could be one or more of your top front teeth resting behind your bottom front teeth. Invisalign® can move teeth into the proper positions and treat a crossbite.

Gaps in Teeth & Crowded Teeth

These opposite issues can both be treated by Invisalign®. Gaps in teeth occur when there are large spaces between teeth. Crowded teeth happen when there is not enough room in the jaw for all of the teeth, often causing them to overlap or twist. Crowded teeth can make it easy for food to get stuck or plaque to build up, and should be addressed to keep optimal oral health.

Limitations of Invisalign®

While Invisalign® is an excellent option for many orthodontic issues, it does have its limitations. There are times when it may be best to go with braces. For severe orthodontic issues and intrusion and extrusion, braces often offer the force that is needed. It’s also important to note that Invisalign® continues to get better and better. We can now treat more complex orthodontic situations than we could even a few years ago. If you are interested in learning if Invisalign® is the right treatment option for you, contact our Midtown office at 402-937-8640 or our Sandy Springs office at 402-937-8640.

”Learn

Dental veneers are a very popular cosmetic dental procedure for our patients at Next Level Dental Assisting School. For those who wish to improve the appearance of their smile, but do not have teeth that are in serious condition, dental veneers may be an excellent option.

Even though veneer treatment has proved to be a highly effective, safe, and minimally invasive treatment, patients are constantly asking their dentists about the advantages and disadvantages of dental veneers.

Disadvantages

While there are a lot of great things about dental veneers, there are also a couple of drawbacks. For example, getting veneers is a procedure that is irreversible. Once the doctor shaves down the enamel of your teeth, there is no turning back. 

Shaving down that layer of enamel can also make your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold as the veneers are not thick enough to act as a barrier. Veneers are also not a good option for people with badly failing teeth. 

Veneers have a shorter life span compared to dental restorations like bridges and crowns. If you’re looking for a long-term solution, dental veneers might not be the right choice for you.

Advantages

While there are some disadvantages to dental veneers, there are also quite a few advantages. Veneers help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted by straightening and whitening your teeth. However, those are the most obvious advantages. 

Another advantage is that veneers are also a more conservative dental restoration. A dentist only needs to remove a little enamel to accommodate a veneer. In contrast, a crown needs much more space. To accommodate a crown, a dentist may need to remove a significant portion of the enamel first.

Veneers are also versatile in that they can match a certain shade of teeth. There are also different types of porcelain that are strong enough to provide structural support to slightly damaged teeth. 

If you’re looking to get veneers, it’s always a good idea to talk it over with your dentist to make sure you weigh the pros and cons. Your dentist can help you decide if dental veneers are right for you. Call us today at 402-937-8640 and we’ll set up an appointment to talk through the advantages and disadvantages. 

Preventing Cavities in Lincoln

Cavities often referred to as tooth decay, are tiny holes that develop in the hard surface of your teeth. They are most common in children and teenagers, but they can affect everyone including infants and toddlers. Join Next Level Dental Assisting School as we take a closer look at what causes cavities and how you can prevent them.

Causes of Cavities

Cavities typically occur as a result of poor oral health habits but other various factors can increase the risk of getting a cavity, including:

• Dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when there is a lack of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps wash away food stuck on the teeth and it counters the acid produced from bacteria in the mouth, which reduces the chance of cavities.
• Foods and drinks. Certain foods aren’t as easily washed away from saliva, making them more likely to cause decay. Foods you should limit include: ice cream, honey, sugar, soda, cake, chips, cookies, and hard candy.
• Constant snacking or sipping. Drinking or eating frequently throughout the day results in increased bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria produce the acids that attack tooth enamel.
• Lack of fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities and can reverse the early stage of tooth decay. Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to help reduce your chance of cavities.

Cavity Prevention

Regular dental visits and daily brushing and flossing are the best protection against cavities. But, cavities left untreated get larger and larger, affecting the deeper layers of your teeth. Deeper cavities result in higher chances of experiencing severe toothache and infection. So, when it comes to cavities, prevention is key. Below are some of our cavity preventions tips:

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste. Brush and floss twice a day, ideally after each meal.
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Professional teeth cleanings remove plaque that builds up over time which isn’t removed by regular brushing and flossing. Going to the dentist twice a year is one of the best cavity prevention options.
• Dental sealants. Sealants protect the tooth enamel from harmful plaque and bacteria.

If you think that you have a cavity or are experiencing tooth decay, contact our Lincoln office immediately at 402-937-8640.

Learn More About Fillings & Sealants