Nicholas P. Zafiropoulos DMD, Orthodontist Mashpee, MA - Specialist in Orthodontics for Children and Adults :: Offering adult orthodontics, braces for kids, braces for adults, clear braces, Invisalign invisible aligners, orthodontists in Massachusetts

WHAT IS INVISALIGN?

Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners.

Invisalign. With breakthrough technology that lets you have the smile you've always wanted — without the hassle of braces.

Invisalign Invisible Braces

By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with results you'll notice sooner than you think. The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.

An average Invisalign course of treatment takes about a year. You'll visit Dr. Nick, every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments and to check progress. At regular intervals, you'll receive a new set of custom-molded clear aligners to continue the straightening process. The total number of clear aligners is specific to you, determined by your doctor for your course of treatment.

Since Invisalign is practically invisible, there's no unwarranted attention to your mouth. In fact, very few people will notice at all - unless you tell them. They're comfortable to wear and remove easily when you eat, brush, and floss.

Well-designed with teens in mind!
Invisalign Teen uses the same Invisalign technology as adult aligners, moving teeth gradually with each set of clear, comfortable plastic aligners. But because teens (and their mouths) are constantly on the move, we�ve added a few special features.

Blue wear-indicators fade from blue to clear to help your teen gauge wear time
Designed to compensate for the growth of new teeth and molars
Six free individual replacement aligners are included in case any get lost or misplaced

Best of all, Invisalign Teen works. So teens can smile with confidence and parents can, too.

How treatment works�.

Here's a quick look at the main steps of your treatment:

Set up a new patient exam with Dr. Nick (Invisalign Teen provider) for a consultation and find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign Teen. Full records will be taken if Invisalign Teen is right for you.
The diagnostic records (pictures and impressions) are digitized. Dr. Nick will use the 3D renderings to precisely plan your tooth movements from the beginning to the end of your treatment, in order to fix your orthodontic issue(s).
Based on the precise treatment plan, aligners will be made to custom-fit your teeth. The number of aligners changes for each person.
You'll wear your aligners about 20 to 22 hours everyday, except to eat, brush, and floss, or go to a special event.
Approximately every two weeks, you'll swap your old aligners for new ones. The aligners will gently and continuously move your teeth until they are in their final prescribed position, all without the usual hassle of metal braces.

Technological breakthroughs occur at a rapid pace, and orthodontics is no exception. Dr. Nick provides state-of-the-art treatment for a variety of orthodontic problems. He specializes in cutting-edge appliances, such as Damon System Self-Ligation Therapy, clear Sapphire Ice cosmetic braces and Invisalign, the "braceless" alternative to conventional braces.

More than Just Straight Teeth.

The Damon System is not just a new product; it's a whole new way of treating patients. Conventional treatment often requires removal of healthy teeth and/or the use of palatal expanders to make space. This approach is often uncomfortable, takes longer, and can leave a narrower arch and a flat profile. Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces, and are specifically designed to improve the overall facial result of each patient.

Braces are the beginning, but the system makes the smile. Certified Damon System doctors combine three key components, which when used together, deliver faster treatment, fewer appointments, greater comfort, and consistent high-quality results:

Damon passive self-ligating braces that eliminate the need for elastic or metal "ties".

2.Light high-technology shape-memory wires that move teeth faster and require fewer adjustments.

3.A new clinically proven treatment approach that aligns your teeth and enhances your facial aesthetics - usually without extractions or rapid palatal expanders.

Conventional braces on the left are tied in with elastics, which cause friction and pressure, making treatment slower and less comfortable. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the wire, which allows teeth to move more freely, quickly and comfortably.

Damon braces are designed to be discreet, comfortable and easy to keep clean. Without the elastic ties which attract and collect plaque, Damon braces make dental hygiene easy during treatment.

DAMON CLEAR

Click above to view large image.

NANCE APPLIANCE

The TPA/Nance (Trans Palatal Arch/Nance Combo) has several different possible functions: 1. Space maintainer once the upper six-year molars have been pushed back. 2. Anchor to prevent the molars from slipping forward when there have been permanent teeth extracted. 3. Appliance to widen the upper arch.

LINGUAL ARCH

The Lingual Arch is a space maintainer which allows the side adult teeth to have room to grow in properly. It can also be useful to regain lost space where primary teeth have been removed prematurely, and teeth have unfavorably drifted into the space needed for the other adult teeth.

RAPID PALATAL EXPANDER (RPE)

The RPE is the most commonly used appliance to expand a narrow upper jaw. Once the expansion is complete, the appliance must remain in the mouth for 6 months to allow the expansion to become permanent.

QUAD HELIX

The Quad Helix is one of several types of appliances that are used for expansion of the upper jaw. It usually must be left in the mouth for 6-9 months to allow the jaw to grow laterally with the expansion.

T-REX APPLIANCE

The T-Rex appliance is an expansion appliance that widens the upper jaw. It is also used to push the upper six year molars back, usually with the help of the headgear. It is usually left in the mouth for 6-9 months, depending on the patient's level of cooperation.

MARA APPLIANCE

ADVANSYNC M2M APPLIANCE

CARRIERE DISTALIZER

HEADGEAR

The headgear is used to push the upper six year molars back, in order to make room for the remaining adult teeth.
It can also be used to hold back the upper six year molars, in order to prevent them from slipping forward, such as in an extraction situation.

PROTRACTION HEADGEAR

The Protraction Facemask is used to bring the upper jaw forward to meet the lower jaw, in order to create a positive overlap of the front teeth when there is an existing underbite of the front teeth. It is usually used in combination with an expansion appliance.

ESSIX APPLIANCE (INVISIBLE RETAINER)

The Essix retainer is one commonly used retainer when a patient gets his/her braces off..

HAWLEY RETAINER

The Hawley retainer is a retainer used in various situations. The most common uses are to close spaces between teeth and as retainers when the braces are removed.

INVISALIGN

If the thought of wearing braces is all that is stopping you from getting the smile you've always wanted, we have great news for you. Invisalign is a breakthrough in orthodontics that uses a series of clear, virtually undetectable tooth aligners to gradually move your teeth. This is done without metal wires and brackets. Aligners are removeable and custom-made for your teeth through the combination of Dr. Nick's expertise and the latest in 3-dimensional computer technology. Invisalign is the "braceless" way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile.

Bonded Lingual Permanent Retainers (Upper and/or Lower)

Bonded lingual retainers are custom fabricated wires that are placed when the braces are removed in cases where spacing and/or crowding of teeth was originally present. They act as additional stabiization, and are used in conjunction with removeable retainers.