Instead of taking physical impressions of our patients’ teeth, we use a state-of-the-art digital orthodontic scanning tool called iTero.

Enhanced Comfort for Our Patients

Conventional dental impressions use bulky trays that are filled to the brim with a gooey-textured putty material. Even if the texture itself doesn’t bother you, the tickling sensation at the back of your throat may set off your gag reflex.

But with a digital impression scanner, we can capture all of the same information with a small imaging wand. No putty or trays are required!

Impeccable Accuracy for Treatment Planning

Thanks to today’s 3D CAD/CAM imaging technology, we can use digital dental impressions to virtually “move” your teeth inside of a computer program.  That’s not possible with traditional dental impressions. More often than not, our Invisalign candidates prefer to preview their projected treatment outcome before we ever fit them with their first set of aligners. You can have a good idea of what to expect even if you’re not ready to jump headfirst into orthodontic treatment.

Efficient Care

Traditional stone models of teeth are easily broken or chipped. They’re also bulky, making them difficult to store for an extended period of time. If you lose or misplace an orthodontic retainer or another device, we can use your digital scan to recreate a new one without you even having to step foot in the office!

The scan requires no extra planning or cleanup. We can take your digital impression while you simply sit back, relax, and open your mouth.

The iTero Difference

iTero digital orthodontic scanning shortens the amount of time you spend in our Granite Bay orthodontic office, makes your visit more comfortable, and improves the level of care we can provide. If you’re putting your orthodontic consultation off because of time commitments or the thought of an uncomfortable tickle in your throat, come experience the iTero difference for yourself!

Orthodontic retainers are devices that are used to prevent relapse in your smile’s alignment. Since your teeth are surrounded by thousands of tiny ligaments, they tend to want to reset or “bounce back” to where your tooth was positioned before orthodontic treatment. Wearing a retainer keeps your teeth in their new position, protecting the monetary and time investment you’ve put into your smile.

Traditional braces patients tend to have a removable and/or permanent retainer fitted to their upper and lower teeth.

Invisalign patients also require retention appliances. Since the soft tissue “memory” around your teeth could lead to relapse, it’s important to wear a retainer after completing your Invisalign therapy. But in this case, you’ll want something more discreet.

What do Invisalign Retainers Look Like?

Dr. Milstein uses Vivera® retainers. The Vivera® design reflects the same state-of-the-art technology and fit as your former Invisalign trays. The two are almost identical, save for a slight difference in the rigidity of the material.

Your Vivera® retainers are just as easy to clean and care for as your Invisalign trays were. In the beginning, you’ll probably need to wear your clear retainers several hours around the clock. Over time, you can transition into wearing them at night while you’re sleeping but removing them in the daytime.

If for any reason you lose or misplace your retainer, let us know. We can use your 3D digital records in lieu of taking a new impression to have a new retainer manufactured.

Vivera® retainers are made so that they help prevent relapse and minimize natural shifting patterns.

Benefits of Vivera® Retainers

A clear, removable retainer is practically invisible and custom fit to your teeth, just like Invisalign! That way you can continue with convenient, discreet results after your Invisalign process is complete.

Keep your smile straighter, longer. Call Marina Milstein Orthodontics in Granite Bay today to reserve an Invisalign consultation.

When teeth are crowded, rotated, or crooked, they tend to collect more plaque biofilm than the other teeth in your mouth. Even if you’re great about your oral hygiene, there may be a few areas where your gum tissues are consistently inflamed or bleed.

If you’ve struggled with gum health problems in the past — whether it’s gingivitis or early periodontal disease — correcting your tooth alignment could help. Bringing your teeth into a proper biting relationship makes it easier to brush and floss thoroughly. As a result, you lower the number of bacteria collecting in those parts of your mouth.

The best part is that with Invisalign, you can brush and floss normally. Simply remove your aligners and clean your teeth as usual. You won’t need any extra hygiene aids to clean under wires or between brackets. Plus, the aligners can easily be brushed clean with tap water and antibacterial soap.

Although Invisalign itself doesn’t “treat” gum disease, it can guide your teeth into a healthy alignment that’s less prone to periodontal infections. It’s part of a comprehensive care plan for your smile. Orthodontic therapy, when combined with other types of ongoing periodontal treatment, can play a role in lowering your risk of future gum disease and tooth loss.

Do you have “problem areas” that tend to always get tartar buildup, or bleed when you’re brushing? Consider getting an orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Milstein to determine if the tooth rotation and position may be playing a role. If they are, adjusting your bite with removable Invisalign trays can help you get your oral health back on track.

To learn more about what Invisalign can do to enhance your overall oral health, schedule a consultation at Marina Milstein Orthodontics in Granite Bay. We also offer free virtual consultations via our secure mobile app. Contact us today to get started!

Invisalign is the leader in the clear braces industry. The removable, translucent orthodontic aligners offer great benefits, like:

1. No Dietary Restrictions

Since there are no brackets or wires, Invisalign wearers won’t have to change their normal diet. Simply take your aligners out then eat or drink whatever you want! Just be sure to store them in a safe place, so that you don’t accidentally lose them if you’re at a restaurant or friend’s house.

2. Easy Home Care

Brushing and flossing is a breeze since there are no fixed appliances to work around. Remove your trays to brush and floss as normal. No extra hygiene supplies are required. It couldn’t get any easier. Even your aligners can be cleaned with antimicrobial hand soap and tap water.

3. An “Invisible” Orthodontic System

Don’t want other people to see your braces? Invisalign’s design makes the clear trays practically invisible against your teeth. You can really only see them if you’re looking at them from a few inches away. The cleaner you keep your aligners, the clearer they will look.

4. Fewer and Shorter Appointments

Invisalign trays aren’t “adjusted” the same way a conventional orthodontic system is. There are no wires or colorful bands to change out. You take your trays with you, so the adjustments are actually taking place at home. As such, our Granite Bay Invisalign patients tend to enjoy brief visits scheduled on a less frequent basis.

5. Great for Adults

You’re never too old to enjoy straighter, healthier teeth. Invisalign was designed with adult orthodontic patients in mind. So, whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, these clear aligners can be a reality!

Do You Qualify?

Request an in-person or digital orthodontic consultation with our Granite Bay orthodontist today! Dr. Marina Milstein has the expertise you’re looking for to make your Invisalign experience a success.