Quick Questions You’d Like To Ask About Invisalign

Straight Forward Invisalign Q&A

Let’s say you know a few things about Invisalign but you want ready answers at your fingertips when an Invisalign question pops up in your head. Keep this list handy to help you decide if Invisalign is for you.

How safe is Invisalign?

It is a very safe treatment option for aligning crooked teeth. Your treatment plan is personally and regularly supervised by your dentist-orthodontist. If you adhere to your care team’s advice and instructions, you should be able to reach treatment goals as per plan, safely and successfully.

How long does treatment take?

Most treatment plans last between six and twelve months. That depends on how complex is your state of initial teeth alignment. It can last longer if your situation is more extensive.

How long should Invisalign be worn daily?

Ideally, the wear time is 24/7 because consistent pressure is highly desirable. However, 20 to 22 hours will do as well and the only times they should be off are: when you eat, brush and floss, and when you clean your trays. The longer it is off, the more prolonged the treatment will be.

What alignment issues can Invisalign correct?

Depending on your choice of specialist, Invisalign can correct crooked teeth, overlapping teeth, crowding, gaps between teeth, and misaligned and malpositioned jaws.

How much does it cost?

The average national cost of Invisalign ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, according to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry. That depends on how minimal or aggressive the suggested treatment plan needs to be.

Is Invisalign covered by insurance?

Yes, if your dental insurance plan includes orthodontic coverage. If it doesn’t it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to cover some of the costs of Invisalign with insurance.

How often are dental visits during treatment?

After you get your first set of Invisalign trays, you should visit every one or two weeks (or when your dentist-orthodontist tells you) for check-up of progress, for degrees of movement, and when you can move on to the next set of trays.

How soon can positive results be noticed?

Most patients start noticing results within a matter of weeks.

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Answering More of Your Questions on Invisalign

If you have more questions than these, come see your Invisalign dentist in Issaquah today.

The Condition called ‘Halitosis’

Causes of Bad Breath

The causes may be any or a combination of these factors:

Poor dental hygiene
Decaying cavities, infected gums, food debris stuck between teeth or under the gums.
Tobacco products
Dry mouth, producing less saliva flow
Mouth infections as gingivitis, periodontitis, impaction, tooth abscess
Disease conditions, like diabetes, sore throat, bronchitis, liver failure
Certain foods like garlic, onions and spices
Certain medications can cause bad breath (ex. insulin)
Ill-fitting and unclean dentures and braces
Large doses of vitamins, like the Vitamin B group
Chronic alcoholism

What to do to help Bad Breath?

Visit Meadow Creek Dental in Issaquah

Firstly, a visit to Meadow Creek Dental, the Issaquah dental clinic, could do you a lot of good. This state of affairs can be cured with proper oral hygiene. Simple, everyday hygienic practices like brushing, flossing and mouth gargles are teeth and gum-saving. Here at the Meadow Creek Dental, corrective and restorative measures will be employed on presenting oral situations like cavities, infected gums, and other mouth infections.

This bad breath is not life-threatening and you will be on your way to renewed oral health with some life-style adjustments. Your good Issaquah dentist should see to that. However, if your halitosis is a symptom of a medical condition, your dentist will certainly encourage a medical consultation.

Dental Care for the Pregnant Patient

Modifying Dental Treatment for the Mom-to-be

During a patient’s first trimester, the dentist resorts to a preventive care program. This means plaque control and oral hygiene instruction. Only cleaning can be done at this time, elective procedures are better postponed, though emergency needs can be considered. If it is absolutely necessary to have radiographs, the lowest dose possible exposure is allowed with no harm to the developing fetus. At this time its organs are forming and are most sensitive to radiation and chemicals.

From the second trimester through the first half of the third is the safest time for dental treatment. If the patient is under periodontal maintenance and preventive care, those can be continued. Simple restorative procedures may be done. No complex or elective dental care at this time.

To minimize hormonal gingival changes, scaling and prophylaxis may be repeated in the third trimester. Caution must be taken when seating the patient in the dental chair. Supine position can lead to loss of consciousness, not elevating the right hip will cause blood pooling in the legs. She must position herself on her side if feeling faint. Emergency dental treatment should be provided.

As far as medications go, lidocaine with epinephrine is safe, penicillin, clindamycin, and cephalosporins are safe antibiotics, acetaminophen is alright for most patients for pain, oxycodone is considered safe for severe pain. For analgesia, nitrous oxide is controversial but probably safe as long as there is oxygen administered as well.

Expectant Mom and Baby in Issaquah

Over at Meadow Creek Dental, we show concern for our pregnant patient’s well-being as well as her baby’s. It matters that the mother feels relaxed and have confidence in the treatment. It is best to avoid any dental emergency, but efficient, compassionate care reduces stress, says our Issaquah dentist.

Regular Maintenance at Issaquah Dental Clinic

Why Go for Regular Maintenance?

Most people’s first dental visit may have been prodded by an emergency or perhaps a long-standing dental issue that has been put-off for some time. Where medical doctor check-ups are viewed with more seriousness, regular dental maintenance is treated with some laxity.

Let’s look at a few reasons why people should come for those regular visits.

One is for cosmetic reasons and not for vanity alone. Discolorations, tooth breakages, tooth spaces, gingivitis, even bad breath from dental caries affect your self-esteem. Putting them aside is detrimental to normal function and aesthetics in the long run. Optimal oral health doesn’t just happen and needs professional care.

Also, with regular maintenance, one receives education. Regular cleaning is part of proper care and your dentist educates you on the pros and cons of your dental habits. Young children started off on early dental visits receive training about oral hygiene and which also eases their anxieties about dentists.

Another reason is for general health. A regularly visited dentist is usually the first to spot a medical situation inside the mouth. Health hazards such as diabetes, cancer, or HIV are seen early on and can hence be immediately and medically addressed.

Regular is Healthy

Even those in the pink of dental health require regular maintenance. With age, your eating habits, hygiene practices, lifestyle, and medical status do change and require some professional looking-in. Our dentist in Issaquah, Dr. Dipti, reminds that keeping up with your regular oral maintenance is a beneficial and healthy practice.

Dental Emergency? We’re here for You

To many of us regular people, our little to no understanding of dental emergencies can cause us to panic and for a while be disoriented. Sometimes a little show of blood, a sharp pain in the mouth, or a beloved tooth about to fall off , will do just that.

Actually, if you’re a regular at this Issaquah dental clinic, the Meadow Creek Dental, you’ll have none of the panic. Dr. Dipti Srivastava, the Emergency Dentist in Issaquah, stresses more on prevention. She would have given you pointers to handle unexpected situations without fear. But when emergencies do arise, Dr. Dipti, is an expert, someone to rely on.

Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dr. Srivastava has seen them all. She advises calls to the clinic to let her know , or you can drop by in any of the 23 to 24 days she is open for same day treatments. Otherwise, a call even after clinic hours would assuage your situation.

Severe toothaches that won’t go away are most common. This may be due to pulp involvement, presence of abscess in or around the tooth, or swollen gums. Pericoronitis is a painful gum swelling that needs immediate attention. Other emergencies are tooth fracture and tooth luxation, a condition of loosening tooth that has to be addressed right away.

What you Eat Affects Your Teeth

Are there good foods and bad foods for teeth?

It will be beneficial for us to mind certain foods that are helpful to our dentition. Foods rich in calcium and phosphorus supply the mineral content of teeth that are lost over time to acid.

Calcium sources as dairy products – low-fat milk, hard cheese and yogurt – are good for teeth and bones. Leafy green vegetables, fruits and seafood also supply the lost calcium in teeth. A calcium-poor diet has been associated with risk of developing periodontal disease.

On the other hand, calcium needs phosphorus to potentiate its bone-strengthening capabilities. Cereals, sardines, salmon, and skim yogurt are phosphorus-rich. Also, get those foods with high water content like fruits and vegetables that keep the mouth hydrated and counteract the effects of sugar and acid, and increase saliva flow.

On the bad side, foods and drinks with high sugar content are poor choices for dentition. They attach to tooth surfaces and get into crevices which later attract bacteria. Acidic foods and fruits, and carbonated drinks, including diet sodas, are harmful to tooth enamel, causing a slow erosion of its protective layer.

Advice from Dentist

Dr. Dipti Srivastava is not saying not to enjoy your favorite food and drink, but if you must, then be mindful to keep your mouth cleaned up and washed off of those potential dangers.

Keep your basic oral hygiene practices – brushing, flossing, mouth washes – every time you have to indulge. Our Issaquah dentist says that eating healthy affects oral health and general well-being. Stay with mouth-healthy foods instead and keep the smile.

Going for Tooth-Colored Fillings in Issaquah

Natural-looking and Other Benefits

Composite resins are those fillings that are identical to the natural color of teeth. The tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture is used to restore decayed teeth, change the color of the teeth or reshape disfigured teeth. Composites are incredibly strong and durable and are able to withstand daily stresses. Dentists using them find that they are easy to manipulate. Best of all, they mimic the color of your teeth and no one will guess that you’ve had a restoration.

These tooth-colored fillings have been compared to silver-mercury amalgam, still being used though sparingly, but whose strength and durability are well-established. As far as aesthetics go, the stark contrast between the silver coloring and the rest of the teeth are often noticed. Composites are far superior to amalgam, coming in various shade models to match existing teeth color.

Dental preparation on composites, unlike amalgam, spares the tooth from further drilling and removal of normal tooth structure. Composites bond excellently with tooth material, helping to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes. On top of all these, composites do not contain mercury at all, an added safety value.

How durable are tooth-colored fillings? Do they last as long as amalgam fillings? Composite restoration’s longevity is comparable to amalgam’s depending on dentist’s skills and techniques, type and location of tooth concerned and certain patient characteristics. Composites may be costlier than silver fillings, though, because of the time requirement and technique in preparation and application.

Improving Smiles Naturally in Issaquah

Issaquah dentistry goes for natural, same-colored tooth fillings, as more and more patients opt for that natural look. While we offer a range of options for restoring damaged teeth, If you prefer that seamless look in your front or back teeth, composites are the way to go.

Protecting your Child with Sealants in Issaquah

Benefits of Sealants

Are your kids fond of snacks, juices and shakes? Did you know that frequent exposure to starchy and sugary foods make kids prone to early cavity formations and tooth decay? Sealants applied to their teeth give needed protection. School-age children who do not have sealants applied to their teeth have three times more cavities than children with sealants? That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which said in 2016 that only 43% of children 6 to 11 years of age have sealants.

Brushing and flossing are still the best ways to prevent cavities, but often their benefits do not reach the back teeth as often and as properly as they should. Your child’s molars and premolars are not always easy to clean. These teeth’s uneven top surfaces provide attractive places for food debris to lodge and get colonized by bacteria. You might even be applying fluoridated toothpaste and have your child drink fluoridated water; both ways give added protection. But are they accomplished regularly and faithfully?

A convenient and consistent safety net can be provided by sealants. They are painted as liquid on the surfaces of molars. the thin and translucent coating made from plastic sticks to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and then quickly hardens via light curing. In effect, you have provided a physical barrier against food debris and bacterial attack.

Sealants are long-lasting and save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth. Children from ages 6 to 12 and adults can benefit from sealants. Both primary and permanent molars benefit. Adult teeth can have sealants too, provided their back teeth are still carries-free and without fillings
Are sealants safe for children? Yes, of course. Unless your child has an allergic reaction to it, sealants have no known other ill-effects.

Starting Early with Sealants in Issaquah

Where dental health is concerned, it is better to start early. Have your child’s teeth protected from tooth decay by way of sealants. It’s safe, painless and affordable, a preventive measure in oral care by your Issaquah dentist.

You Can Tell if Your Child is at Risk for Caries

Tell-Tale Signs Your Kid is High-Risk

Most 2 year olds have never been to a dental clinic and, in fact, 25% of kids in kindergarten have not seen a dentist face-to-face. If parents know what to watch out in their toddlers, including what they feed them, they’d be aware that bad or good habits are forming contributory to their oral health. As parents, you have to ask yourself.

Does your child have special health care needs including physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive or emotional impairment?

A child with such a special need have difficulties learning proper oral care; parents themselves will have to perform brushing and flossing on the children. In some cases, the child will have to be reminded all the time. And then, does he or she snack several times a day? Constant exposure to sweet or starchy foods enables the buildup of tartar on tooth surfaces and crevices, including under the gums and hard-to-reach areas. Same thing happens if your child frequently takes sodas, juices, shakes, or sports drinks in lieu of water.

And is your child currently on the bottle or nursing?

Know that it can lead to baby bottle syndrome, a condition of tooth decay that develops on the infant or a nursing child’s dentition due to long- staying bottle feeding. This can happen if the child sleeps with his bottle or if it is used as a pacifier. The liquids rich in sugar tend to stick around, especially on the upper front teeth, and are a magnet for bacterial attack.

Have you brought your child to the dentist already?

It is advisable that at the appearance of his first baby teeth, parents should already have dental consultations. The dentist will advise you properly. He will tell you to brush baby’s teeth before bedtime with a soft cloth or wet soft toothbrush, to lessen snacking and intake of sugary drinks, to drink fluoridated water, and to wean your toddler off the bottle by one year of age, at least. He will certainly also ask you to bring the patient to him regularly.

Meeting Your Toddler’s Issaquah Dentist

Know more about keeping your child away from tooth decay. Without knowing it you might be starting your toddler on certain habits affecting his oral health. We are just as concerned. Come visit us at Meadow Creek Dental for your baby’s first exam.

Issaquah Dentist says: Dental Implants for All

What Makes and Doesn’t Make You an Ideal Candidate for Implants?

While fixed bridges and removable dentures used to be the norm for missing teeth, these days, many dentists and patients are going for dental implants. And why not? This mode of treatment gives a natural look and feel in the mouth, protects healthy bone and keeps your natural teeth in place. They are built to last a lifetime with their predictable outcomes.

Most people are good candidates for dental implants. As long as you have healthy gums, sufficient bone in your jaw and of good quality, and a commitment to proper oral hygiene, you are a fine candidate for implants. Some may not be ideal candidates, but that depends on your dentist’s judgment and the severity of the patient’s condition. They have to do with the health of your gums and jaw bone.

There are young people whose bones are still growing, hence, the jaw bone lacks maturity. Heavy smoking, excessive alcohol use, high-dose radiation to the head and neck, and severely depressed immune system all slow down healing significantly after implant surgery and can contribute to dental implant failure. Pregnancy also alters the state of the gums and consistency of bone. Those who grind their teeth are another less-than-ideal candidates. Then, persons with chronic diseases or systemic problems like uncontrolled diabetes, connective-tissue disease, and hemophilia have issues with bleeding gums, brittleness of bone, and frequent infections.

However, these patients may still be candidates for dental implants, depending on the dentist’s discretion and after proper evaluation. If the situation is not too far gone, meaning there is still sufficient quantity and quality of jaw bone, and the dentist finds adequately healthy gum tissue to work on, implants can still be an option. You, as the patient, should also commit to proper oral hygiene and regular follow-ups to ensure implant success.

Ensuring Dental Implant Success in Issaquah

Are you ready for implants? Know from your Issaquah dentist if you are a candidate for this popular and reliable restoration procedure everyone is talking about.