Health benefits of Invisalign

When considering treatment options at Duncan Orthodontics, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. There’s no question that the Invisalign system is a comfortable and convenient way to correct misaligned teeth, but did you know that using Invisalign can actually help to improve your dental health?

There are a number of different health benefits to be had from using Invisalign to straighten your teeth or correct a misaligned bite. A beautiful smile is generally a healthy smile, so it makes sense that Invisalign, while improving the appearance of your teeth, can also contribute to improved dental health.Here's how:

• Proper alignment leads to healthier gums: Moving your teeth into proper position can help your gums and teeth to form a tighter fit, which is better for your periodontal health.
• Invisalign allows you to easily maintain excellent oral hygiene: With traditional braces, brushing and flossing can be a little tricky. With Invisalign, you can simply remove your aligners and then brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.
• Keeping pressure in the right place is good for your teeth: If your teeth or your bite is misaligned, it is possible that stress is being placed on the teeth, supporting bone and joints of the jaw. Moving the teeth into the correct position can help to alleviate this stress.

More than just a fantastic system that will improve your smile, Invisalign truly can contribute to a healthier mouth.

If you have any questions about the Invisalign system, head to our facebook page and post your question!

Adult orthodontics

Did you know that adults make up as much as 15-30% of all orthodontic patients? Braces and other orthodontic treatments aren’t just for children and teenagers—more and more adults are seeking orthodontic care to correct a wide range of issues! Crowded teeth, gapped teeth, overbites, underbites and crossbites can all be corrected with orthodontics.

If your teeth or bite are misaligned, it can lead to a number of potential problems, including an increased risk for tooth decay, periodontal disease and even issues with the joints of the jaw. Correcting misalignments is an excellent way to improve your dental health and to achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!

There are many options for adult orthodontic treatment, including traditional metal braces (which are generally the fastest and most inexpensive treatment option), ceramic braces and virtually invisible, removable braces such as Invisalign. Your treatment will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

If you’re considering braces, I encourage you to schedule an orthodontic evaluation at your earliest convenience. I have many adult patients and I understand that choosing to get braces is a very big decision! I would love to assess your orthodontic needs, discuss your options with you and develop a treatment plan that will work for you.

Early Orthodontic - What you should know!

You may not know this, but it is recommended that children receive an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven! Most people tend to think of orthodontic treatment as something that occurs during adolescence or adulthood—and that is generally true! However, having an early orthodontic evaluation can be of great benefit. Early orthodontics—also called interceptive orthodontics—can be defined as proactive orthodontic treatment.

Adult teeth usually start to come in at the age of 6 or 7, and that is the perfect time for an orthodontist to evaluate the development of the teeth and bite. If there are going to be any orthodontic issues, it is usually obvious by this time. In many instances, early treatment can help to guide the growth of the jaw, eliminate the need for later tooth extraction and allow the permanent teeth to emerge in the proper position.


I’d like to share a great example that demonstrates the benefits of early orthodontic treatment: In the past, the common solution for overcrowded teeth was to simply extract teeth and then to align the remaining teeth properly with braces. While this is still necessary in some cases, interceptive orthodontics can sometimes eliminate the need for this kind of treatment. A palatal expander can be used to expand the child’s upper arch (the reason this works is because the child’s jaw is still growing), and this can allow the adult teeth the space they need to erupt in the proper positions.

As I said before, most children do not need this kind of interceptive treatment. But for those who can benefit from it, it can be a truly helpful option. The opportunity to potentially eliminate or simplify future orthodontic treatment should be considered, if at all possible.

If you have questions about early orthodontics, I encourage you to give us call or just ask me on here!