Invisalign Savings Event at Austin Orthodontics!

Dr. David Nelson at Austin Orthodontics is excited to announce our latest Invisalign promotion! If you begin full Invisalign treatment through November 30, 2011, you will receive an iPad or a $500 treatment discount!! Schedule your consultation today to see if Invisalign is right for you.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at the office, visit our website, or leave us a comment on Facebook!

The Go-To Mom Talks Invisalign

Our team at Austin Orthodontics found a great video that discusses the advantages of Invisalign. In the video, Kimberley Clayton Blaine, "The Go-To Mom," discusses the Invisalign and Invisalign Teen treatment and her personal experience with Invisalign.

To determine if Invisalign is right for you, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. David Nelson. Have a great week!

Ask Dr. Nelson: What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Austin Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy Gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Austin Orthodontics the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

With Invisalign, you can give the gift of a "clearly" amazing smile this holiday!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Austin Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Dr. Nelson is your A+ Invisalign certified provider

Have you heard of Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces?

Dr. Nelson is not only a certified Invisalign and Invisalign Teen provider, but he was an “Alpha doctor” involved in the original clinical testing and evaluation of the Invisalign system. This week, our team at Austin Orthodontics featured our A+ Invisalign grades in our "What we do Wednesday" showcase on Facebook.

In case you didn't know, here are a few important facts about Invisalign:

-Invisalign is often more affordable than most patients think and can be less expensive than conventional braces

-Moms and Dads: We offer a 5% family member discount for the 2nd family member and 10% for the 3rd. Maybe it's your turn!

-The orthodontist you choose for Invisalign MATTERS. A lot of treatment planning goes into making sure that Invisalign is successful. We want to make sure you choose the best!

For more information on Invisalign, and orthodontic treatment options in Austin, TX, give Austin Orthodontics a call!

Dr. Nelson is your certified Invisalign Teen™ provider in Austin

Hey teens! Would you like to straighten your teeth, without anyone ever knowing? Dr. Nelson and our team would like to remind you that Invisalign Teen™ gives you a whole new way to wear braces for a "clearly" amazing smile!

In this short patient video, Maddie shares her experience having Invisalign Teen. If you are considering orthodontic treatment, please give us a call at Austin Orthodontics and we’ll answer any questions you may have about Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.

Why do you choose Austin Orthodontics?

At Austin Orthodontics, serving Austin, TX and surrounding areas, it is our personal philosophy that orthodontic treatment should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the moment that you walk in the door of Austin Orthodontics, Dr. Nelson and team strive to make our patients' experience as pleasant as possible with convenient scheduling, insurance inquiries, and after-hours care. Today, we would love to hear about your experience at Austin Orthodontics.

Whether you or your family has been visiting our office for weeks, months, or years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Invisalign® and your oral health, from Austin Orthodontics

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Austin Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Nelson the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Nelson for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Nelson to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Austin Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Friday fun facts with Austin Orthodontics

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Austin Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Ask Dr. Nelson: What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Austin Orthodontics in Austin, TX found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affects your oral health.

Nail biting, or Onychophagia, is a common habit that is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, and unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.

• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.

• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.

• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Nelson for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.

Good luck!

-Your friends at Austin Orthodontics

What are patients saying about Austin Orthodontics?

Austin Orthodontics, serving Austin, TX and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Nelson and team!

"I absolutely love my orthodontist and his staff. They are so amazingly friendly. I felt welcomed when I entered the office and everyone had the most beautiful smiles on their faces. It felt like they were a family and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than with my family, so thanks Dr. Nelson and staff for making my visits and care there a comfortable and exciting experience." ~Deirdre

"Dr. Nelson is really smart and he knows his stuff. He also has very high ethical standards and only recommends treatments that are appropriate for each patient. I had visited four other orthodontists for initial consultations and they all recommended that I should have jaw surgery - a couple of them barely looked at me for 30 seconds and recommended surgery. Dr. Nelson was honest and sincere when he said that I did not have any facial abnormalities that would warrant surgical intervention. I appreciated his honesty and decided to choose him for my treatment. After I started my treatment with him, he has remained extremely involved in my oral health." ~Harini

"I'm thrilled with our orthodontist. All staff is friendly, courteous, and efficient." ~Diana

"Hey, Dr. Nelson! Why is it so important to have straight teeth?"

Some people wonder why Austin, TX orthodontist Dr. Nelson and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Austin Orthodontics can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Dr. Nelson can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Ask Austin Orthodontics: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work! To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.
Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Drs. Nelson and Burgess are certified Invisalign providers. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.