Dr. Richard Featherstone is a Dentist who has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Invisalign.
Q. What is an invisalign?
A. Invisalign is a system for straightening teeth with comfort and normal appearance. It is a series of clear, removable aligners (no wires) to comfortably move your teeth over time to give you a beautiful smile.
Q. How does invisalign work?
A. After records are made in our office, we send them along with a prescription to Align Technology. A technician uses the records to make a 3D model of the teeth. She then moves the teeth into ideal position on the computer screen. The software creates multiple aligners, each a little different to reach the end goal. The patient is instructed to wear the aligners 22 hours per day, and change to the next one every two weeks.
Q. What are the primary benefits of invisalign?
A. Invisalign is comfortable to wear, since it is smooth to the cheek and tongue, as compared with wires that poke and scratch with regular braces. Invisalign can be removed when going out to eat, or snacking with the kids. The aligners are clear, and invisible to others. It is becoming generally accepted that straight teeth are healthier, because cleaning is more efficient.
Q. How long does invisalign treatment take?
A. Treatment time for Invisalign is from 5 months to 2 years, rarely more. The average time is 11 months.
Q. How much does invisalign cost?
A. In our office the fees range from $2800 to $5800, depending on the time to completion.
Q. Who uses invisalign?
A. There is a special Invisalign product for teenagers. Wires are out of style. Many adults who missed out on braces as a child want straight teeth. Others who had braces as a teenager, didn’t wear their retainers, and teeth crowded up again. My favorite story is M. L. He had the worst crowding imaginable, yet a series of multiple aligners changed every two weeks plus tooth whitening and some minor reshaping and bonding changed his life. He is a retired executive, and said in our interview, "When I was seven years old, I went to the dentist to have a tooth worked on. I developed an infection which swelled up my face. After draining the infection, I overheard the physician tell my father, "Your son could have died from that infection. I vowed never to set foot in a dentist’s office again, which my parents respected." Then, he said, "When some people retire, they want to buy a boat, or a vacation home, or travel the world. I just want to get my teeth straightened." I explained some risks to him, and gave him the alternative of full braces with the orthodontist down the hall. He looked me in the eye and said, "There is no way I am going to do regular braces, because I won’t be seen with wires on my teeth. So, it is Invisalign or nothing. When can we start?" The risks were not realized, and M.L.’s teeth came together even better than expected thanks to Invisalign technology and a little luck! I was invited in 2008 to a national Invisalign meeting and competition. Along with 4 other dentists from around the country, I gave a Powerpoint presentation to an audience of 2000 peers and staff on M. L.’s case. His case won first prize, determined by an applause-o-meter.
Q. Are there certain dental conditions that automatically exclude someone from being an eligible patient?
A. Denture wearers with no teeth are excluded from Invisalign treatment! People with severe gum disease are not eligible. Children under 12 are normally not candidates. We have treated people successfully with bridgework and missing teeth in preparation for rehabilitative dentistry.
Q. How to contact Dr. Featherstone if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
880 Seven Hills Drive Suite #130
Henderson, NV 89052
Phone: (702) 914-4478
Fax: (702) 837-7531
Email: drfeathers@lvcoxmail.com
Website: www.drfeatherstone.com
