Do Orthodontists Prefer Invisalign?
By Richard Lyons | Published on October 15, 2010 | 0 Comments
For orthodontist Richard M. Lyons, helping people achieve straighter smiles had been ingrained in him since childhood. The family profession, which has been in practice for 80 years at its Tribeca location, first started with Lyons’ grandfather, who then passed the profession onto Lyons’ father. From his time as a child visiting the office until now, where he is the main provider of orthodontic treatments in the office, Lyons has noticed a great increase in patient concern about oral health.
In recent years, many researchers have found a direct correlation between the health of your mouth and your overall health. Specifically, links have been made between gum disease and diabetes and heart conditions.
In addition to their health, people these days are also more concerned with how their teeth look. Many times, Dr. Lyons says, before teeth whitening or even veneers, visiting an orthodontist is a logical first step for many patients. While a number of the patients who visit his Tribeca office for braces are young children, Dr. Lyons explains that with the dawn of Invisalign and its increasing popularity, more and more adults have been making appointments for themselves as well.
Years ago, when today’s adults were children, going to the dentist was sometimes viewed more as a luxury rather than a necessity. Now, however, those who may not have received the necessary treatments needed in their early teens are coming back to refresh their smiles. For the adult age group, Dr. Lyons strongly recommends using Invisalign—and it may not be for the reason you think.
Of course, people gravitate towards Invisalign because of its look, or rather because you can hardly see it at all. From a consumer standpoint, this may be the biggest advantage. For orthodontists, however, Invisalign has its own set of benefits. First of all, there is much more control over the movement of the teeth when you use Invisalign, says Dr. Lyons, because the entire treatment plan is expertly mapped out and coordinated through the use of trays. The ability to position the teeth as needed is also what makes the treatment plan for Invisalign shorter than that of traditional metal braces. Plus, Invisalign poses less risk of decay, gum disease, and bone loss, Dr. Lyons says, because the trays can be removed to allow for thorough daily cleaning of the teeth.
Dr. Lyons does not predict a decline in Invisalign requests anytime in the near future. Instead, he expects that the treatment will begin to take an even bigger piece of the pie when it comes to orthodontics because there are still many adults longing for straighter smiles. To find out if Invisalign is right for you, schedule an appointment with your local dentist or orthodontist to discuss the benefits and weigh your options.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.