Invisalign®

Hey everyone. We’re diving into the new era of orthodontic treatment. Spoiler alert, almost anything that can be done with conventional metal braces can now be done with clear aligners. But here’s the kicker. It’s not just about the tools, it’s about the skillset of the dentist. If you’re new here, make sure you like, subscribe, bells, whistles, all that stuff. Let’s get into it. Before we do, I’m Larry Dougherty. I’ve been a dentist for 16 years, and you can find me here at my practice. Rolling Oaks Dental in Garden Ridge, Texas. I’ve been a dentist for 16 years and I’ve treated over 10,000 patients. I’m a general dentist, but I’m very pro orthodontics. I’ve been involved in hundreds of multidisciplinary cases involving orthodontic treatment. Right now, we’re in the middle of a massive paradigm shift in orthodontics. Let’s simplify things. We have the old school and the new school.

Seasoned orthodontists trained on brackets and wires have a wealth of experience, but the younger orthodontists trained from day one on aligners have a totally different perspective. Of course, we have the rock stars who can treat with equal fluency in both worlds. There’s such a wide variety of philosophies and skill sets out there that it’s hard to pin down a general philosophy, right? There are cases where metal brackets are the best option, and there are cases where clear aligners are the best, but more often than not, it matters very little what method is used and a lot who is doing the treatment. We’re in an era where it’s less about the tooth situation and more about the patient situation. Does this patient have the self-discipline to handle Invisalign? The trays don’t work unless you wear them. Which treatment method is faster? Is time of the essence?

Is surgery necessary? What does the orthodontist feel most comfortable with? Each case is different and deserves individual attention, and each patient deserves a choice. Invisalign is one of the best marketed companies in the world, and they’ve done a fantastic job making consumers think their product is the best, and they’re probably right. Their product is the best, but only in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing. If a dentist treating you with clear aligners doesn’t have a lot of experience with the system, they might never get you to the desired outcome. What about the patient? Maybe you watching this video, how much of a role do you play in the success of a case? I’ll tell you a big role. I’m thinking of one patient who did everything asked of her in her orthodontic treatment, and it took me less than a year. Meanwhile, another patient with a simpler treatment took over three years because he didn’t wear his trays or show up for appointments.

The patient has to be a willing participant. Non-compliance equals no chance for success. I’m not going to lie though. I blame myself a bit for that simple case that took three years. Nowadays, we do things a little differently. Remote monitoring and staying on top of patients to keep them motivated has been a game changer. It’s gotten so much more sophisticated. My team and I use devices that attach to the camera on your phone, text reminders, calls, whatever it takes to keep you encouraged and motivated through your treatment. So if you’re still watching, you probably want to know what’s best for you. You need a consultation with a dentist and an orthodontist team you can trust. Did you notice I said, team, great outcomes are the result of teamwork and collaboration. Be wary of the general dentist or orthodontist. Who does it all? Don’t get me wrong, they’re out there and they’re amazing, but they’re rare. So do your research. Ask to see photos. Remember, everyone doing great work has photos to prove it. When it comes to clear aligners, Invisalign versus conventional brackets and wires, the treatment method isn’t as critical as choosing the right dentist and orthodontist team. Highly skilled teams can typically get you where you want to go. Using either method, do your research, search for a trusting relationship, and invest wisely. Thanks for watching. If you found this helpful, like subscribe, follow me, all that good stuff. Stay healthy, stay happy, keep smiling. I’ll see you later.