Dr. Mark Hodge runs Berkshire Dental Group in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Dr. Hodge treats more Invisalign patients than any other dentist in Oklahoma and is the state’s only “Elite Invisalign Provider,” the company’s highest recognition award. Elite Providers represent the top 3% of Invisalign providers worldwide. Dr. Hodge also specializes in Invisalign for teens.
Did you know that four out of five people are walking around with the worst silent killer of teeth and it’s called periodontal disease (or gum disease)? Did you know that gum disease has been linked to heart disease? Why do you think we dentists stress flossing between your teeth so much? If that food stays trapped between the teeth for hours and hours, it causes the bacteria in your mouth to propagate and release toxins that cause the gums to become inflamed and bleed.
Many people don’t floss because their teeth are so crooked that the floss gets caught, and then they have floss and food caught between their teeth. But when the teeth are nice and straight after Invisalign, the floss can glide through them like silk. And your gums become healthier and stronger for years and years to come. So why wouldn’t you want to improve your teeth, your smile, and your gums at the same time?
Did you know that having crooked teeth can also cause them to function improperly? Our body parts were made to work together in synergy. When teeth are crooked, they can become worn down, and sensitivity and chipping can occur. Also more stress is placed on certain areas that usually can’t handle these forces. This can result in periodontal disease and erosion of the supporting bone -not a good scenario. Then I’m supposed to be able to perform miracles and somehow fix these problems when you’re 50 instead of when you’re 20 or 30. That is not an easy job, let me tell you.
Aside from all the health benefits, I cannot emphasize enough that one of the first things people notice about others is their smile. Many people are unaware of the impact their smile makes when being introduced to people, the level of respect they are given, or even how it can either positively or negatively affect their relationship with their spouse or significant other.
Invisalign consists of a series of plastic trays called aligners. They look similar to whitening trays. Every two weeks, you change into your new aligners. Each aligner moves the crooked teeth ever-so-slightly until after a set amount of months and then — wow! — your teeth are straight.
Here at Berkshire Dental Group, we make Invisalign affordable. Most orthodontists in my area don’t take PPO insurances and have higher fees for regular braces, and then increase their fees for the Invisalign trays to cover the cost of the lab bill. At my office, we don’t have 20 staff members to pay, so we can offer this new technology at the same price as regular braces. We also take PPO insurances, so whatever your set price is for orthodontic coverage, that’s the price I charge. My philosophy is to give as many people as possible the chance to have a more attractive smile that will last a lifetime.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
