Why Orthodontics? - American Association of Orthodontists

Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment For Teens & Adults

From Miami Lakes to Pembroke Pines, more often than not, when people think of braces, they now also think of Invisalign. Invisalign is a manufacturer of clear orthodontic aligners that offer an alternative to conventional braces. Treatment consists of a series of clear aligners, often referred to as trays, which progressively force teeth to move into the correct position over time. Although Invisalign is an alternative solution to braces, it is not for everyone, as many dentists may have you believe.

When it comes to Invisalign, braces, or any other orthodontic procedure, your average family dentist typically lacks the proper training to correctly diagnose, plan and treat your orthodontic issues. Your family dentist serves a similar purpose to your family doctor. They are there to help you with your general needs, such as check-ups, cleanings, etc., but they should refer you to a specialist if you need a dental procedure that is outside of their training, such as oral surgery or orthodontics. This is very similar to going to your family doctor for a checkup and being diagnosed with a heart issue. Family doctors wouldn’t perform your heart surgery themselves! They would refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist) who would then give you the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.

While orthodontists and dentists help patients improve their oral health, they do this differently. A dentist is a professional who studies the medical specialty dealing with the teeth, gums, nerves, and jaw. On the other hand, an orthodontist is a dentist with specialized training who focuses on the alignment of teeth, correcting bites, and occlusion. While all orthodontists are dentists, not all dentists are orthodontists!

At Miami Lakes Orthodontics, we are a Miami Lakes orthodontic specialist dealing exclusively with correcting bites, occlusion, and the straightness of teeth. Dr. Carmen Briceño Crespi is also the only board-certified orthodontist specialist (https://www.americanboardortho.com) between Doral and Pembroke Pines. As a Miami board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Briceño Crespi has taken hundreds of additional hours of education, which makes her the most qualified specialist with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide you with the highest level of patient care.

We are also Invisalign Preferred Providers, which means that we have achieved significant experience in treating patients with Invisalign treatment options. The Invisalign system now offers three types of treatment plans which can be tailored to your specific needs:

Invisalign

Also known as Invisalign complete, it is the most popular prescription for individuals who have never had orthodontic treatment. This is available for initial submission, mid-course correction, and refinement. On average this type of case takes about 12 months for adults. However, an orthodontic specialist can only determine the actual treatment length.

Invisalign Teen

Many teenagers that require Invisalign treatment are very self-conscious about their appearance. Invisalign Teen is a treatment option that offers an almost invisible way to straighten your teen’s teeth without the restrictions and less-than-appealing look that come with metal braces.

Vivera Retainers (formerly Invisalign Express)

Not everyone has vast gaps, underbites, and/or other severe cases. For this type of patient, Invisalign has developed Invisalign Express, now rebranded as Vivera Retainers. Invisalign Express (Vivera Retainers) treats simple cases in 4-6 months with as little as 5 to 10 aligners. Invisalign Express can also be used as a phase II treatment after conventional braces to ensure your teeth will not migrate back to their old positions. Invisalign Express treats simple cases in 4-6 months with as little as 5 to 10 aligners. Invisalign Express can also be used as a phase II treatment after conventional braces to ensure your teeth will not migrate back to their old positions.

So, whether it appears or you think that you need orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign, the easiest way to find out is to make a free no, obligation consultation with the award-winning, board-certified Miami Lakes Invisalign orthodontist for teens and adults, Dr. Carmen Briceño Crespi. Call us at (305) 820-6800 or fill out the form below, and one of our smile specialists will contact you as indicated.

Here’s More Information Related to Invisalign in My Area

Does Invisalign Really Work?

Pediatric Orthodontist, Children\'s Orthodontics Specialist in Miami Lakes

This is a question that I get all the time from patients, and it is a very valid question as, after all, you are going to invest time and money to improve your smile, so you should be 100% confident that the treatment can and will deliver the results that you desire.  The simple answer for many patients is yes, Invisalign really does work.  However, it is not a universal cure, nor is it the best form of treatment for everyone.

Invisalign results are dependent on three things: the patient, the doctor, and compliance.

  • The patient – Are you a candidate for Invisalign? Certain tooth movements and bite issues can be addressed with Invisalign but not all issues.  Invisalign is not a magical pill that fixes everything.
  • The doctor – Is the doctor that you are considering for your treatment able to give you the results that you are looking for with the Invisalign treatment? Invisalign treatment should ALWAYS be diagnosed, prescribed, and performed by an orthodontic specialist.  There is nothing worse than someone that goes to a dentist who misdiagnoses their treatment, and the patient leaves feeling even more unhappy than before they had treatment and have already spent $5000-$6000.
  • Compliance – There is no magical appliance that stays in your pocket and straightens your teeth. The results of Invisalign are very dependent on the compliance of the patient.  If you do not wear your aligners (Invisalign clear trays) as prescribed by your orthodontist, then you will slow down the treatment or not get the results at all.

 If you are considering Invisalign treatment or braces, then make sure that the dentist that you are visiting is, in fact, an orthodontist and if possible, make sure that they are a board-certified orthodontist (check the ABO website and use their orthodontist locator tool to verify).