Orthodontics Treatments Everett

Invisalign

Everett Invisalign clear aligner trays help straighten your teeth gradually by pushing them to the right position. These custom-fitted trays help safely realign your smile. Begin with a free consultation to evaluate your smile and check if you are a viable candidate for Invisalign as patients with cases of complex orthodontic problems should use other appliances instead. We will start by creating a record of your smile’s status and take a digital impression of your teeth to model your treatment. Expect frequent visits to your orthodontist every couple of weeks to pick up your new sets of clear aligner trays and keep your treatment going. Visits are much shorter because your orthodontist will only have to check your progress.

You may be able to complete your full treatment with Invisalign clear aligners anywhere between 12-18 months. However, much like any form of orthodontic treatment, your total treatment time will vary depending on your set of circumstances, adherence to professional and manufacturer recommendations, and general attention to oral hygiene. For optimal results, please wear your aligner trays for 20-22 hours per day and avoid removing them for anything other than eating and regular brushing and flossing. During your consultation, your orthodontist will be able to provide you with a better estimate for your treatment length.

Braces

Everett Traditional dental braces work by applying constant and gentle force over your teeth. As the pressure gradually moves the tooth from its base, we get to realign your entire smile. When this happens, the connective tissue in your gums moves and shifts in tiny increments. These periods allow the bone tissue grows into place and hardens around the base to hold the tooth in its new position. We call this bone remodeling.

When a patient wears their braces, we say they are in the active phase of their treatment. As we continue applying force over your teeth, we achieve efficient teeth movement and bone remodeling. Sometimes you may require additional appliances or attachments, such as headgear, to stop the movement of particular pieces and focus on realigning others around them. Similarly, we may recommend you use springs, rubber bands, or orthodontic elastics to put pressure on a tooth at a specific angle to fit the expected movements that enable treatment efficacy and reach a more harmonious smile.

Although braces have been around for quite a long time, there have been many developments and advancements in the materials, methods, and techniques of orthodontic braces, which make them a consistently excellent and effective treatment option for many people of all ages.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is more than just violent snoring. When we talk about this condition, we refer to a sleep disorder that involves the cessation or interruption of normal at-rest breathing; yes, this means the patient stops breathing for a short time. This pause in breathing is known as apnea, and apneas can last between a few seconds to a few minutes. How many episodes of apnea a patient endures per hour can vary wildly from one case to an hour, but the average is about 5 to 30 cases per hour.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Gasping for breath during sleep
• Insomnia
• Irritability and mood swings
• Fatigue

How can our orthodontists help you?

Orthodontists have special education and training in facial growth and development, putting them in a unique position to be able to identify issues such as sleep apnea. For some patients, their sleep apnea can be caused by growth deformities in the upper jaw or airway that can block airflow to the lungs while sleeping. Orthodontists are trained in correcting these very issues.

It is estimated that nearly half of people who have sleep apnea have an abnormality in the bony structure around the airway. This means orthodontics may be a valuable resource in helping correct their issue.

Orthodontic treatment can expand the upper jaw and work to advance the mandible, helping to modify the structures that can help manage sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy can also help improve a patient’s breathing patterns during sleep. The appliance works similarly to a mouthguard but works to hold the lower jaw forward in order to ensure the airway stays open.

Untreated sleep apnea can have serious consequences on your health. In addition to the effects lack of sleep can cause, sleep apnea patients may also suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke.

If you have sleep apnea and would like to learn more about how orthodontics may be able to provide some relief, schedule your free consultation today.

Surgical Treatment

Everett Surgical Orthodontics is an option for treatment when the bite problem or skeletal discrepancy is so severe that orthodontic treatment is not enough to correct the problem or where orthodontics alone would leave you with a compromised facial appearance. Orthognathic surgery, or orthodontic treatment in combination with jaw surgery, can be used.

Severe malocclusion (or a bad bite) may cause functional problems, such as the inability to chew food properly, speech difficulties, and facial dysfunction characterized by headaches, joint pain, and periodontal problems. Furthermore, there are often self-esteem issues related to a patient’s physical appearance relative to jaw discrepancy. Orthognathic surgery can also be an important part of the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

After surgery, some fine-tuning of your bite with braces or Invisalign will be necessary prior to the completion of treatment with regular orthodontic checks. The post-surgical phase of orthodontic treatment usually begins 4-8 weeks after the surgical procedure and typically lasts 2-6 months.

While surgery may be the best option to achieve optimal functional and cosmetic results, it is always an elective procedure. Other treatment options will be presented to you at the consultation appointment.

iTero and Virtual Treatment Planning

Orthodontics is a field that knows how to leverage any and all advancements in technology and materials science. Recent advances allow us to diagnose and treat our patients with increased efficiency and precision. We are committed to a position of leadership among our peers to help you achieve your goals and serve your needs better.

Here at Silver Lake Orthodontics, you get to experience treatment with cutting-edge technology. the iTero 3D Scanner helps us take interactive models and 3D impressions of your teeth without the discomfort of traditional models. The computerized 3D image of your teeth helps us plan your treatment and understand the best course of action to achieve your goals safely and as efficiently as possible.

Taking a digital impression for your Everett orthodontic treatment takes only a few minutes and provides a comfortable experience for every patient who comes in for treatment. Besides, you won’t be exposed to any radiation during the procedure as the scanner wand only uses visible light to take the impression.