Q & A
on Orthodontic Solutions for Smiles of All Ages
Picture-perfect teeth are highly desired by adults and children alike, so we sat down with leading local orthodontist Tara Emerick of Emerick Orthodontics to learn about the latest treatments, technology and fast-acting techniques.
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Q: What are some signs that I might need orthodontic treatment?
A: Some of the more obvious indications for orthodontic treatment are crooked or crowded teeth, spacing and difficulty biting or chewing. Orthodontic treatment may also be necessary to prepare for restorative dental work (such as making space for a dental implant), cosmetic dental work (such as veneers), to relieve TMJ symptoms, or to correct a functional issue that is causing damage to the teeth or periodontal tissues. Q: Is it too late for adults to consider orthodontic treatment? A: It’s never too late to make your smile beautiful! Advancements in orthodontic techniques and discreet options like clear aligners or lingual braces (braces on the inside of your teeth) have made it easier than ever for adults to achieve a straighter smile. At Emerick Orthodontics, we see patients of all ages and love being able to give our adult patients the smile they always wished they had! Q: What orthodontic treatments do you specialize in? A: We specialize in digital orthodontic treatment! Our Phase 1 treatment for younger children typically involves a 3D scan and fabrication of a 3D-printed expander. Once expansion is complete, we bond metal brackets to the front teeth. For adolescents and adults, we offer completely digital treatment options: clear aligners, InBrace, or LightForce braces. Q: What is InBrace and who is it best for? A: InBrace is a revolutionary lingual braces system with custom SmartwireTM technology. Digitally positioned brackets are bonded on the inside of the teeth. I design a prescription—specific to each patient—that is programmed into the Smartwire, which is then inserted into the brackets and clicked into place. From there, it immediately begins expressing the prescription and correcting the patient’s bite and alignment. Straightening is put on auto-pilot so the patient can continue to enjoy their lifestyle without interruptions. InBrace is a great option for patients who like to enjoy snacking, drinking coffee and wine, or want their treatment to be completely invisible. I am an experienced InBrace provider and have spoken for the company to other orthodontists at a national orthodontic meeting. |
Q: What is LightForce?
A: LightForce is our fastest treatment option, with recent studies showing its potential to treat patients up to 40% faster than traditional metal braces. LightForce braces are 3D-printed clear braces with a completely customized prescription built into each bracket. The brackets are placed in the ideal location due to digitally planned indirect bonding, and each bracket has the ideal prescription incorporated into its slot—different from traditional metal braces, which are built with a standard prescription that is the average of all teeth. As we all know, everyone is different and customizations are necessary to achieve our most ideal result. I love how precise, comfortable and efficient LightForce is for my patients! Q: What are some of your favorite new high-tech offerings in orthodontics? A: Besides a 3D scanner, 3D printed appliances, clear aligners, InBrace and LightForce, we also have a 3D printer in our office to make retainers. This saves us valuable time—with no need to ship anything out to a lab, we can have retainers ready the same day. DentalMonitoring is a remote monitoring system that allows us to check in on a patient’s treatment progress from anywhere using their smartphone, which is perfect for our patients who are always on the go, traveling or away at college. One of the coolest technologies that we’ve added to our office this year is the Synapse Dental Pain Eraser. It applies gentle electrical impulses to a patient’s tooth or soft tissue that block the pain receptors for up to 48 hours without any shots or numbing. Patients do not feel a thing and often ask if it’s even on. I love being able to make sure my patient is completely comfortable and pain-free—it makes my job even more enjoyable! Emerick Orthodontics is at 12863 Broad Street in the Village of West Clay, in Carmel, Indiana. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, visit emerickortho.com and follow @emerickortho on Instagram. |