Invisalign Series: Part III

Part III: ClinCheck and Placing Attachments

In this video, Andrea will go show you how we place the Invisalign aligners and attachments


Enjoy!

Invisalign Series: Part II

Part II: Scanning

Here we show Andrea one of our assistants here at Life Style Dentistry scanning another assistant's, Hannah, teeth to make her Invisalign aligners.

In this video, we show you the record gathering process and scanning process so we can send off them to the Invisalign lab and the Invisalign lab will then create the aligners.

Invisalign Series: Part I

Over the next few weeks we will be posting videos about Invisalign! You will learn how it works, what to expect at your visits and see progress tracking!

We are very excited to be an Invisalign preferred provider at Life Style Dentistry again this year! Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners that are custom-molded to fit you. The virtually invisable aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile you'll be proud of! With Invsalign you:

• Remove your aligners to eat, brush and floss
• Change aligners every two weeks
• Your teeth move little by little
• Regular progress checks with your dentist
• Results often in 6 months to 1 year

 

Why people prefer Invisalign

The convenience and ease of use of the Invisalign system have made it the choice of over half a million people. In fact, Invisalign has been effective in giving hundreds of thousands of people amazing new smiles.

• Most people won't notice you're in treatment
• Won't disrupt your lifestyle
• Free initial consultation

No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth, and best of all, most people won't notice you're in treatment.

 

To learn more request an appointment or call our office at 479-636-8700 to schedule a personal consultation.

Oral Cancer

There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), a newly identified etiology, and the same one which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer in women. A small percentage of people (under 7%)  do get oral cancers from no currently identified cause. It is currently believed that these are likely related to some genetic predisposition.

While some think this is a rare cancer, mouth cancers will be newly diagnosed in about 115 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. If you add the sub category of laryngeal throat cancers, the rates of occurrence (about 12,000 additional new cases per year) and death are significantly higher. When found at early stages of development, oral cancers have an 80 to 90% survival rate. Unfortunately at this time, the majority are found as late stage cancers, and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 43% at five years from diagnosis (for all stages and etiologies combined at the time of diagnosis), and high treatment related morbidity in survivors. Late stage diagnosis is not occurring because most of these cancers are hard to discover, Though some like HPV origin disease have unique discovery issues), it is because of a lack of public awareness coupled with the lack of a national program for opportunistic screenings which would yield early discovery by medical and dental professionals. worldwide the problem is far greater, with new cases annually exceeding 450,000.

At Life Style Dentistry Dr. Hubbs and the hygienist screen all patients for oral cancer at all preventative care appointments and dental exams.

Oral Piercings and Dental Health

If you already have piercings:

• Contact Dr. Hubbs or physician immediately if you have any signs of infection, swelling, pain, fever, chills, shaking or a red-streaked appearance around the site of the piercing.
• Keep the piercing site clean and free of any matter that may collect on the jewelry by using a mouth rinse after every meal.
• Try to avoid clicking the jewelry against teeth and avoid stress on the piercing. Be gentle and aware of the jewelry's movement when talking and chewing.
• Check the tightness of your jewelry periodically (with clean hands). This can help prevent you from swallowing or chocking if the jewelry becomes dislodged.
• When taking part in sports, remove the jewelry and protect your mouth with a mouthguard.
• See Dr. Hubbs regularly, and remember to brush twice a day and floss daily. Of course the best option is to consider removing mouth jewelry before it causes a problem. Don't pierce on a whim. The piercing will be an added responsibility to your life, requiring constant attention and upkeep.

Oral Piecings and Dental Health

If you pierce your tongue, lips, cheeks, or uvula (the tiny tissue that hangs at the back of the throat) it can interfere with speech, chewing, or swallowing. It may also cause:
Infection, pain and swelling. Your mouth is a moist environment, home to huge amounts of breeding bacteria, and an ideal place for infection. An infection can quickly become life threatening if not treated promptly. It is also possible for a piercing to cause your tongue to swell, potentially blocking your airway.
Damage to gums, teeth and fillings. A common habit of biting or playing with the piercing can injure your gums and lead to cracked, scratched, or sensitive teeth. Piercings can also damage fillings.
Hypersensitivity to metals. Allergic reactions at the pierced site are also possible.
Nerve damage. After a piercing, you may experience a numb tongue that is caused by nerve damage that is usually temporary, but can sometimes be permanent. The injured nerve may affect your sense of taste, or how you move your mouth. Damage to your tongue's blood vessels can cause serious blood loss.
Excessive drooling. Your tongue piercing can increase saliva production.
Dental appointment difficulties. The jewelry can get in the way of dental care by blocking X-rays.

Oral Piercings

Some people choose to express themselves with body piercing. Oral piercing or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be very dangerous to your health. Your mouth contains millions of bacteria and infections and swelling often occur with mouth piercings. What you may not know is that your mouth and tongue could swell so much that you close your airway or you could possibly choke if part of the jewelry breaks off in your mouth. In some cases, you could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing. Repeated clicking of jewelry against your teeth can also cause damage. Oral piercing could also lead to more serious infections such as hepatitis or endocarditis.