Dr. Huff is your go-to dentist to get the straight smile you have always wanted. Kerrville residents can bring their whole family to Dr. Huff and experience the benefits of orthodontics.
What Issues Can Orthodontics Correct?
- Gapped teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Open Bite
- Crowded teeth
- Crossbite
Depending on your lifestyle and orthodontic needs we can determine if Invisalign® or Six Month Smiles® are a better option for you.
Six Month Smiles®
Six Month Smiles® short term orthodontic treatment is a modern twist on tried-and-true orthodontics. There is little debate within the orthodontic community that braces are the most widely used and most effective method to give patients straight, healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Six Month Smiles® has taken the best aspects of braces, modified the treatment and the materials, so busy adults have a common-sense, cosmetic solution that fits their lifestyle. The average treatment time from start to finish is only six months.
Why you will love your Six Month Smiles®
- The use of braces has been shown to provide the most conservative and predictable final result
- Six Month Smiles® Lucid-Lok® clear brackets and tooth-colored wires are barely visible
- Low forces and short overall orthodontic treatment times increase comfort, safety, and hygiene
- Six Month Smiles® Patient Tray Kits™ ensure that your appointments are fast and comfortable
- Six Month Smiles® is typically less expensive than traditional braces, aligner therapy, or veneers
- Average treatment time of only six months
What Is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr. Huff plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
The first step in the process is to come in for a consult with Dr. Huff. If Invisalign® is a good option, you will have x-rays, photos, and impressions of your teeth taken in order to develop a custom treatment plan.
Based on your individual treatment plan, a series of clear aligners are made just for you. You will then wear a series of aligners until you achieve the results you want.
You can remove them to eat, brush, and floss. As you replace the aligners your teeth gradually shift. The entire process start to finish usually takes about a year.
Benefits of Invisalign®
Invisalign offers many benefits over traditional braces, which can be uncomfortable to wear and make dental care a chore. The Invisalign® system allows you to:
Discreetly and comfortably straighten your smile – Because the Invisalign aligners are made from smooth, clear plastic, they’re nearly invisible. In fact, most people won’t even be able to tell you’re wearing them. The smooth design also makes them comfortable to wear, with no sharp wires or rough spots to hurt the inside of your mouth as is typical with traditional braces.
Easily care for your teeth – It’s difficult to properly clean your teeth with brackets and wires in the way. But with Invisalign®, you can just remove your aligners to brush and floss as normal.
Continue eating your favorite foods – Hard and sticky foods can break brackets and are off-limits with braces, but just remove your Invisalign® aligners to eat and you don’t have to worry about damaging your appliances.
Minimize orthodontic treatment time – Braces can take several years to fully straighten your teeth, whereas treatment with invisalign® can usually be completed in about a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign treatment is one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatments available. You may feel slight pressure or discomfort when you start wearing a new set of customized aligners. This is completely normal as your teeth begin to adjust while wearing them, and should ease up within a day or two.
To properly take care of your Invisalign trays, take them out each morning and night to thoroughly clean both your teeth and aligners. Dr. Huff recommends rinsing your custom trays with water, antibacterial soap, and a soft-bristled brush to prevent plaque and tartar build-up.
Remember not to use hot water while cleaning them, as this can cause your aligners to misshape. Also, soak your Invisalign aligners at least once a day and rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.
Yes, it is possible to substitute your traditional metal braces for Invisalign clear aligners. However, not every patient may be a candidate to make the switch, depending on a number of factors and their individual case. It’s best to schedule a consultation with Dr. Huff so he can examine your teeth and determine if Invisalign treatment is the most effective option for you.
In most cases, Six Month Smiles is ideal for patients 16 years of age and older with crooked, misaligned, or gapped teeth. If you have an overbite or underbite, we suggest coming in for a consultation so Dr. Huff can examine your teeth to consider whether you’re a candidate for Six Month Smiles. Contact our Kerrville office at (830) 896-8343 to get started today.