What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?

May 19, 2023

Invisalign is a popular dental treatment for people wanting an alternative to braces to straighten teeth and fix their bite patterns. Up until Invisalign was rolled out when a patient needed their teeth alignment corrected, they only had braces as an option which carries drawbacks that often stop someone from correcting their teeth. 

It’s important, when looking into different treatments, to understand how it works so you can make an informed decision with your dentist for the right treatment for you. If you’re considering Invisalign and curious as to how it works, read on and learn if joining Invisalign users is the right decision for you. 

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign works by using clear aligners to move teeth into the desired position and created from computer-generated images and impressions of your mouth to create a series of molds. Over the months, Invisalign pushes the teeth steadily using gentle pressure to create tooth movement and correct them. 

The clear aligners that are custom fitted to your teeth are removable, making it much easier to maintain your regular brushing habits and not worry if food and plaque get caught in the Invisalign trays. One of the greatest appeals of Invisalign is that you can remove and clean them, unlike braces where brushing and keeping food from building up can be a difficult annoyance. 

Some people may wonder if Invisalign is for all types of patients or if there are restrictions on who can use them. You’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign is available for most people who want to improve their smile or arrange their teeth better, but Invisalign only works when all of the baby teeth have been extracted or emerged. 

The Invisalign Process

Now that you know what Invisalign is and how it works, we can focus on the process of a patient getting Invisalign. Much like traditional braces, there are several steps before Invisalign is made and applied:

Initial Consultation and X-Rays

The first step towards Invisalign is a consultation with your dentist to discuss the process, how it works, and the cost to you. If you decide to move forward, your dentist will take X-rays and photographs of your mouth, teeth, and face from different angles to create a detailed map of your mouth’s mechanics. Once the map is assembled an impression can be taken for the lab that makes the Invisalign aligners (trays). 

First Fitting

The first set of Invisalign trays you receive are based on the impressions taken before and will likely feel tight when they’re put on. Your dentist will review the fit and may try a few different molds before finding the one you can take home. They’ll ask you different questions about the tray, like how it feels, whether you can feel any movement, and if they’re uncomfortable. If you feel any pain, it’s important to talk about it with your dentist so adjustments can be made, but remember that they’ll feel uncomfortable at first. 

Tray Change 

Invisalign is a multi-step process with different trays being used as your teeth move more and more into the new positions. Every one or two weeks, depending on what your dentist finds during check-ins, you’ll receive the next phase of trays. 

Benefits of Invisalign Dental Treatment

Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign offers several advantages that they don’t, including:

• Traditional braces can take between 16 to 18 months, sometimes longer than 2 years depending on the goal of the dental treatment and the patient’s circumstances teeth-wise. Invisalign treatment is designed with a precise movement planned out and usually takes around a year to complete. 
• With traditional braces, it’s important to see your orthodontist frequently for adjustments and monitoring progress. These dental office visits can include replacing a bracket, changing the wire size, tightening, or wiring with extra wires, which can take several hours. With Invisalign, the visits you do make to your dental office won’t be nearly as long. These visits are primarily to have a set of aligners switches and to ensure everything is moving as it should.
• Traditional braces can be brushed around but leave a great deal of space covered and that can make it more difficult to clean around the wires. If food gets behind any of the metal, you would need a small brush or try to pick the food out with another dental tool and plaque easily gets stuck around and inside the brackets, which if left there can cause gum disease or tooth decay. With Invisalign, you’re able to remove the trays and continue with your normal dental routine.

Dental Health is a Click Away

If Invisalign sounds like the right treatment for you to have the smile you deserve, Dr. Li and the care team at Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic also provide Invisalign treatments and strive to make dental care affordable, and accessible to all of our patients. We will work with you to find a treatment plan that works for your financial situation.

If you have questions about our emergency dental service, our team of compassionate professionals can help you understand all of your options. Contact us now or give us a call at (780) 705-9866.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with Dental Emergencies

Apr 19, 2023

Dental emergencies can be a stressful experience, filled with anxieties about what to do in the situation. No matter the type of dental emergency, it’s important to have some basic information to know how to handle the situation to make for a better dental recovery, whether you’re dealing with a broken tooth or some other oral condition that has become urgent.

To help people know how to deal with an emergency dental situation we’ve compiled basic information for the do’s and don’ts of dealing with dental emergencies. Read through the tips below and find out how to navigate a dental emergency that can help restore your oral health.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency?

Stop Any Bleeding in the Mouth

In any type of medical emergency, the first thing to do is always to stop any bleeding. For dental emergencies, this mainly applies to someone who is bleeding profusely instead of some blood mixed in saliva. When someone is bleeding in their mouth or from a tooth knocked out, you’ll want to use a clean and cold washcloth and apply direct pressure to the site of the injury. To help stop blood flowing down in the throat, you’ll want to lean forward; do not lie down or stand up as you may risk fainting.

Find Pieces of a Broken Tooth

If the situation is a broken or chipped tooth, be sure to look for any pieces that have fallen out. A dentist can bond the tooth back together, though it’s more likely when there is a clean break instead of a shattered tooth. Any pieces found should be placed in a small cup of milk and brought to the dentist’s office.

Keep Knocked-Out Teeth in Milk

As mentioned earlier, any part of a tooth and the tooth itself should always be put into milk to increase the chances of it being successfully placed back. Milk has a similar chemical composition as saliva, so it’s a perfect choice to keep teeth moist until you can get to your dentist or an emergency dentist.

Take Any Tooth Pain Seriously

Many people ignore their toothaches until they can’t be anymore, often trying to dull the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers. It’s important to never ignore tooth pain, it’s an indication that something is wrong, but not all tooth pain qualifies as an emergency. For home treatment, you can floss around the tooth that is in pain and see if anything was lodged there. If the flossing makes no difference, you could have a cavity, abscess, or another dental issue that needs to be checked out.

Use Cold Compresses

A cold compress should be in the freezer for any adult because they are excellent at reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. During a dental emergency, a cold compress can give you relief and help keep the area from swelling further while waiting to see a dentist, but be sure to wrap it in a towel to prevent any damage to your skin.

What Not to Do During Dental Emergencies

Don’t Panic During a Dental Emergency

No matter the type of dental emergency, it’s important not to panic and try to remain calm to take steps that can help you through the situation. If you’re not the one with the emergency, staying calm is a big help to the person who is, helping them to focus on getting to a dentist and taking steps to save their teeth or prevent further problems.

Don’t Touch the Root of the Tooth

Never, ever touch the root of a tooth, and always pick up the tooth by the crown (the part of the tooth you can see in your mouth). The root of a tooth has very delicate periodontal cells that when damaged, make the chances of successful re-implantation less likely.

Don’t Hesitate to Go to an Emergency Room

Most people don’t know that they can go to an emergency room if going through a dental emergency, especially if a dentist is unavailable or there has been significant facial trauma or uncontrolled bleeding. A hospital will be better equipped to handle any blood loss, broken facial bones, or other possible complications other than dental health. Once the emergency part is taken care of, then you can make an appointment with your dentist to take care of the dental parts of the incident.

Don’t Use Aspirin for Pain

Many people will reach for over-the-counter pain relievers to help with dental pain till they can see their dentist, but if there is any bleeding then avoid taking aspirin at all costs. Aspirin is a blood thinner and will make stopping it very difficult. Although you still want to avoid aspirin as if going for emergency dental treatment, any bleeding they cause will be more difficult to stop by natural clotting or through medical means.

Dental Emergency Services

What is just as important as knowing what to do during a dental emergency is knowing if your dentist offers emergency services. Take note of whether your dentist does or if there are other dental emergency services that you could call if it occurs. Dr. Li and the care team at Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic also provide emergency dental services and strive to make dental care affordable, and accessible to all of our patients. We will work with you to find a treatment plan for your dental veneers that works for your financial situation.

If you have questions about our emergency dental service, our team of compassionate professionals can help you understand all of your options. Contact us now or give us a call at (780) 705-9866.

What is a Dental Emergency: Common Dental Emergencies & How to Handle Them

Mar 24, 2023

A dental emergency can be a stressful and painful time, with discomfort, swelling, and leading to a host of other dental issues, but what exactly defines a dental emergency? It’s important to know what constitutes dental emergencies, not just so dentists aren’t clogged with common dental problems that could’ve waited for an appointment, but to recognize immediate threats to your health.

What is a Dental Emergency?

While many dental situations can be very painful, not all dental issues are considered an emergency. To help guide you in choosing whether to make an appointment with your dentist or to go to an emergency dentist, there are a few questions you can ask yourself:

1. Am I in severe pain? If the pain is severe and there is bleeding, it could be a dental emergency.
2. Did I lose a tooth? If a tooth has been knocked out due to trauma or another dental issue, fast treatment could save the tooth.
3. Are my teeth loose? Children and teenagers may have loose teeth fairly often, but an adult should never. If you feel a loose tooth, even without pain, it’s a serious problem.
4. Do I have an infection? An abscess or serious infection in the mouth can be life-threatening and treatment should be quickly sought out.
5. Am I bleeding? If your gums are bleeding, it’s a potential sign of a dental emergency.
   

Common Types of Dental Emergencies

While there are signs of experiencing a dental emergency, it’s also good to be familiar with the most common dental emergencies and what to do till you can see an emergency dentist:

• Unexplainable toothache: a sudden and unexplainable toothache qualifies as an emergency as it’s the body’s way of saying something is wrong. Until you can see a dentist you can apply a cold compress, rinse your mouth with salt water, and use over-the-counter pain medication.
• Swollen or Bleeding Gums: occasional gum irritation doesn’t require an immediate dentist visit, but gums that won’t stop bleeding (especially when there is pain and swelling) can mean an underlying issue. 
• Swollen Mouth or Jaw: if your mouth or jaw begins to suddenly swell for no apparent reason, seek out immediate medical attention as it could be an infection, lymph node irritation, or another issue that requires an emergency dentist.
• Knocked-Out Tooth: When a tooth is suddenly knocked-out, it is a dental emergency and requires immediate action to potentially save the tooth and reinsert it. Before seeing an emergency dentist and while you wait for dental care it’s important to pick up the tooth by the top to not touch the root, rinse it without scrubbing, and place it in a container of milk or water.
• Missing Filling or Broken Crown: a missing filling can expose the tooth’s nerve and cause many other dental problems without immediate treatment. Similarly, a broken crown or one that has fallen out can leave the tooth exposed and vulnerable to infection and further damage. Both require an immediate visit to the dentist.
• Abscessed Tooth: a dental abscess is a dental emergency, it is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition where a pocket of pus in the tooth has led to an infection and causes fever, tooth sensitivity, persistent toothache, tender lymph nodes in the neck, face swelling, and a pimple-like bump on the gums near the infected tooth.
  

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

When any of these dental problems arise and the questions listed guide you towards confirming a dental emergency, it’s important to seek emergency dental service straightaway. By ignoring or waiting while having an emergency dental problem, you risk losing teeth, additional discomfort, and the problem becoming more extensive and life-threatening. It is important to note that emergency rooms can treat some dental emergencies such as:

• Bacterial infections
• Bleeding gums
• Cracked or chipped teeth
• Dental fractures
• Pain
  

Dr. Li and the care team at Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic also provide emergency dental services and strive to make dental care affordable, and accessible to all of our patients. We will work with you to find a treatment plan for your dental veneers that works for your financial situation.

If you have questions about our emergency dental service, our team of compassionate professionals can help you understand all of your options. Contact us now or give us a call at (780) 705-9866.

The Importance of Tongue Care in Dental Hygiene

Feb 9, 2023

Tongue cleaning is essential to having good oral health and has a big impact on your dental hygiene overall. It’s an important habit to develop, though an underrated one. Many people focus on teeth care, making sure to brush and floss to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, but the tongue plays a big role in oral health.  

Read below and discover how the tongue is an important part of oral hygiene and the benefits it brings to your overall health. 

How Tongue Cleaning Impacts Dental Care

Cleaning your tongue is an important part of keeping your teeth and overall oral hygiene top-notch. While brushing your teeth and flossing help get rid of plaque and bacteria, rinsing out your mouth doesn’t wash all the bacteria off the tongue. Think of what your tongue does throughout the day with eating and drinking, licking around your mouth or lips, not only does it share in everything that sticks to your teeth but the taste buds also get coated by it all. 

The surface of the tongue is textured to allow it to hold small particles, which accumulate and can form a multilayered biofilm, water and mouthwash aren’t enough to wash it away. This is why cleaning your tongue is essential to caring for your mouth. 

Important Tongue Cleaning Habits

To properly clean your tongue, there are a few techniques you can use to ensure you’re clearing away bacteria and the film that builds on it:

• After brushing your teeth and flossing, stick out your tongue as far out as you can
• Use your toothbrush or a tongue scrapper
• Start at the back of your tongue and move it toward the front with slight pressure
• If using your toothbrush, you can move in forward and backward motion in small circles 
• Spit out any saliva between brushing
• Rise your mouth and repeat as needed

Remember to brush your tongue gently, doing it harder won’t help improve the cleaning and would only damage your tongue if scrubbing too hard. 

Benefits To Your Teeth and Mouth

By adding tongue brushing and cleaning to your dental habits you gain many benefits for your oral health, from preventing bad breath to a healthier-looking tongue:

• Reducing bacterial growth that can cause dental caries, oral infections, and other oral diseases. 
• Controlling bad breath by scrubbing out bacteria, dead skin cells, and food particles that have been collected on the tongue.
• Reduces sulfur compounds and plaque that accumulates on the tongue
• Improves your sense of taste and smell

Another top benefit of regularly cleaning your tongue is to enjoy a fresher mouth by helping the tongue stay smooth and fresh feeling. The feeling of a slimy tongue and tasting what you’ve eaten throughout the day isn’t particularly enjoyable. Whether you clean your tongue by using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a tongue scraper is a personal choice, but you can always ask your dentist about which one is best for you. 

Now that you understand how important cleaning your tongue is to oral hygiene, be sure to have regular dental appointments so you can catch any oral health issues early, including those that affect or originate from the tongue. Talk with your dentist about good tongue hygiene and the tools you can use to keep it healthy.

If you are looking for a dentist, we have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 587-801-1939 or contact us here.

General Dentistry in Edmonton

Feb 7, 2023