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About 3-D and Airway Centered Orthodontics

At Ferrari Orthodontics, every treatment begins with low radiation 3-D images of the patient. i-CAT Cone Beam 3-D imaging technology gives Dr. Ferrari a high definition, virtual model of the upper and lower jaw and craniofacial bones—more quickly, less expensively and with significantly less radiation than traditional X-rays.
Traditional 2-D scans give orthodontists an approximation of a person’s teeth, jaw and skull. The detailed, 360º picture provided by the i-CAT system, on the other hand, shows Dr. Ferrari exactly what is happening in each patient—so she can develop comprehensive, individualized treatments that build beautiful smiles.

i-CAT also lets Dr. Ferrari diagnose and design corrective or preventative treatments for conditions such as airway issues that often cannot observed by traditional 2-D scans. Using 3-D imaging, Dr. Ferrari can more accurately diagnose and determine if it’s beneficial to enlarge the airway with phase 1 treatment to help prevent obstructive sleep apnea, for example.

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About Invisalign

No method of straightening teeth matches Invisalign®  for comfort, convenience and confidence. Invisalign offers a cutting-edge approach to orthodontic treatment with minimal interference on your lifestyle—and a significant impact on how you’ll look and feel.

Invisalign is only offered by specialized, Invisalign-trained orthodontists. Dr. Claire Ferrari has been treating patients of all ages for over 14 years, making her one of the most experienced Invisalign providers in the country. Dr. Ferrari is skilled at using Invisalign to correct orthodontic issues in a wide range of cases—even in patients who require orthognathic surgery- and sometimes as a way to eliminate the need for orthognathic surgery.

In your initial consultation, you can talk with Dr. Ferrari about Invisalign and any other treatments that may be right for you.

Accelerated Treatment options

We use a variety of accelerated treatment options.

We work with skilled periodontists and oral surgeons to offer Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) which can significantly reduce treatment time as well as enhance bone and tissue response to treatment.

BIOLUX uses light in the near infrared spectrum to increase the rate of tooth movement in a healthy way. It has been shown to decrease treatment time by up to 60%.

PROPEL stimulates bone remodeling, allowing the teeth to move faster and more predictably into their ideal position.

Treatment stages

Initial Visit Preparation and Examination

To prepare for your initial visit we will ask you to fill out our confidential health history form, and send you information about what to expect as we move through the process. Since we focus on how the position of the jaws and teeth affect overall health, we will gather imaging that helps us see not only the jaws and teeth, but how they relate to the back of the throat, the nose and the tongue. You (and your child, if applicable) will meet Dr. Ferrari or Dr. Larios for a clinical examination. We will discuss your needs and issues, and review treatment options. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision.

Diagnostic Records

At your initial exam we will gather ‘diagnostic records’. These records usually consist of photographs and a low dose orthodontic scan on our i-CAT FLX Cone Beam 3-D imaging machine. We will use these images along with the clinical exam and the information you provide on the health history form to diagnose and create a treatment plan. There may be more than one treatment option. We will tailor the plan based on your feedback and your needs.

Treatment Consultation

Once Dr. Ferrari has designed your treatment plan, we will then schedule a half-hour consultation appointment with you.

At this appointment, you and Dr. Ferrari will discuss her diagnostic findings and recommendations for further treatment. We want all our patients to carefully understand the goals of their orthodontic treatment and agree with the approach before we begin.

When patients know more about what we are doing and why, we find treatment goes much faster—and better.

Active Treatment

During treatment— we will generally want to see you every 6-8 weeks to check your progress and make any adjustments to your braces or every 10-12 weeks to deliver new invisalign trays. You will need to keep your appointments during this period, following all of your wearing instructions as well as practice good oral hygiene and proper nutrition. You will also need to continue to visit your dentist regularly.

Retention

Retention is essential for teenagers and adults alike. In fact it’s just as crucial as the active treatment stage, as
good retention will help keep your teeth straight forever.

Retention usually involves wearing orthodontics retainers only at nighttime, and after an initial two year period of
wearing retainers every night, it is possible to eventually reduce the time to as little as once a week.

Treatment phases by age

Children

For children, airway issues can also be critical. 3-D imaging is an invaluable diagnostic tool for airway orthodontics: early obstruction can be detected and the airway enlarged to promote healthy development and prevent problems such as sleep-disordered breathing. For children with potential airway issues and sleep disordered breathing, it may be very beneficial to see them before age 7 to help promote optimal growth and development.

Teens

For teenagers, having a healthy and beautiful smile can provide much-needed self-confidence at a critical time. Adolescence is the best time for most young people to get orthodontic treatment because permanent teeth have just emerged; aligning them will create a healthy bite that will last a lifetime. If the goal is to make more room or enlarge the airway, seeing patients earlier is very beneficial (see Phase 1 for children).

After 3-D imaging in Dr. Ferrari’s offices (office), teens typically wear a full set of braces for 14-16 months. Braces have evolved and in most cases bands (or rings) around the teeth are not necessary.

Almost all teens will be eligible to wear Invisalign Teen® aligners, straightening their teeth without any metal wires and brackets getting in the way. Invisalign Teen is virtually invisible, in fact, and is(remove is) can be removed for easy cleaning after meals.

Adults

For adult patients with chronic adjustment issues, orthodontic care can literally save their teeth. Dr. Ferrari has also worked with many adult patients for whom orthodontic treatment is not simply a matter of a nicer smile. Those suffering from sleep apnea, chronic jaw joint pain, difficulty chewing and headaches may all benefit from orthodontic treatment.

During your treatment

Hygiene

We are sticklers about good oral hygiene. It is the patients responsibility to maintain good oral hygiene throughout treatment. We go over proper brushing and flossing technique with every patient. If good oral hygiene is not maintained, we will stop treatment until the patient demonstrates that they can keep their teeth clean with weekly hygiene checks or ask them to send photos demonstrating good oral care.

Take a peak at the following videos tips for great oral hygiene:

Foods & diet
If you’re wearing braces, there are certain foods that can be trouble. Hard foods can damage your appliances, while sticky foods can quickly cause tooth decay in hard-to-clean areas. Eating the right foods makes caring for your orthodontic appliances and your teeth much easier.

Hard Foods to Avoid

  • Popcorn
  • Hard chips
  • Hard candies
  • Ice (chewing)
  • Nuts, peanut brittle

Sticky Foods to Avoid

  • Gum (none at all)
  • Gummy candies
  • Fruit rollups
  • Caramels, chewy candies

Hard Foods to Avoid

  • Popcorn
  • Hard chips
  • Hard candies
  • Ice (chewing)
  • Nuts, peanut brittle

Foods to Eat Carefully

  • Crunchy fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, etc.) must be cut into small pieces
  • Dense, chewy breads (bagels, pizza crust) should be avoided or torn into small pieces
  • Corn on the cob or meat on the bone (spareribs, chicken wings) can be cut off and eaten in small pieces
Elastics

Elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed 3-4 times a day.

Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:

  1. You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces or invisalign between appointments. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces or aligners after meals. Then put your elastics back on immediately.
  2. Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics.
  3. If you forget to insert your elastics one day, do not double up the next day, just follow your regular instructions.
  4. Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they do not provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken.
  5. If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off call our office immediately. Do not wait until your next appointment. These problems need to be corrected as soon as possible.
Removable appliances

The removable appliance is carefully designed to move or to hold your teeth. It is important that it is worn according to instructions and brought to each appointment.

You must wear your appliance at all times, even while you are asleep.

Avoid flipping your appliance with your tongue. This can cause damage to your teeth or breakage of your appliance.

Your new appliance may make your teeth sore for a day or two, especially after an adjustment. If you have a sore spot on your gums, call our office so that we can adjust the appliance.

Clean your appliance by brushing it daily with toothpaste. Denture cleaner (e.g., Efferdent, Fixodent or Polident) can also be used for a more thorough cleaning. If you are wearing a bonded wire retainer behind your front teeth, be extra careful to clean the wire and the area around it. Flossing should be done every day.

Never wrap your appliance in a paper napkin or tissue and set it down on the table. You or someone else may accidentally throw it away (this happens all the time!). Do not put it in your pocket when playing or you may break or lose it. Whenever it is not in your mouth, it should be placed in its plastic appliance case.

Keep your appliance away from dogs or cats, as they love to chew on them. Avoid storing them near any source of heat. Do not boil your retainer to sterilize it. If needed, bring it to the office and we will be happy to disinfect it for you.

Patient responsibility

It is the patient’s responsibility to keep their teeth and appliances clean and in good condition.
It is the patient’s responsibility to let us know if anything is broken.
It is the patient’s responsibility to wear the elastics and/or invisalign as instructed and to keep their appointments