What Technology & Services Do We Offer?
Types of Braces
Straight teeth look better, yes, but they do much more than that. Straight teeth actually help an individual to effectively bite and chew food, as well as speak. Additionally, people with straight teeth are more likely to have healthier teeth and gums and a higher sense of self-esteem. The Lititz Orthodontics team is here to help you achieve the healthy, attractive smile of your dreams.
Getting your teeth straight for a healthy, attractive smile begins with orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment will be different for each person because people are unique. Typical orthodontic treatment includes braces and retainers. Some people wear braces for several months, some for several years. To shorten the length you have to wear braces, listen to your orthodontist and follow directions you are given for home care.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces. However, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastics, meaning fewer appointments and less friction being placed on the tooth. Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They are the same size as metal braces, but use a specialized clip in place of elastics to help the archwire guide teeth into place. The clip helps reduce the amount of pressure being placed on the tooth, and requires fewer adjustments because there are no elastics to replace.
Clear (Ceramic) Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore “invisible” when you smile. Lingual braces are 100% customized to match the shape of your teeth; the metal appliances are created uniquely for you. Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors/actresses, musicians who play wind instruments, and adult professionals.
Invisalign®
Nobody likes a crooked or gapped smile. In reality, the majority of people with crooked or gapped teeth are extremely self-conscious about their appearance and spend their lives not smiling. Lititz Invisalign® provider, Dr. Michael Palasz, has the ability to change that using one of the most revolutionary orthodontic treatments ever created: the Invisalign system.
Invisalign consists of a series of virtually invisible clear aligners that you replace every two weeks. Each aligner is custom-made and is designed to progressively shift your teeth into proper alignment. Because each aligner is specially made for your bite and smile, you can rest assured that Invisalign will be creating a smile that truly fits you.
We will first start by examining your mouth including your teeth, jaws, jaw joints, muscles, and view them as a complete functional system and decide whether Invisalign is the correct treatment. Using the latest advances in 3-D computer technology, Align Technology will create your custom aligners based upon the doctor’s instructions. Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks, shifting your teeth gradually millimeter by millimeter every week until the very best results have been achieved. The typical turnaround on a full Invisalign treatment usually last about 12 months, however each case is different and may require more or less time.
Invisalign Express consists of a maximum of 10 trays in the system, which is a minimum of 20 weeks of treatment not including retainer treatment. This is for cases that require little movement, mild crowding and mild to no rotation. It is a great system for rebound cases of people who had braces before.
Unlike traditional metal braces that everyone can see, Invisalign is almost completely invisible and undetectable. Invisalign will not hold you back because you can completely remove your aligners to eat, drink, brush and floss. You will also enjoy the comfort of not feeling irritation to your gums and cheeks because unlike tradition metal braces, Invisalign has smooth edges.
If you are ready to transform your appearance and live your life smiling, call your Lititz Invisalign provider Dr. Michael Palasz today.
Invisalign Teen®
Lititz Invisalign Teen® patients are now finding it easier to smile thanks to Dr. Michael Palasz. Like its predecessor, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen uses a series of removable, clear plastic aligners that straighten a teen’s smile millimeter by millimeter week by week.
Invisalign Teen can be used to treat overly crooked teeth, crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, overbites, crossbites and underbites. Only a trained Invisalign provider can determine if Invisalign Teen is the right orthodontic treatment for you.
After consulting with the doctor, the aligners are constructed using the latest of 3-D technology that map your teeth’s movement. These new teen-targeted aligners are shaped in a way that allows your permanent teeth to grow in with ease. They have a Blue Dot Wear Indicator, which fades away every two weeks, thus letting you know when a new set of aligners are needed. Invisalign Teen easily adapts to a teen’s busy and active lifestyle by offering free replacement aligners should they get lost.
Because Invisalign Teen is virtually invisible, teens are finding themselves smiling more during and after treatment. Getting teased for having braces is now a thing of the past. Invisalign Teen patients are having the confidence to succeed both in and outside school. Invisalign Teen aligners are easy to remove, hence promoting better oral hygiene as well as offering a virtually pain-free experience with less irritation to the gums and mouth. The best part about Invisalign is that they can be removed for those special occasions in a teenager’s life like graduation or prom.
For a Free, No Obligation Invisalign Teen consultation, contact us at our Lititz practice today.
Lititz Orthodontic Clear Aligner Instructions
Congratulations on your decision to pursue improved oral health with invisible braces! Please read this worksheet carefully and make sure to clarify any questions you may have regarding your invisible clear aligner treatment with our team.
The start of treatment:
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Records (x-rays and photos) and scans will be gathered for Dr. Palasz to properly diagnose your treatment and start the process of aligner fabrication. The majority of patients have additional scans taken at the end of their first set of aligners in order to fabricate a second or third set of detailing trays. Your individual treatment time is an estimate based on the difficulty of your treatment (how many teeth need to be moved) and is not based on the number of aligners you receive in your first set.
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The process of scan submission, communication, and finally aligner fabrication takes 4-6 weeks. Your appointment will be scheduled for 6 weeks out after your initial scan. If the aligners come back sooner, we will attempt to bring you back for an earlier appointment.
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At your next appointment attachments will be bonded to your teeth as shown below, with placement varying on your specific case and movements.
Treatment Progress:
4. The most important variable for success of your treatment is your compliance to wear the aligners as instructed. Aligners need to be worn at minimum 22 hours per day, without exception. This includes faithful wear of rubber bands please, if indicated, during treatment.
Additionally, your aligners should have no visible space seen between the edge of the teeth, and the aligner itself. The aligners should always fit tight over the teeth, so no space is visible at the edge of the teeth. If a gap exists, aligner chewies should be used faithfully until the aligner fits properly.
DO NOT TRANSITION TO YOUR NEXT ALIGNER UNTIL ALL GAPS
BETWEEN THE TEETH AND THE ALIGNER ARE RESOLVED.
To use the chewie, bite down and hold in the area where the aligner needs to fit better for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat this process for 10 minutes at a time, up to three times per day, until the gap is reduced.
**If you have a history of TMJ, do not use the chewies, but instead use steady finger pressure to push the aligner in place instead, always making sure not to put pressure on you lower jaw if the problem is on the lower teeth.
During treatment, excess enamel may be removed in order to alleviate crowding. This process is either done with a drill or manually with diamond strips flossed between the teeth. This process will not hurt you or your enamel and may be necessary in order to achieve detailed and optimal results.
Caring for your aligners:
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Never eat or drink anything but water with your aligners in place
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Use Prevident toothpaste at night only. Brush for 2 minutes, spit out the excess toothpaste and then put your aligners right in (do not rinse with water)
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When eating or drinking, remove your aligners and place into the case provided for safe keeping. Do not place your aligners in your pocket or napkins as this will lead to accidental damage or discarding of the aligners.
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Brush the inside of the aligners carefully after every meal. Aligners should be “crystal clear” at all times. If aligners are cloudy, this is an indication of plaque accumulation, which can be extremely damaging to the teeth, leading to scarring/decalcification and cavities of your teeth.
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Brush the inside of the aligners with toothpaste and COOL water, or with baking soda and water
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If you do not have a sulfa allergy, denture cleaner may also be used in addition to brushing the aligners to keep them extra clean. Place the aligners in cool water with a denture cleaning tablet to soak for 15 minutes. Remove the aligners when time has passed, brush and rinse out the aligners before placement back into your mouth.
Other tips:
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If you have a rough spot on your aligner, gently use an emery board to smooth out the area
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If your aligner becomes lost, cracks, etc. after one week of wear, it may be OK to move into your next aligner. However, please call our office to confirm if this is OK.
Types of Retainers
Retainers (clear or colored plastic)
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment.
Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. Often, these abnormalities cause difficulty associated with chewing, talking, sleeping and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects these problems and, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, will improve the overall appearance of the facial profile.
Using the latest in digital imaging technology, we will demonstrate the overall functional and aesthetic benefits of orthognathic surgery. Computerized treatment planning minimizes treatment times, recovery periods and the overall efficacy of your surgery. State-of-the-art materials such as titanium plates and miniature screws provide stability, strength and predictability to your treatment. These advances in technology, procedures and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, thus allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after the surgery.
Orthognathic surgery may be unnecessary if orthodontic treatment can correct the problem. With the latest advances in orthodontics, this is sometimes the case. We will determine if orthognathic surgery is the correct treatment option for you.