Did you know that more than 4 million people in the United States have braces? Almost a quarter of them are adults. In fact, without dental insurance, people pay on average $5,000 for braces alone. 

It is becoming more popular with adults and children to have a form of teeth correction through braces or Invisalign. Often, people are choosing to fix their teeth for cosmetic purposes. With more opportunities to have an orthodontist close by, it is opening the doors for people to choose what to do about their smile. 

How is Invisalign treatment changing the game of orthodontics?

What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a newer treatment than braces to help correct your misaligned bite, gap teeth, and overcrowded teeth. This treatment uses a clear, flexible aligner that is molded to your teeth.

Every one to two weeks you will change the clear aligner for a new one. Additionally, you will be expected to wear your Invisalign retainer for 20-22 hours per day. The only time you will be taking your retainer out is for eating, drinking, brushing, and cleaning the retainer. 

While the thermoplastic used to create Invisalign is not completely invisible, it will be much less visibly obvious than other options.  

Invisalign vs. Braces
Braces have been the go-to option for many years as a form of teeth and bite alignment. Braces are bulky, painful, and downright annoying to deal with. 

But - they have produced great results.

Technology has improved and nowadays, clear aligners are an option instead of braces with Invisalign leading the way.

Some dental practices are reporting shifts in children and adolescents getting Invisalign treatments versus braces. Sometimes, this difference is as much as 80% of patients choosing Invisalign and clear aligners.

The benefit of Invisalign versus braces is that you don't have to deal with more pain from the brackets. You also decrease the risk of emergency visits from broken parts and sores in your mouth.  
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You have the flexibility to clean your teeth easier since the aligner can be removed. 

However, you have to be more compliant with Invisalign treatments. If you are looking to get your child Invisalign, you have to trust that they will not accidentally leave their expensive aligner on a lunch tray. 

For Invisalign to be effective, you need to wear it the majority of the day. Some parents and dentists don't think this is realistic to expect from children. 

Braces are usually effective at adjusting significant teeth and bite misalignments because they don't need the patient to remember to use them. 

Signs You Need Invisalign
Invisalign is available for children, adolescents, and adults. Common signs you need Invisalign include bite misalignments, overcrowded teeth, or want straighter teeth.

It can also be used for children who are still developing and growing. This treatment can help assist in preventing further bite issues, help with oral habits (thumb sucking), and develop their jaw or arch. 

In general, you can see that there are many reasons to get Invisalign and it is widely available for the majority of the population. It can handle tough dental cases as well as minor cosmetic adjustments. 

Many people start seeing positive results in just six months. 

Things To Know
Braces are cumbersome. They take up lots of space, rub against the inside of your cheek, and are painful. 

You should be mindful that the road of Invisalign isn't completely smooth sailing. First, Invisalign isn't just an aligner. Sometimes, your orthodontist will place attachments directly onto your teeth. 

This lets the aligner move your teeth more effectively. You don't have to have attachments on all of your teeth, but your orthodontist will recommend what he or she thinks is appropriate based on your case. 

It is recommended that you brush your teeth after eating with Invisalign and before you put the aligner back into your mouth. Well - if you factor in three meals a day, this can easily ramp up. 

Drinks can also stain your retainer, such as coffee or tea. Water is always a safe option, but be aware of those sugary drinks and their effects on your aligner. Drinking anything other than water and not brushing after can leave acid and sugar on your teeth that can develop into cavities. 

Should You Get Invisalign?
This is up to you. As you have read, Invisalign can be a great treatment alternative for all age groups. It is also generally less painful and causes fewer emergency visits to your orthodontist. 

Luckily, most orthodontic services are starting to incorporate Invisalign treatments as an option for patients. Look for dental offices that are trained in the latest technology to ensure that you are receiving quality care. 

Many offices also have traditional braces, clear braces, and Inbrace lingual braces. Knowing you have options lets your orthodontist talk you through your options. 

Be aware that although technology has improved braces to be less conspicuous and bulky, it is still something that is designed to be left on your teeth on a semi-permanent basis. Most often, you will go in for minor changes and adjustments. 

Aligners give you the freedom for a couple of hours a day to not have anything impeding your mouth. Just don't forget to put it back in when you're done eating, drinking, or brushing.

Next Step
With many options available in the dental field, it can become overwhelming. Invisalign is a newer option that can help both you and your child in achieving that Hollywood smile. 

Make sure you reach out to a trusted dental office where they can help talk you through your candidacy for Invisalign. There are many benefits to Invisalign and you want to be well-informed before taking that next step.
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Check out locations nearest you to find skilled dentists and orthodontists to help you or your child feel confident in their smile. ​If you live near Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino, or Wildomar, CA you can get the finest dental care from the caring and experienced dentists at Upland Dental Implant and Orthodontics.

Only 64.9% of adults and 85.9% of children have visited a dentist in the past year. Meanwhile, about 13.2% of children have untreated dental caries (cavities). Another 25.9% of adults have cavities as well.

Visiting your local family dentistry practice twice a year could benefit your entire family's oral health. 

If you're concerned about your family's dental health, you might start Googling "what is a family dentist?" Look no further for answers. In this guide, we'll review everything you need to know about family dentistry.

Once you understand the services a local dentist can offer, you can start booking appointments for the entire family. Learn more about family dentistry with this comprehensive guide today. 

​If you live near Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino, or Wildomar, CA you can get the finest dental care from the caring and experienced dentists at Upland Dental Implant and Orthodontics.

What is Family Dentistry?
First, let's answer the question that likely brought you here: what is a family dentist?

Family dentists are extensively trained. They earn an undergraduate degree before attending dental school. Only then can they start treating patients.
Family dentists are a little different than general dentists.

It's a general dentist's job to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. These dentists tend to focus on a specific age group, though. For example, a general dentist might not treat patients under the age of 16.

If you have children who are younger, you'll need to find another dentist in town. Unfortunately, visiting more than one dentist can become tedious. You'll have to drive across town to make sure everyone attends their appointments.

General dentists can offer routine cleanings as well as other dentistry services, including:

• Dentures
• Veneers
• Tooth extractions
• Root canals
• Invisalign
• Bonding
• Crowns
• Dental Implants

Family dentists offer many of the same services a general dentist can provide. The key difference, however, lies with their patients. While general dentists focus on a specific age group, family dentists take patients of all ages.

You won't have to drive across town to make sure every family member receives the care they need. Instead, every family member can visit the same dentist in one convenient location. 

What Do Family Dentists Do?
Oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people around the world. Visiting an experienced family dentist can improve your entire family's oral health.
Most dentists focus on both general and preventative dentistry.

First, make sure to schedule a visit to your family dentistry practice every six months. Regular check-ups allow your dentist to check for oral health issues. They can spot signs of decay and disease before the problem becomes more severe.

If you have younger children, talk to your dentist about their development.
Your dentist will make sure their teeth are growing in properly. If you have a history of oral health issues, let your dentist know. They can keep an eye out for potential issues.

During your routine check-ups, ask your dentist about fluoride treatments, too. You might want to ask about dental sealants for your children as well.
These family dentistry services can help prevent tooth decay. 

Since tooth decay is common (especially in children), talk to your dentist about preventative dentistry services. First, your dentist will check for symptoms of cavities. If they identify a cavity, they can fill it.

Googling "best family dentist near me" can help your entire family receive the treatments they need. For example, you might need in-house orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics can ensure your family's teeth grow straight.

Straighter smiles can reduce the risk of future tooth decay.

If you have a family history of periodontal (gum) disease, let your dentist know. They can offer periodontal maintenance services. Otherwise, they might recommend scaling and root planing treatment. 

Benefits of Choosing a Family Dentist
On the fence about looking for "a family dentist near me"? Here are a few benefits of finding a family dentistry practice to keep in mind. 

1. Ease and Convenience
Imagine having a different dentist for yourself and your kids. Scheduling multiple appointments throughout the year isn't efficient. You could waste valuable time and experience unnecessary stress.

Instead, you can enjoy the ease and convenience of visiting a single dentist for the entire household.

You can simplify your schedule by scheduling one appointment for the whole family. Choosing a reliable, experienced dentist can make life easier in the long run. 

2. Family History
Your dentist will have a comprehensive understanding of your entire family's dental history. They'll know if you struggled with dental diseases in the past. They can also consider your past surgeries or allergies.

You'll find peace of mind knowing they'll have all this information on record. Your dentist will know which treatments and procedures your family will need. 

3. Regular Services
It's important to schedule regular appointments with your family dentist. Scheduling routine cleanings can help your family avoid oral diseases. You'll have peace of mind with consistent treatments and services.

Your dentist can help you focus more on preventative care, too.

For example, they can teach your children how to brush and floss properly. Your children will start following your example, too. They'll recognize the importance of prioritizing their oral health because you do.

You can visit the dentist as a family feeling confident you'll receive the best possible services. 

4. Ease Dental Anxiety
Many children develop dental anxiety. While it's normal, it could cause them to avoid the dentist in the future. Remember, routine check-ups are essential for their oral health.

Taking them to the dentist while they're young can help ease their dental anxiety. They might feel more comfortable visiting the dentist when their siblings do, too. 

5. Lasting Relationships
Finding a reliable, experienced dentist you can trust can feel like an exhausting endeavor. You shouldn't have to look for a different dentist for each family member. Instead, you can develop a lasting relationship with a single dentist.

Meanwhile, your children can continue receiving treatment from the same dentist, even as they grow older. 

What is a Family Dentist? Your Guide to Stunning Smiles
To recap, what is a family dentist?
It's a single dentist your entire family can visit for treatment! Consider looking for a family dentistry practice nearby for your entire family.
 
Want to schedule an appointment for your entire family? We can't wait to see you all!

Contact us today to get started.