Gig Harbor Orthodontics proud to offer Invisalign
We are excited to announce that our team at Gig Harbor Orthodontics is now booking appointments for Invisalign consultations and fittings. Invisalign is a groundbreaking product that straightens teeth without traditional wire brackets by using clear aligners.
Many of our adult patients believed that they were too old to get a beautiful, straight smile because they didn’t get braces when they were younger. Likewise, teens sometimes think that they are too young for Invisalign and that braces are their only treatment option. This is not the case. Using Invisalign aligners helps patients get the confident smile they have always wanted without the look and discomfort of metal braces.
Invisalign works by moving a patients’ teeth into place with the use of transparent aligners that are custom-designed to fit snug over the teeth. Patients wear each aligner for 1-2 weeks before using the next aligner. This gradually moves the teeth into place. Our patients report that the Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces.
During the first appointment, our caring office staff and assistants will check the patient in and take a series of x-rays of the patient’s mouth. Dr. Patra Alatsis will then examine the patient to determine if Invisalign is the best treatment option. Patients with overbites, crossbites, underbites, crowded teeth or gaps between their teeth are good candidates for Invisalign. Young children and those with severe orthodontic needs may be better suited for metal braces.
Patients who use Invisalign will have a unique treatment plan made for them using a high-tech computer program that takes the images of the patient’s mouth and divides them into step-by-step aligners. The images will then be sent to an outside lab where the aligners will be custom made. The aligners are made of a thin, medical-grade flexible plastic that is FDA approved and free from BPA and other toxins.
When the aligners are ready, the patient will return to the office. We will make sure that the aligners fit comfortably in the patient’s mouth and will examine the patient to ensure that the aligners continue to fit snugly over the teeth. The aligners must be worn all of the time except when removed for eating and brushing. Concerned parents who worry about their teens wearing their aligners properly can check their progress with the aligner’s innovative compliance indicators. After the treatment plan is complete, retainers should be worn to ensure the teeth remain in their proper place.
Those interested in learning more about Invisalign need to schedule an appointment with our office. Most dental insurance plans cover Invisalign care. We will talk with the insurance company before the first appointment and let the patient know upfront what the estimated portion will be for the new Invisalign treatment. Costs include the consultation, aligner development, and fittings with Dr. Alatsis.
Dr. Patra Alatsis loves seeing her patient’s smile when the orthodontic treatment is complete. The confident look on their faces is why she went into orthodontics and why she works so hard to help her patients have healthy and beautiful-looking teeth. Born and raised in Tacoma, Dr. Alatsis is a proud supporter of education and worked as a substitute teacher before pursuing her true passion in orthodontic care. She prides herself in helping patients of all ages love their smile.
Gig Harbor Orthodontics
5334 Olympic Drive NW, #201
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(256) 240-0312
