Going to the dentist or orthodontist in Kyle can be stressful for some people, especially if you need to have a lot of work done. “Dental anxiety, or dental fear, is estimated to affect approximately 36% of the population, with a further 12% suffering from extreme dental fear.”  But getting dental or orthodontic treatment at Oldham Family Orthodontics in Kyle doesn’t have to be anxiety-inducing, scary, or even uncomfortable. Here, we want to make going to the orthodontist in Kyle is a pleasant, even exciting experience! In our office, we have access to the latest and greatest technology, with the Invisalign iTero Element® scanner. If you’re considering Buda Invisalign, Kyle Invisalign, or San Marcos Invisalign, this new scanner can make your experience much more enjoyable and fun. Here are just a few reasons why.

Goopy Dental Impressions: Not Always the Best Way to Go

Just a few years ago, if you went to the orthodontist in Kyle to get fitted for a retainer or to get Kyle braces, your only option was to create a dental impression, or mold, with silly putty-like goop. This thick, liquid material, is most commonly known as alginate, which is originally found within the cell walls of brown seaweeds. The doctor would fill a tray with this material, and then fit it into your mouth, where it would sit for two to three minutes while your teeth sunk into the goop, making an impression and creating a mold of your mouth. These plaster casts were the standard for many years, but they did come with “several disadvantages including labor-intensive work, demand on physical storage space, fragility, degradation, and problems of potential loss during transfer.” There’s also the added annoyance of having to start over if a dental impression is not successful the first time.

Another disadvantage of these dental impressions was that a lot of kids had a hard time sitting still for that long with such a yucky thing in their mouth. Kids with ultra-sensitive gag reflexes would sometimes even throw up during the process, making for an embarrassing and traumatic experience for parents and children alike.

Better Technology = Better Results

Dealing with these kinds of issues during dental school and residency convinced Dr. Oldham that he wanted a better experience for his patients at his Kyle orthodontic office. The new 3D Invisalign iTero Element® scanner allows Dr. Oldham to create a 3D image of your teeth in just a few minutes, without discomfort or gag-inducing goop. The wand connected to the scanner takes 6,000 images per second, creating a 3D model of your teeth almost instantly. If the scanning process needs to be stopped or started, (say, you need to use the restroom in the middle of it) Dr. Oldham can do that as many times as necessary without it affecting the overall result.

Once the scan is complete, you can see an accurate 3D model of your teeth on the screen from all different angles. Dr. Oldham says, “During my training, I was always the guy who used the scanner and thought it was way better. It makes things less messy. The parents love it, the kids love it, and it just streamlines everything.”

A digital impression not only streamlines the traditional process, but it is also more efficient and can reduce the number of times a patient has to come in for orthodontics in Kyle. And, an added bonus is that if your Buda/Kyle Invisalign trays get lost or broken, they can “easily be refabricated using the digital files” without having to make new impressions.

Get a Jump Start on Your Kyle Invisalign/Buda Invisalign/San Marcos Invisalign

Not only does the Invisalign iTero Element® scanner make your experience at Oldham Family Orthodontics in Kyle easier and more comfortable, but it also produces such a precise, accurate 3D model that Invisalign actually turns out better overall than with traditional molds. If you’re ready to begin your Buda Invisalign/Kyle Invisalign treatment, and don’t want to wait weeks to get started, then the 3D scanner allows you a quicker start time. “I can send the scan immediately to Invisalign, and they start working on your trays right away,” says Dr. Oldham. “It cuts out 2-3 weeks of waiting time so you can get going on Invisalign way faster than if you did the traditional molds.”

The 3D Scanner is Great for Kyle Braces, Too!

Not doing Kyle Invisalign/Buda Invisalign/San Marcos Invisalign and going with braces instead? Good news! The 3D model of your teeth made by the scanner can also be used to plan for your traditional braces. The digital model shows how your teeth fit together, (whether there is crowding, big gaps, etc.) and which teeth are bearing the brunt of your bite. Since each mouth is unique and teeth differ in size and in shape, Dr. Oldham will use your personal 3D model to customize brackets and wires for your braces that will adhere to the shape of your teeth and get you on the fast track to a beautiful smile.

An Investment that Puts Patients First

One of the biggest benefits of this 3D scanner is that it dramatically improves the dental experience for patients across the board. At Oldham Family Orthodontics in Kyle, we invested in this scanner because the comfort of our patients is our highest priority. We want you to feel less anxiety and stress about coming to your Kyle orthodontist; and instead look forward to your visit! Here is what just one of our patients had to say about their experience at our office: “I had an amazing visit. The staff are super nice, knowledgeable, and professional! The facility is clean and equipped with some of the best technology. I highly recommend this location above all else in the area for orthodontics care and questions. They are even open on Saturdays!” – Google review from T M

Whether you’re in the market for Buda Invisalign, Kyle Invisalign, searching for San Marcos Orthodontics, or wanting Kyle Braces, at Oldham Family Orthodontics we have the right tools and technology to create your beautiful smile. Once you walk into our office, you’re part of our family. We aren’t 100% satisfied with your smile until YOU are! Schedule your FREE consultation today and see your teeth in 3D with our in-office Invisalign iTero Element® scanner.

Call us now at (512) 256-7886!