Faster Treatment with Propel Orthodontics

What is Propel?

Propel is a micro-invasive treatment that uses mirco-osteoperforations to stimulate the bone to remodel faster therefore "Excellerate" your tooth movement.

What does Propel do?

Propel is a way to have straight teeth faster.  This process straightens teeth in almost half the time it would normally take to treat any patient. This product excellerates treatment and allows picture-perfect selfies delivered ahead of schedule.

Did you know?

74% of adults have incorrect bites or crooked teeth.  It makes it hard to difficult to remove plaque and food debris from teeth. 

If left untreated, there is an increased risk for tooth decay. 

Micro-Osteoperforation with Propel is:

• Clinically proven safe and effective
• Doctor-performed in just a few minutes during your regularly scheduled office visit
• Used with any form of tooth movement

Benefits:

• Faster results without inconvenience.
• Can be used with any from of tooth movement.
• Procedure is done at regular office visit
• Saves time with fewer visits
• Not surgery and no recovery time

Invisalign Teen

                                                                   Invisalign Teen
What is Invisalign Teen?

Invisalign has a product that helps cater to our teens and young adults.  It is designed just like Invisalign but has some extra features that appeal to teens and their parents.

Teens love that they do not have to have metal braces on their teeth.

Parents love that typically they can be the same price as traditional braces and they have a happy teenager.

Patients love that they can keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Everyone loves that they can smile without metal.

Patients love that they can Eat whatever they want and still straighten their teeth.

How to take care of my Invisalign

In our office we tell our patients in detail all of the Rules of Invisalign, along with how to take care of them, how to wear them and also the cleaning instructions.  We give our patients a small kit that makes the transfer into wearing Invisalign that much easier.  I will go over everything that we go over in our office as well as what we put in our kits. We always allow our patients to call us when they get home if they have questions.

Wearing of aligners

The most important part in teeth movement with Invisalign is that the patient is very cooperating with wearing their aligners and also that they keep track of which aligner that they are wearing them as much as they need to.  Each aligner is to be worn for 22 hours each day (Basically this means take them out only when you eat drink (anything besides water) or brushing your teeth) for optimal wear.  They wear each aligner for a 2 week 14 day period. Well patients ask "What happens if I have a meeting and I can wear them or its Thanksgiving and I will be eating all day and I don't want to lose them?"  The answer to this is simple just make up for the time that you lost at the end of your two week period.  So if on Thanksgiving you only wore them in the morning and at night but you missed the whole day well add a day at the end of your two weeks.  If you only had them out for a 4 hour meeting, instead of changing in them at your usual time change them 4 hours later or the next day.  It will never hurt to wear an aligner a little longer then what is scheduled.  It is important to get the most wear out of each aligner so that no incorrections happen.  (An incorrection is when a patient wears an aligner for less time and expects the next aligner to fill the void.(Each aligner can only move the teeth 100% of the way. So if you only wear your aligner 80% of the amount of time needed you are trying to force the next aligner to move your teeth 120% of the way.)) What happens if your aligner is rubbing?  We can always trim the edge that is bothering you or you may do so with a emery board or small scissors.   

Oral Hygiene

The next important thing to know about your Invisalign wear is Oral hygiene and the cleaning instructions for your aligners.  Your oral hygiene is pretty simple take you aligners out when you brush, and brush you teeth, floss and use the fluoride rinse.(We provide you a fluoride for your nightly brushing.)  Invisalign suggests that you brush your teeth after every meal.  We know that this isn't always possible so if you can't brush you may chew a piece of gum for a few minutes spit it out and replace your aligners or just rinse your mouth out the best that you can.  Patients ask what kind of toothpaste or what kind of toothbrush, well that is another easy question you may use whatever kind that you like as long as is accepted by the American Dental Association.  

Cleaning the Aligners

We ask our patients to clean their aligners when they brush their teeth and rinse aligners with water when they take them out to eat.  To clean your aligners we ask that you do not use toothpaste but a mild liquid soap (it can be anti-bacterial or not its up to you) (dish soap works great and fruity smelling soaps work best) What you do is work this into a lather in your hand then use a q-tip or a small soft toothbrush that has never had toothpaste in it to scrub the aligner. NEVER allow your aligners to be stored or cleaned in any extreme heat or cold locations.  This may distort the aligners resulting in them not fitting properly.  Dish washers and cars are not a good place for aligners and Never boil them to sterilize them. 

Aligner Insertion

1. Make sure you have the proper aligners.  The upper on the top and the lower on the bottom. Invisalign provides labels on each aligner.  It has your personal ID # and it provides a U for upper and an L for lower as well as the # aligner you are on. (See photo)
2. Make sure teeth are clean.  Make sure you rinse your aligners as well.
3. Place the top aligner in over the corresponding teeth then gentle push the aligner in place. Make sure you push the aligner into place completely so that there are no gaps between the teeth and the aligner.  Then do the same for the lower.  You may now apply pressure to the aligner by pressing teeth together. Do not put aligners in mouth and bite them into place.
4. If you experience a pinching or scratching sensation your aligner can be adjusted by the doctor or an assistant.  If it needs just a slight adjustment you can use an emery board to smooth an edge if you aren't at the doctor's office.

Aligner Removal
1. Start by using your fingertips on the back teeth (molars) and slowly work your way to the front. Gently pull them off your teeth.
2. To help prevent damage to the aligners avoid removing from the same place every time and removing them only when you are eating or brushing.
3. DO NOT remove with any sharp objects.
4. After removal rinse in water and put your aligners in a protective case.  DO NOT place in a napkin or anything that looks like trash. Only store them in a protective case.
       Don't twist or bend aligners.  This will result in cracking or the the breakage of your aligner

Storing your Invisalign Aligners

We provide our Invisalign patients with two cases.  We ask that all of our patients with removable appliances store their appliances in a protective case.  This will protect them from damage or loss.
Why do we give you two cases?  We ask that you keep your current aligner in one and the second case we ask that when you move to your next aligner you store your previous align in the second case.  This way you will have something to fall back on encase you loss or break an aligner.  If you do not have a previous aligner and you loss or break an aligner you have no way of insuring that your teeth will remain in the same place until you can get a replacement aligner.  It is a good idea to keep all of your aligners in a clean plastic bag in and out of reach of small children and pets.    

Invisalign Start Kit

In our Start Kit we provide our patients with everything that they will need their first few days in Invisalign.  This kit works great when you are not at home.  What it includes:

1. A case to keep all of your supplies in
2. Travel toothbrush and tooth paste
3. Floss
4. cups
5. Sanitary wipes
6. Latex gloves (for easier removal after attachments are placed)
7. Fluoride

Why we provide fluoride treatments?

We provide fluoride to all of our patients that are in any type of orthodontic appliances.  If proper oral hygiene is not provided the fluoride helps strengthen teeth so that decalcification does not occur.  Fluoride provides an extra strength to teeth preventing cavities.   We ask our patients to use the fluoride rinse once a day at bedtime.  We have our patients follow their normal nightly oral hygiene procedure and then use their fluoride rinse that we provide.  We have them use half of the white cap full and swish for 60 secs.  Then spit it out and do not rinse out with water after.  Then replace aligner.  After rinsing then go to bed.  If you must have a drink of water after you rinse please leave the fluoride on your teeth for at least an hour.  When reading the bottle it asks you to used more then what we do.  You only need a small amount to protect your teeth.  This bottle should last about 3 months.  If you are using the bottle faster then 3 months you are using too much and if you are not using the bottle in 3 months you are using too little.

Please do not swallow and keep out of reach of small children. 
 


 

Frequently Asked Questions about Invisalign

Q:Will my Invisalign treatment be painful?
A: During the first few day patients feel a slight discomfort similar to a tightness or tenderness associated with a new pair of shoes or tightness of a pair of roller skates. This is normal.  This is a sign of the aligner working and moving teeth.  This pain is normal and should slowly fade as the aligner moves teeth.  The best way to keep the discomfort at a minimum is to take tylenol or I-B profen or anything that you would normally take for a headache.  We tell our patients to take this the day you start and the next day.  This will ease this process and help keep your mind off your teeth.  The best medicine is to stay busy and keep your aligners in as much as possible.

Q: Will wearing my Invisalign affect my speech?
A: Like any orthodontic treatment there are always a slight difference in speech.  Our patients notice a slight lisping the first few days the best way to get rid of this is practice talking in them.  Read a book out loud or sing in the car.  Talk as much as possible to retrain your tongue and this will disappear.  Most of our patients notice no change in speech at all, however.  Usually the only people who notice are close friends or family that you talk to on the phone.  The people who you speak to on a daily basis (co-workers & friends)  do not notice any changes. 

Q: What do I do if my aligners do not snap into place?
A: Minor discrepancies between the new aligner and current tooth position are normal, since the current tooth position are normal.  Since teeth need time to conform to the new aligner position.  You may need to add a few days until you change into your next aligner.  Always check your aligner before you try in a new one.  Check to see if the aligner is the right number and if it contends your personal ID#.  If all of this is correct and it still does not fit correctly consult the orthodontist.

Q:  Are there restrictions on what I can and can not eat?
A:In general, no.  Unlike traditional orthodontic appliance you can take your "braces" out.  So you may eat whatever you want.  The first few days in your aligners you may not want to eat anything too tough or chewy. This maybe more painful. 

Q: Is it ok to drink hot or cold drinks while wearing my aligner?
A: Except for cool water, Invisalign recommends that you take out your aligners to eat or drink anything.  This is to avoid the formation of cavities or staining.  Also hot drinks may warp the aligners.

Q: Can I chew gum with my aligners in?
A: NO.  Chewing gum will stick to the aligners.  If you need to chew gum the best time is after a meal, chewing sugar-free gum will help clean food from between the teeth. 

Q: Will smoking or chewing tobacco stain the aligners?
A: Yes, it is possible to stain the aligner if you smoke or chew tobacco.

Q: What should I do if I loss or break an aligner?
A: We tell our patients that they should go back to their previous aligner and call us so we can order a new aligner.

Summer Time and Straight Teeth

Summer is one of the best times to get starting on teeth straightening.  This time of the year hours or more relaxed and flexible.  Patients are out of school which means you won't be missing school.  We have early morning and lunchtime hours so you won't miss camp or work.

We also have many patients starting invisalign.  They are really enjoying that we don't have to take impressions to make the invisalign anymore.  With our new I-tero scanner patients will have a 3-D model of their teeth in around 10 minutes.  Then those models are set directly to invisalign.  Doctors turn around time on invisalign has never been faster.  Don't have invisalign?  Make an appointment today!

Retention-  Remember to wear your retainer!  If you go for any length of time without wearing your retainer and it is not fitting properly please visit your orthodontist today!  The longer you go without a retainer that fits properly the more likely your teeth will move.  Patients get out of schedule without having daily schedule and vacations and camps and we understand but your teeth do not.  Make sure to bring your retainers with you on trips and make sure that you store them in a case and in a cool or room temperature environment.

Cleaning- Make sure that you clean your retainers when you clean your teeth and remember that we will clean your retainer anytime just call before you come in.

Remember to support Century Orthodontics by wearing your Century Orthodontic T-Shirt when you travel and to bring in or share a photo with us!

What's Next?

After I am finished with my orthodontic treatment 

what comes next?

              After you are finished wearing braces or Invisalign the next step is retention.  Retainers come in many shapes and sizes.  Each patient is special and has special needs for their teeth so retainers vary from patient to patient.  Whatever type of retainer is chosen for you should be worn for as long as you would like to keep your teeth straight.  So if you would like your teeth to stay straight forever, the only way that you can ensure that they do is to wear a retainer for 4-12 hours everyday or as instructed by the doctor.

In our office we typically use these retainers for these types of orthodontic procedures:

Full fixed (Braces)- Traditional retainer and a bonded (glued in retainer).
Invisalign- Essix (clear in office invisalign type retainer) or a Vivera (made by Invisalign)


What does that mean?

Types of retainers and their pros and cons:

• Traditional Retainers-  These retainers are an oldie but a goodie.  They are more bulky but they have lots of advantages.  These retainers can last 20-30 yrs and still do a great job.  These can have a picture or color choice added to them so that they can show off your personality.  These retainers can be adjusted if teeth have moved and are more forgiving if you slack in wearing them a few nights.  Traditional retainers also are a little less comfortable then the other types of retainers.

• Bonded Lower Retainers- Are a great way to keep your teeth straight and not have to worry about remembering to put it in your mouth.  These retainers are one of the easiest to wear but one of the hardest to keep clean.  Glued in retainers make it difficult to floss and to brush behind but it is possible.

• Essix Retainers- These in office clear plastic retainers are super comfy and invisible but they do have a few drawbacks.  These retainers are great but only last about a year to a year in half just like contact lens.  They can become expensive if you are going to wear them for a life time because you have to replace them yearly.  (About $100 an arch)

• Vivera Retainers- Invisalign's retention appliance is a great option for patients who love the clear aligners but aren't available to get to an orthodontist every year.  These retainers are made by either taking an impression or a LED Scan.  They are made by Invisalign and are made 4 sets at a time.  So you won't have to come back in for appointments yearly.  Also the scans are saved by invisalign so as long as your last aligner fits you may never have to take an impression again.     

How Much Do I Wear My Invisalign

How much do I wear my Invisalign aligners?

           Patients that are moving teeth and are wearing Invisalign appliances should wear their aligners anywhere from 23-22 hours everyday to get the best optimal wear. 

           This amounts to taking them out only to eat or to brush.  One nice thing about Invisalign though is if you have a special occasion or a meeting or even photo shoot you can take them out and just make up the time you lost at the end of your two week process.  

           Certain days you may not want to risk losing them so you can just keep them in a safe place and just add a day at the end.  The one thing that you must always do is wear them for the full two weeks.  Each aligner is only designed to do 100% of its job it can not do anymore than that so if you aren't wearing your aligners enough you will build an in correction into your future aligners.  

"Shopping" for Orthodontics?

Would you pick a heart surgeon on price alone? Now teeth are not quite life and death, but they do play a huge part in your appearance and well being!

Braces and Invisalign are simply tools. The results that are achieved are entirely dependent upon the skills of the doctor and staff. When evaluating your options, this is the most important factor to consider in your buying decision.

Our doctors are specialists in the field of orthodontics. Trained in all aspects of orthodontic diagnosis and correction, they have the ability to utilize many different techniques to get the best possible results in the minimum amount of time.

Our practice was a pioneer in the use of Invisalign since its inception in 1999 and our disignation as an Elite provider puts us in the top Invisalign practices in the country. Only 1% of orthodontics reach this status.

How We Practice

 Unlike most group practices, treatment at our office is a mutual collaboration, with Dr. Waxler and Dr. Cavanaugh jointly  diagnosing, treatment planning, and treating most of our patients.  We feel that the advantages of multiple insights has been extremely beneficial for our patients.  We do understand, however, that certain patients may desire or require a particular doctor. 

 Where We Come From

Our practice has been around for a very LONG time, over a century.  Dr. Edward Angle is considered around the world to be the father of modern orthodontics.  Among his many accomplishments were the invention of the edgewise appliance which are the "braces" used by the majority of the world's orthodontists, establishing the world's first school for orthodontic education right here in St. Louis in the year 1899 and finally founder and first president of what has become the American Association of Orthodontists which has its headquarters here in St. Louis.  As we traced our origins, we were pleased to discover that our founder and predecessor was this very same Dr. Angle, who started his private orthodontic practice in 1896.  His practice has changed hands and moved locations through the years but has always remained intact.

 

Helmets and Mouth Guards

Sports safety is a very important thing to think about when getting involved with any sport. In the past it was seen as un-cool to wear a helmet when riding a bike. In some cities in the US laws are passed to enforce the importance of wearing one for your safety. By spending $20 on a bike helmet, you could not only save yourself from a concussion but also your life. Helmets keep players alive and prevent 1 head injury every four minutes. A face guard is attached to the helmet completely covering the face. This makes players 35% less likely to have a facial injury.

When playing any sports where the player could get hit in the mouth, a mouth guard is needed. People don’t realize that by wearing a mouth guard this decreases the odds of injury to your lips, teeth, and even your brain. When protective mouth wear is being worn correctly, it can decrease the chance of getting a concussion. Mouth guards can range anywhere from $5-$150, but rehabilitation costs for a single tooth knocked out can surpass the price of a custom made mouth guard by 20 times. Most of the sports related injuries happen at practice. So that means not only do you have to wear a mouth guard and helmet during the games but also at practice. In orthodontics we have lots of teens who play a wide variety of sports and extra activities. Some of the most dangerous sports are not ones that you would think would be dangerous. Cheerleading and gymnastics as well as horseback riding are all activities where we have seen a lot of broken brackets and mouth injuries. We see a lot of these injuries because people don’t see them as dangerous and don’t take the precautions that they would for football or hockey. This year alone 5 million teeth will be knocked out while people are playing sports. We at Century Orthodontics hope that you do not become part of that statistic.

No More Goopey Mess

Invisalign Intraoral Scanner

Our goal at Century Orthodontics has always been to be the St. Louis Leader in Invisalign treatment. We were the first in the Missouri to use Invisalign and we have consistently been one of the top Invisalign providers in the country. That's why we are the first orthodontic office in St. Louis to acquire the iOC Invisalign intraoral scanner. The scanner will allow us to do away the gooey impressions that are normally used to created 3-D models of the teeth. While this machine costs as much as a nice new car, we feel that our patients are worth it!

The benefits of a 3-D dental scanner:

-no need to have impressions taken, leading to a much more comfortable experience and no gagging

-increased accuracy leading to better fitting appliances and thus better control of tooth movement

-elimination of rejected impressions and redo’s

-ability to see the 3-D image of your teeth immediately following the scan

-Ability to view Invisalign tooth animation in a few days vs. a few weeks, allowing us to start treatment 50% faster

The scans generally take between 15-20 minutes, which is comparable to the time required for a full set of impressions. Unlike other scanning systems, iOC is a laser and optical scanner, so there is also no concern about any radiation.

Our office has scheduled 3 days of hand-on training and will begin using the scanner for most Invisalign and Invisalign Teen patients shortly. We think this is going to really improve the overall Invisalign experience and look forward to helping you smile without braces!

How long do I need to wear my retainers?

How long do I need to wear my retainers?

This is a question that is asked almost everyday in our office. The answer is an easy one, you need to wear them as long as you would like to keep your teeth straight. If you would like your teeth to be straight until you are 90 then wear your retainers until you are 90. We can only ensure that your teeth stay straight as long as you wear your retainers and they fit properly. Dr. Waxler always says "Our bodies are ever changing no matter how long you've held your teeth straight they can still move as you get older. Even people who had "perfect" teeth when they were young, often find their teeth moving slightly as they age."

So what good were braces?

The secret of a good orthodontic result is to put the teeth in the most stable position that is possible considering the person's facial structure and dental problems. After a few years in retainers, the tooth arrangement should be reasonably stable; although corrected dental and skeletal problems all have varying tendencies to "rebound". This is like people who always have to be on a diet or wear glasses to correct a problem, some teeth need to be retained forever.

If I decide not to wear my retainer...., should I still see my Orthodontist?

After approximately two years of retainer wear we enter into a post-retention period. We require appointments on a "as needed" basis. Unless you are told that your problem is particularly unstable, you may only need to wear your retainer 2-4 nights a week. If you lose, break or your retainer no longer fits please call our office to make an appointment so we can advise you on what options will fit your situation best. If you have graduated from our office there may be an office visit charge or a replacement fee.

What about my bonded (or glued in) retainer?

You may come back to see us anytime to have our office check your bonded retainer, but your regular dentist can evaluate this retainer for you at your dental check ups. If anything appears to be wrong please call us immediately to have it checked. If we need to remove this retainer we suggest getting a removable retainer to ensure that your teeth will stay straight. You may have this retainer removed at anytime and take an impression for a removable retainer to be made (at the current fee). This removable retainer will be asked to wear at night time for as long as you would like to hold those teeth straight.