Orthodontics use clear aligner systems like Invisalign to straighten teeth. The digital set up often involves "attachments" placed on the teeth surfaces. These "bumps" act like clips and provide pressure surfaces for the aligners to be effective. They are quite small in most cases and require minimal maintenance. There is a library of different attachments with 3D controls that allows your orthodontist to design an orthodontic plan for your teeth and smile.
Crowding can present generalized throughout the arch, localized to a particular region in the arch form, and also vary from upper to lower arch. Some factors to consider in crowding evaluation of the developing dentition are size of teeth, arch shape, supporting bone and tissues, arch symmetry, order of eruption, direction of erupting teeth, and rotational position of teeth. Once the crowding assessment is determined, then this information is applied to other factors to best manage the crowding for each patient. These additional factors include: chronological age, dental eruption schedule, jaw growth pattern, family history, impaction risk, and anterior functional arrangement (overjet, overbite, coordination). With this assessment, orthodontic treatment options, timing recommendations, and risks/benefits of a phase I treatment or waiting for more growth and eruption of teeth can be advised.
Wax diagnostic set ups in orthodontics are now replaced with scans, 3D printing and digital orthodontic software. Dr. Ekim prefers the itero and aligntech software to manage orthodontic prediction, planning and communication with colleagues and patients. An easy 3-5 minute scan has now replaced the impression tray of alginate, plaster pouring, model trimming and sectioning teeth for a wax set up. Instead, Dr. Ekim can digitally plan orthodontic treatment options and demonstrate them to patients, their dental providers at in-person consults or live virtual meetings with shared screens!
A new and useful addition to our appointment menu is our virtual visit! Now new patients seeking out answers to their questions on getting started can benefit from visiting with a clinical expert prior to physically coming in! We have found it also useful for our Invisalign patients, progress consults, and appliance checks. We can even be between locations and with multiple people coming in from work, school or their cars. Our families and colleagues have many options for communication at Ekim Orthodontics.
Ekim Orthodontics is a skilled Invisalign Provider recognized by Invisalign as a Diamond Provider! This means Dr. Ekim has repeatedly used the Invisalign system to create beautiful functional smile results and has shown expertise in delivering treatment with aligners. With advanced training and this level of experience, Dr. Ekim and her team are able to customize treatment and provide orthodontic options. Aligner treatment is a great way to correct orthodontic problems, create a new smile or even refresh a smile!
A beautiful smile is also a healthy smile! The first orthodontic visit is recommended between 7 and 9 years old. This initial assessment of crowding, symmetry and arch form is very valuable in planning ahead for better results and likely easier treatment. Although not everyone benefits from a phase I orthodontics treatment plan, an initial baseline can be very valuable to the overall orthodontic plan. And with methods, procedures with braces and clear aligners like Invisalign, there are many options to learn about.
Navigating through the COVID19 pandemic has challenged our practice and families into learning, rising up and innovating to enhance areas to promote health and wellness in our orthodontic office. Our office is equipped with HEPA air filtration, shields, personal protective equipment, sanitizer, hand washing station, and patient protocols to help manage through this situation. Behind the mask and shield we are the same smiling and joyous team that is excited to see you! We are grateful to laugh together each day. We hope this pandemic will end soon.
NEW and AWESOME! Virtual orthodontic appointment options for our patients. Our options include email assessment or live assessments through our secure online platforms. It has been an excellent way to keep in touch with our patients and plan ahead. And now that we are open, we continue to provide virtual visits for certain appointments and even as an option for new patients. It has been a great addition that allows us to communicate orthodontic treatment options, social distance as needed, provide information to working parents, help with financial planning etc. Patients simply click the emailed link from anywhere and we are there to greet them! You can also refer a friend or have professional referrals made through our website. We are looking forward to continuing our virtual orthodontic services. In office or virtual, we are here for you!
I hope this update finds you all safe, healthy and back to work and life. The last several weeks have challenged us all in ways like never before. Armed with additional personal protective equipment, air filtration systems, barriers, a COVID19 preparedness plan, careful scheduling, additional disinfection protocols, wellness screening protocols and a trained healthy team, Ekim Orthodontics was able to safely reopen on May 14th, 2020. I am so happy to return to my patients, my team and to what I love to do. In addition to COVID19, we also find ourselves in grief and turmoil as we tackle deep issues of equality and a senseless loss of life. As we fight against COVID19 and continue the quest for social justice, we also see our kids graduate another school year. This reminds us that teaching our youth and modeling daily kindness and respect for all people is of the utmost importance for the brighter future of humanity. From my heart to yours, great job returning to work, homeschooling and navigating such uncertain difficult times. Please let me know if we can help. I look forward to seeing you all in person again (with a mask and hopefully soon without a mask).
