Invisalign Dentist in Austin
The Invisalign System uses a combination of advanced 3D models and a century-worth of orthodontics knowledge. The system uses clear aligners that are custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly.
Your first step should be visiting Great Grins Dental in Austin to discuss with Dr. Shaw whether Invisalign is right for your case.
If you have crooked or crowded teeth, your dentist in Austin, TX, may recommend several orthodontic treatments to help straighten your smile, including traditional metal braces and clear aligners. Most patients prefer clear braces to traditional braces with their metal wires and brackets because they’re virtually unnoticeable and convenient, yet they’re just as effective if not better.
But when it comes to choosing clear braces, there are several options available, including Invisalign. Why should you choose the Invisalign system over other clear braces options?
The Invisalign system uses a set of transparent aligners to move teeth to the correct position. Clear braces, on the other hand, are made from ceramic material that can be either transparent or tooth colored for camouflage. Although both treatments are difficult to detect compared to metal braces, clear braces are more noticeable than the transparent Invisalign retainers.
The Invisalign system is bonded to your teeth and connected to each other via an arch wire that applies pressure on your teeth to shift their position.
Like with metal braces, patients using clear braces need to visit the dentist every four weeks to get them adjusted. Although Invisalign aligners are changed every two weeks, you can take home a set of 3-4 aligners to reduce the frequency of dental visits.
Many patients with clear braces often report irritation to the cheeks and lips because of the rough ceramic surface, but this is hardly ever a problem.
Ceramic braces are susceptible to chipping and breaking, which can prevent you from enjoying certain foods during the treatment, compared to Invisalign aligners which need to be removed when eating. Clear braces can also make it harder to clean your teeth because of the wire, which can also cause staining if you consume a lot of black coffee. That said, they are recommended for treating more severe cases of crooked teeth, malocclusion, and crossbites.
Both clear braces and Invisalign aligners are great options for inconspicuous orthodontic treatment. Please discuss with your dentist in Austin, TX, about the best treatment for your case.
An oral examination is the best way for your dentist to assess the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Exams are one of the typical components of a routine dental visit in Austin, in addition to professional teeth cleaning.
Please call our office for more information. 512.346.1900.
Dental professionals across the globe recommend that you visit your dentist every six months for the routine exam and cleaning. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t miss your next dental appointment:
A routine checkup typically involves an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning, both of which form a vital part of your dental health and overall wellbeing. Studies show that gum disease is connected to a number of serious health conditions, including stroke, heart disease, premature birth, and some types of arthritis. Poor oral health can also affect your memory and cognitive skills.
Oral cancer has a survival rate of 63% if detected in the first year, but this drops considerably with delayed treatment. Oral cancer screening is a common component of a regular dental exam, where the dentist checks for any abnormal growth in the mouth cavity – lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, tonsil, floor and roof of the mouth, tonsil, salivary gland, back of the throat, and oropharynx.
Also referred to as dental prophylaxis, professional dental cleanings require a dental professional to use special instruments to remove plaque and calculus on the surface of your teeth and below the gum line. This effectively removes harmful bacteria in your mouth that are responsible for gum inflammation, which is an indicator of periodontal disease. If not removed, the bacteria buildup leads to bad breath, stained teeth, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and general poor health.
Preventive dental care through regular dental exams and cleaning can reduce the discomfort and cost associated with major dental work. Keeping a regular dental routine will also help you maintain your white, dazzling smile for great confidence at all times.
Contact us online or call our office at 512-346-1900 to schedule a dental exam and teeth cleaning today!
Your first visit to a new dental practice is usually very important. Unless you have an emergency dental situation that needs immediate attention, a new patient consultation typically involves a thorough assessment of your oral cavity and and review of your dental and medical history.
The objective is to identify the current state of your mouth, make a diagnosis of existing or possible issues, and develop a long-term preventative plan that will optimize the function, health, and aesthetics of your mouth.
At Great Grins Dental in Austin, we focus on providing all our patients with a warm and inviting environment where you feel comfortable during your appointments with Dr. Shaw.
On your first visit, you will meet with Dr. Shaw to discuss your medical and dental history. This is also a great opportunity to share any fears, worries, or ideas you may have concerning your smile and oral health. You can also expect:
Dr. Shaw will visually inspect your gums to check for sore, swollen, or bleeding gums, and teeth to identify any cavities, chipped or broken teeth, overcrowding, and other indicators of problems. She will also inspect your lips, cheeks, tongue, and palate to look for any ulcers or unusual discolorations.
Se will also perform an oral-cancer screening by checking for any anomalies such as lumps, bumps, and swelling.
Dr. Shaw will then examine your jaw and bite for any problems, such as misalignment or bone disease. It is important to assess the health of your hard tissues as they facilitate the proper function of your mouth and maintain the proper facial structure.
Dr. Shaw may also require x-rays to examine the structure of your teeth and bone tissue underneath the gums. X-rays provide a more detailed analysis of your teeth, below the gums, allowing us to spot issues that are not apparent through a basic visual inspection. These x-rays will help us check for impacted teeth, jaw fractures, and sinus conditions, and determine the severity of cavities, gum disease, and bone loss, while providing a benchmark for future appointments.
Lastly, Dr. Shaw will professionally clean your teeth to remove buildup plaque and tartar, and address any specific issues you may have. The initial exam is important for you and your dental team to understand your needs and create a custom dental preventative and treatment that will optimize your oral health.
Only $99. Dr. Shaw will then schedule your next appointment depending on the state of your mouth, either for a regular checkup or for dental treatment for an issue that was identified during the initial consultation.
Schedule an appointment at Great Grins Dental in Austin today, and we’ll work together to give you and your family a beautiful smile and healthy mouth. Contact us online or call our office for more information at 512-346-1900.
Until a few decades ago, dentures were the only way to replace missing teeth. With a complete set of teeth and gums, people were able to regain the function and aesthetic of their mouth.
What you may not realize is that dental technology has advanced considerably since then. There are new materials and equipment that allow for the custom-fabrication of a vastly improved set of dentures.
Thanks to modern dentistry, most of the concerns associated with dentures have been addressed. That said, you should only get your dentures from a reputable dentist in Austin. Cheap or ill-fitting dentures can move around in the mouth causing pain, discomfort, and chewing and talking difficulties. So make sure to visit a skilled dentist for properly fitting dentures.
Contact us to learn about our current Invisalign Offer at our dental office in Austin, TX. The Invisalign System for straightening your teeth is comfortable, discreet, and convenient for most people. You pop in a new set of clear aligners every two weeks or so until the treatment is complete, giving you the perfect teeth and confident smile you’ve always wanted.
But most doctors recommend that after the treatment, you wear a retainer to keep the teeth from shifting back into their original position. This is necessary regardless of whether you use braces or Invisalign aligners. That said, every case is different, and you need to discuss with your orthodontist about the need for post-treatment retainers, and whether you need them for both the upper and lower set of teeth.
One of the biggest concerns for patients considering Invisalign for straightening their teeth is that it may cost more than traditional braces. Despite the many benefits of Invisalign, the cost and even treatment time is comparable to braces. But as with any other treatment, only your dentist or orthodontist can determine the actual cost depending on your specific needs and other factors like:
Please keep in mind that you may need to change some of your lifestyle habits for optimal results. It is particularly important that you don’t smoke while wearing aligners because they may get discolored – even if you only wear them for two weeks.
Great Grins Dental in Austin offers multiple special offers for all dental patients. As a new patient, you only need to pay $1 for an emergency exam that includes an X-ray. If your case is not an emergency but you still need to consult with Dr. Shaw for the first time, you only need to pay $99 for the exam, which includes X-rays and preventative cleaning.
If you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, then you also get free whitening to give you a white, dazzling smile. Please contact us online or call our office for more information on 512-346-1900.
Dr. Shaw spent the last few days training as a clinical director for the Healthy Smiles Program with the Special Olympics and providing screenings for those with intellectual disabilities…oh and busting out some moves on the dance floor with some athletes!
At Great Grins Dental we are happy to see those with special needs and help them as best as we can and give them the best resources for treatment we may not be able to provide!
During a comprehensive dental examination, dentists usually examine your teeth and gums, as well as the tongue, jaw, salivary glands, neck, head, and other areas of your mouth, neck and head. They check for any abnormalities such as cracks, lumps, bleeding, swelling, ulcerations, discolorations, and so on. If need be, they may even recommend further diagnostic procedures such as biopsies to check for oral cancer.
What you may not realize is that the health of your mouth is a direct reflection of your overall health and wellbeing. Through an oral examination, your dentist can not only detect cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues, but also spot early warning signs of other diseases in your body, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Many scientific studies have found a close relation between oral health and a range of general health conditions. Your mouth can provide signals for various health disorders. For instance:
Moreover, poor oral health can adversely affect your overall health. Studies show that harmful bacteria in your mouth get into your bloodstream and cause infections in other body tissues when your immunity has been weakened by disease or harsh treatments. Conversely, systemic conditions and their medications or treatments can also affect your oral health, like reduced saliva production and bad breath.
Many studies have shown that some oral conditions share common risk factors with major chronic disease, like the connection between gum disease and heart disease and cancer.
Although the association between oral diseases and certain medical conditions is not well understood, the awareness that your oral health and your general health are connected is vital for devising proper oral health care routines.
A dental professional who understands the importance of integrating general health care policies into your oral health care plan can help to improve your dental health and overall quality of life.
Professional, in-office teeth whitening at Great Grins Dental can help you keep your smile at its best, safely and effectively. Depending on your choice of whitening option, the results can be achieved in as little as one hour.
It is important that you discuss the specifics of your case with Dr. Shaw at Great Grins Dental in Austin so you choose the best teeth whitening option for you. In most cases, you may require a combination of in-office and at-home treatments to preserve your sparkling smile.
