Adults are one of the fastest growing groups of people straightening their teeth. Invisalign orthodontics are clear braces that straighten teeth like traditional metal braces, but clear Invisalign trays are practically invisible.

Nancy had healthy, attractive teeth but noticed, like many adults, that her teeth had shifted over the years. Invisalign orthodontics are not just for straightening extremely crooked teeth – it is an ideal solution for a minor correction too. Now, after Invisalign treatment, Nancy has a beautiful straight smile again.  When discussing her orthodontic treatment, Nancy said, “I have been happy with the results of my straightened smile. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are considerate, competent professionals devoted to their patient’s well being, creating bright and beautiful smiles, one dental patient at a time.”

Many adults would like to correct some aspect of their teeth to have a straighter, more appealing smile – but few want to experience the hassle, awkwardness and discomfort of traditional braces. Invisalign is an excellent solution for a straighter beautiful smile, without the drawbacks of traditional metal braces. Many of our patients achieve their desired results in just 4-6 months. The average Invisalign treatment takes 12 months.

Benefits of Invisalign Orthodontics:

• Aligners (Clear Trays) are Removable – Traditional metal braces are fastened to the teeth for years at a time, whereas Invisalign aligners are clear, removable trays that are shaped like a mouth guard fitting snugly over the teeth.
• Straight Teeth are Healthier – Straight teeth are easier to clean and contribute to overall oral health. Crowded or crooked teeth are more difficult to brush and floss effectively, increasing the likelihood plaque build-up, tooth decay and gum disease or even periodontal disease. Crowded, widely-spaced and missing teeth can inhibit normal chewing, cause abnormal wear and contribute to painful jaw problems, including TMJ disorders.
• Flexible –Fits your Lifestyle – Invisalign offers the flexibility to remove the aligners when needed. Most patients discover that people do not even notice they are wearing clear Invisalign aligners.
• Cleaner Teeth and Improved Oral Hygiene Food tends to get trapped in metal braces but not in your Invisalign trays! Dental patients remove Invisalign aligners before they eat – food does not get stuck in this type of braces. Oral hygiene is much easier for the Invisalign patient. There is no obstruction from metal brackets and wires when brushing and flossing teeth improving oral health and hygiene throughout the orthodontic treatment.
• Comfortable – Invisalign dental treatment is more comfortable than traditional braces. The Invisalign process is easier on your gums and jaws as your teeth move into place. Also, since Invisalign aligners do not involve metal brackets or wires, they are more comfortable than braces. No more getting stabbed in the mouth with metal wires!

Can all Dentists Prescribe Invisalign?
No – Invisalign has rigorous requirements for certification dentists and orthodontists. They must take approved courses and pass tests to become Preferred Providers of Invisalign Orthodontics. Invisalign recently upgraded to Invisalign G3. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group were among the first to take this course and meet and exceed qualifications to prescribe the newest Invisalign program.

Is Invisalign for Adults Only?
No –teenagers are also able to use Invisalign for straightening teeth. The parents, teenager and dentist determine if the teenager will be accountable for complying with the Invisalign regime. Teenagers need to have lost all of their baby teeth and with second molars at least partially erupted to be candidates for Invisalign orthodontics.

Invisalign may not be right for every dental patient – some people need a level of orthodontic work that can only be achieved with traditional metal braces. Please schedule a free consultation in our Millersville or Greenbelt Maryland dental office if you are interested in learning more about Invisalign and whether it would be a good choice for you. Invisalign is often an effective, convenient, and nearly invisible solution for your teeth-straightening needs.

McCarl Dentists are certified Invisalign Preferred Providers  based on their high level of clinical training and experience straightening teeth with the Invisalign system.  Correction of orthodontic problems is often covered by dental insurance.

If you’ve thought about improving your smile, this guide can help you learn about the latest techniques in dentistry and cosmetic dental procedures.

Composite White Fillings
A dental filling repairs a hole or cavity in a tooth caused by tooth decay. Dental fillings are still the most common dental procedure performed in dentistry today. Composite resin fillings are tooth colored and are adhesively bonded to the walls of the teeth. This allows the dentist to remove less tooth structure than metal fillings that do not adhere to the teeth. Metal fillings made of metallic amalgam are anchored in a tooth by drilling an undercut beneath the surface of the cavity for retention of the filling. Metal fillings darken teeth and are very noticeable when you smile. Most people consider metal fillings unattractive. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group have not used amalgam fillings for more than 15 years. Today’s composite fillings come in natural white shades that blend with the color of your teeth and are not noticeable when you talk, smile or laugh.

Teeth Whitening or Bleaching
Professional whitening gel often reduces or eliminates tooth stains and discoloration that occurs over time. Our McCarl Dental patients have great success with the Zoom custom take home whitening tray system. The results can be achieved quickly and you can enjoy whiter teeth for a long time.

Porcelain Veneers
A dental veneer is a thin layer of porcelain applied to the face of a tooth. Veneers allow dentists to change the color size and shape of teeth for a more aesthetic smile. Porcelain veneers are an excellent option for people with tooth discoloration or heavy stains that do not lighten with professional tooth whitening. Dental veneers are custom made; the thickness of the veneer and the amount of tooth reduction necessary varies with each patient’s specific needs.

Crowns
A crown is used to cover or “cap” a damaged tooth starting at the gum line. In addition to strengthening the damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve the tooth’s appearance, shape or alignment. In the past, porcelain crowns were fused to metal and were less natural looking. Today, all-porcelain crowns are more durable, comfortable and much more attractive.

Dental Bonding
Dental Bonding is the application of white tooth colored filling material to the surface of a tooth. Bonding is similar to veneers in that it allows the dentist to change the shape size and color of a tooth. Bonding is typically less expensive than porcelain veneers but does not last as long and has aesthetic limitations.

Invisalign Orthodontics
Invisalign orthodontics is a simple and convenient way to straighten your teeth. Clear, thin Invisalign trays straighten teeth and correct your bite. Unlike metal braces, almost no one else can tell you are wearing Invisalign. Straightening crooked teeth with Invisalign orthodontics is more comfortable, more convenient, less expensive and usually faster than metal braces. For most adults, treatment time is just under one year. Overall gum and bone health are improved when teeth are properly aligned and fit together with an ideal bite. Straight teeth are not only important for a beautiful smile – they contribute to a healthy smile!

Dental Implants
Dental implants are an excellent example of the benefits of new dental technology and are often an ideal solution for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant serves as a tooth root and anchors a replacement tooth, bridge or denture to your jaw. When dental implants are restored with porcelain crowns, they look and feel like natural teeth. One of the most common uses of mini dental implants is stabilization of dentures. Anchoring a denture with one or more dental implants resolves problems commonly associated with dentures, including concern and discomfort from loose and poorly fitting dentures. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are certified in dental implant placement and restorative techniques for both traditional and minimally invasive dental implants.

Dental Bridge (Fixed Partial Denture)
A dental bridge is also called a fixed partial denture and may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth. A fixed partial denture can be placed at the location of a missing tooth and is connected by crowning adjacent teeth. Bridges are sometimes better alternatives to removable partial dentures for comfort as well as aesthetic appeal. When there are gaps left by missing teeth, the remaining teeth eventually rotate or shift into the empty spaces. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to periodontal disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and ultimately, loss of additional teeth.

Tooth Contouring
Tooth reshaping or dental contouring can be used to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth. Contouring can also help adjust the length, shape or position of your teeth. The procedure creates very subtle changes with minimal or no discomfort.

Cosmetic Gum Surgery
The amount of visible gum tissue can be altered to improve the appearance of your smile. Sometimes gums recede with age or as a result of gum or periodontal disease. Gum recession can create the appearance of unnaturally long teeth. Gingival grafts can add gum tissue to reduce that “long in the tooth” look. Conversely, a gingivectomy
reduces excessive gum tissue revealing more of the tooth creating a less “gummy” smile. Gum contouring is also used to create a symmetrical or even gum line.

It is important to note that gum recession and shrinkage may also be a sign of periodontal disease which has very serious consequences for your dental and overall health. Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate the health of your gums at your routine dental cleaning and check-ups every six months, or more often if indicated.

Please visit our website at http://www.mccarldental.com to see smile makeovers designed and created by McCarl dentists.  Several of our dental patients featured on our website had complex dental cases with combinations of treatments including Invisalign orthodontics, dental implants and gum recontouring along with porcelain veneers and crowns. Others were able to achieve their goals for their smile in two or three visits.

• Crooked teeth can be straightened with Invisalign orthodontics, or for a quicker solution, porcelain veneers.
• Chipped and broken teeth can be repaired – the treatment will depend on the extent of damage, but the options include cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.
• Missing teeth cause functional problems as well as being unsightly. Solutions include dental implants with crowns, permanent bridges or dentures.
• Gaps between your teeth can be closed instantly with porcelain veneers. Orthodontics can also be used to move the teeth and close the gaps between them.
• If stained and discolored teeth cannot be brightened with professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers are an option.

McCarl Dental Group conveniently located near Annapolis and Severna Park Maryland offers complimentary consultations to answer questions and share information regarding dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics or a smile makeover with porcelain crowns or veneers.

One of the most exciting aspects in dentistry is the rapidly improving dental treatments in dental procedures. If you are missing teeth, there has never been a better time to take advantage of the dramatic improvements in minimally invasive dental implants. The procedure used to require significant and expensive periodontal surgery with a six month recovery before any teeth could be placed on the implant. Now it is a quick and minimally invasive procedure that often has no down time before a tooth, partial or full denture can be attached to the implant.

The bottom line for many patients with dentures is that for the first time since they have had dentures, they can actually talk and chew without being afraid that their dentures will fall out or shift causing sores in their mouths. Because the new procedure is less invasive, it is also less expensive. It is a win-win situation for our dental patients who now have a quick, comfortable and affordable solution for the discomfort and inconveniences of missing teeth and dentures.

The majority of dental patients who visit McCarl Dental Group live in Annapolis, Severna Park, Crofton, Crownsville College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, Greenbelt, and Millersville Maryland.

Please call 410-987-8800 and make McCarl Dental Group your Annapolis Invisalign Dentist www.mccarldental.com.  Align Technology named McCarl Dental Group a Preferred Provider of Invisalign Orthodontics!