How Invisalign Works: Invisalign is an alternative to braces that uses a series of plastic aligners to move teeth. We start with a virtual model of your teeth, and then program individual movements, in small increments, until an ideal virtual bite is achieved. We then plan what is called “overtreatment”, which exaggerates certain movements to […]
Clear aligners: what role do they play in cosmetic dental treatment? Please observe the above picture. Notice that the second upper tooth to the patient’s right, the lateral incisor, is positioned behind the lower teeth, in “crossbite”. I drew an orange line showing the gum levels of the two middle teeth, the central incisors. Ideally […]
Space: a key consideration in a child’s developing bite. Space refers to the amount of room available for teeth in each jaw. When there’s too little, we refer to that as crowding or as an arch length deficiency. This can be deceiving when kids are losing primary teeth and are in the process of having new permanent teeth […]
Have you ever wondered what you would look like with braces? Are your kids nervous about going to the orthodontist because they can’t envision their new smiles? Sometimes being worried about how we’ll look in braces can hold us back from taking that first step. Well, never fear, there truly is “an app for that!” Whether you’re considering braces for your […]
The purpose of the initial orthodontic evaluation appointment is to: Get to know the orthodontic team and for them to get to know you. Learn whether orthodontic treatment would be beneficial, and if so, how. Learn about potential treatment options, treatment duration, and cost. Determine whether you are comfortable with the orthodontist, the staff, practice culture and atmosphere, and […]
What are self-ligating braces (brackets)? Self-ligating brackets feature a sliding gate or door that holds the wire in place, as opposed to the colored elastic ties that are used with traditional braces. The are manufactured and marketed by various orthodontic supply companies. Like traditional brackets, they are available in metal and clear versions. What advantages […]
Paying for orthodontic treatment–what are the main financial resources? There are generally four financial resources for orthodontic treatment: Insurance Employer-sponsored pre-tax plans such as Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts Out-of-pocket funds Third party financing Financial strategies for optimizing your purchasing power Insurance Orthodontic insurance typically pays 50% of incurred charges up to a lifetime […]
What is evidence-based care? The concept of evidence-based care was pioneered by British epidemiologist Archie Cochrane in the early 1970’s, based upon the underlying principle that treatment offered to patients should be proven to be effective. He and his colleagues devised standards for proper scientific studies, with the gold standard being the Randomized Controlled Trial. Ultimately, […]
Why should Schur Orthodontics be your Bellevue Invisalign practice? Because Schur Orthodontics meets all of prime selection criteria: Invisalign treatment is really just another form of orthodontic treatment, and Dr. Jeffrey Schur is a UW-trained orthodontic specialist who has dedicated his career to the finer points of tooth movement, including bite function and esthetics. Experience: Dr. […]
Hygiene during orthodontic treatment: critical to maintaining oral health! The goal of oral hygiene is to maintain the health of your teeth, gums, bone, and ligaments that support your teeth. The bacteria in plaque can infect your gums. This in turn causes inflammation to occur, and inflammation can result in gum recession and loss of […]
