Miami Center for Orthodontics | Orthodontist Miami FL

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 Info Related to Invisalign in the Hialeah – Miami Lakes Area

Mail Order Braces! For Real?

Braces Specialty Miami Lakes Orthodontics

Whether you call it lazy or convenient, Americans have been in love with mail-ordering stuff for a long time. It all started back in 1893, with the First Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog and he exploded from there with other companies such as JC Whitney, JC Penney and others joining the trend.

This direct-to-consumer trend has exploded with the growth of the Internet. Online marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon, and Wal-Mart, allow us to order anything ranging from fishing lures and tires to wine and groceries. One recent trend that has caught our attention is mail-order braces or clear aligners. People are taking a few pictures on a phone app. and paying a couple thousand dollars, and companies are mailing the consumer clear aligners with the promise that they will fix the consumers smile. Well, unlike fishing lures, tires, wine, and groceries, if you don’t like these mail-order items, then you can return them or simply put them in the trash. However, when we talk about braces/clear aligners, we are talking about something that affects you and your smile.   This is something that can have major consequences for the person trying the mail-order braces as this will affect how people relate to you, see you, and how you perceive yourself when you look in the mirror.  Your smile plays a major role in your confidence, self-esteem, and appearance.  Trusting something this important to a DIY kit is a very risky proposition.

Braces and clear aligners are orthodontic appliances used by orthodontists to align and straighten teeth and help position them with regard to a person’s bite while also aiming to improve overall dental health and function.  An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has dedicated several additional years of training after dental school in order to learn the science and art of tooth movement and correcting a person’s bite.  This specialized training has made them the best doctor to see for dealing with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of misaligned teeth and jaws. Despite the claims and marketing efforts of many of the mail-order braces providers, you are not getting the best care when you avoid visiting an orthodontic specialist.

There are several factors that have to be considered when deciding if someone is a candidate for orthodontic treatment which cannot be determined by taking a picture in an app.  If you want the best outcome for your smile, you should go to visit a board-certified orthodontist in Miami Gardens and have a proper evaluation that includes X-rays and the opinion of a specialist that can give you a detailed analysis and make sure that you understand your options and potential risks involved with treatment.

Another major fact that this often overlooked when we are talking about mail-order braces is that this type of service is limited to clear aligners and they are also limited to making minor movements in teeth.  Several bite and alignment issues simply cannot be corrected with this type of treatment.  This is one of the main reasons that so many people are disappointed when they actually try the mail-order braces is that the problem that they were hoping to get fixed is not addressed and then they get results that do not fix their major concern.  Mail-order braces or clear aligners are basically a cheap version of the popular Invisalign product with a couple of major differences:

  • Invisalign should and mostly is always offered by a qualified dental specialist (preferably an orthodontist) who will not only help to determine if Invisalign is a good option for you but will also design your new smile and make and corrections that are necessary.
  • Invisalign is far more advanced that most of the other clear aligner companies. Invisalign has a 25-year head start on all of the clear aligner companies.  They have patented technologies that other companies cannot use which allow for better and more comfortable treatment.
  • Mail order braces rely on you to take the impressions of your teeth which oftentimes means that they will have a distorted mold of your teeth. If the mail-order braces company is going to use a mold of your teeth that is not accurate then how will they plan your treatment correctly?  If you start with the wrong measurements how do you create aligners that will fit correctly?  move your teeth properly.  Hello!!! This just doesn’t make sense.

These facts are often not emphasized when you hear a mail-order braces commercial or Facebook add. Most of the time they only talk about a low monthly payment like something around $89 a month. At the end of the day, the old adage of, “You get what you pay for.” almost always comes true.   If you are still a believer, then try reading some of the online horror stories as well as several lawsuits against these mail-order braces companies.  We are certain that if you compare apples to apples you will find that the treatment we provide at Lakes Orthodontics by an award-winning board-certified orthodontist specialist will outshine any low-cost deal, you may find on social media, TV or on the internet.