Articles> Orthodontics

Technology Advancements Bring More Adults to Beverly Hills Orthodontist

December 17, 2007 –LOS ANGELES AND SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – As the technology improves orthodontics, more adults are turning to it to improve their smiles through the use of smaller, subtler appliances and quicker treatment times.

Beverly Hills Orthodontist and Invisalign specialist Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen sees the trend first-hand, as nearly half of her patients today are adults.

“There are many other treatment options that aren’t as noticeable as the traditional metal ‘train track’ braces,” Nikaeen said. “Adults seem to be more willing to take steps to improve their smiles when they realize there are less noticeable alternatives.”

Today, one out of five orthodontic patients is an adult, and the number of adult patients is up almost 60 percent from just 10 years ago, according to the American Association of Orthodontists in St. Louis, Mo. Increased health awareness and advances in dental care that allow people to keep our teeth longer has translated into more adults choosing to wear braces to improve their dental health and appearance.

Technological advancements have resulted in smaller, bondable braces. Pure tipping mechanics have evolved into the straight-wire philosophy, and arch wires have evolved from stiff wires that deliver heavy short-term forces to temperature-reactive wires that deliver more gentle longer-term forces. Patients today are treated with clear or tooth-colored braces and clear rubber bands that blend in with the teeth, Nikaeen said.

Nikaeen uses self-ligating brackets on many adult patients who prove to be good candidates for the technique. These brackets do not need the little o-shaped rubber bands- called ligatures- or metal tie wires to hold the arch wire onto the bracket. Self-ligating brackets also provide more patient comfort, less treatment time and less force implemented on teeth.

“In some cases, patients are able to go up to 10 weeks between appointments,” Nikaeen said.

Self-ligating brackets allow freedom of movement, which results in faster results with gentler force. Many adults are concerned about the length of time they are required to undergo orthodontic treatment, Nikaeen said. Self-ligating brackets can reduce treatment time by six months in many cases.

Another popular form of orthodontic treatment is the use of Invisalign, a series of clear aligners that are custom-molded to fit the patient. This eliminates the need for braces affixed to the patient’s teeth.
Invisalign, also known as “invisible braces,” has gained tremendous popularity as patients become aware of its many assets, said Nikaeen, a certified Invisalign provider since 1999.
In addition to the aesthetic reasons for choosing Invisalign, this alignment procedure carries great oral hygiene benefits, she said. Brushing and flossing are made easier because the aligners can be removed.

Finally, lingual braces are an ideal option for adults who want the benefits of perfectly aligned teeth, but don’t want people to see a mouthful of orthodontic appliances, Nikaeen said.

Lingual braces function similarly to traditional braces, but they sit on the back of the teeth, which makes them completely invisible from the front. They can be used on the top and bottom teeth. Because the bottom teeth are generally less visible anyway, a popular combination is to have lingual braces on the top teeth and clear braces on the bottom, Nikaeen said.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about orthodontic procedures for adults or would like information on Invisalign, visit Dr. Nikaeen’s Web site: www.invisibraces.com or call her office for a free consultation: (310) 444-1113.

About Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen
Dr. Nikaeen graduated with honors from dental school in 1993 and received a doctorate in dental surgery. She gained experience practicing general dentistry for several years before attending Columbia University School of Dentistry and Oral Surgeons in New York, where she earned her post-doctoral education in orthodontics and received an orthodontic specialty certificate.

Dr. Nikaeen became a diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2007. She also is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics, West Los Angeles Dental Society, Los Angeles Women’s Dental Society (past vice president), the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association and the Los Angeles Dental Society.

In addition to running her practice, Dr. Nikaeen is a faculty member at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) Orthodontic Department and teaches orthodontic residents.

Dr. Nikaeen’s Los Angeles practice serves patients throughout Southern California, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

© 2007 Sinai Marketing and Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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