Would you believe you can straighten your teeth without braces?

You can! The product is called Invisalign and they work as a series of hard, clear plastic moulds you place over your teeth like a mouthguard. This is accomplished through computer generated images that let a high tech machine know which moulds to make to reposition each tooth perfectly where it should be.

The whole process is simple, painless and achieved through a virtually invisible process. This is ideal for self-conscious teens and adults who can’t afford the stigma associated with regular “train track braces”.

There is no doubt how important your smile is. Smiling makes you look confident to others and it also lifts the morale of others around you. The average adult male smiles 8 to 10 times a day.

A recent dental study on smiling revealed smiling can also further you career.

74% of people think that an attractive smile helps a person’s changes for job and business success.

But, what if you’re afraid to smile, or what if your smile is unattractive because your teeth are crooked and you need braces.

You wouldn’t want to miss out on your dream job just because of uneven teeth. You don’t want make a poor impression by not smiling when you should.

Braces are an answer, however most adults don’t want train tracks across their teeth like a teenager’s braces, but they also don’t want to go through life scared to smile because of misaligned teeth.

Here’s a bit of truth that can get you a winning smile – Invisalign fixes your teeth without the worry of cumbersome, smile ruining metal braces. Countless Invisalign reviews confirm the painless ease of use and that the ‘invisible’ braces are barely noticed by friends, coworkers and family.

Plus, the cost of Invisalign is miniscule compared to the lifetime of successes that having a straight, appealing smile will bring.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that invisible braces, such as Invisalign, are an easy, painless way to get straight teeth.

But, you do have to be rocket scientist to invent invisible braces. Invisalign is made from translucent polycrystalline alumina (TPA), a material developed by NASA’s Advanced Ceramics Research, originally designed to protect heat seeking missiles.

Now, instead of protecting missiles, these clear braces protect and straighten your teeth.

Invisible braces were first sold in 1987, but their prices were less cost effective than Invisalign prices and the procedure was less precise. These invisible braces resembled mouth guards, they were cumbersome, ill-fitting and almost as bad as traditional wire braces, while the cost was twice as much.

In 1997, Stanford University students Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth perfected the Invisalign orthodontics procedure. The MBA students used high-tech computer imaging graphics to make sure that the invisible braces work exactly like metal braces, without the pain and the constant adjustments.

Here’s a fun fact; neither Chishti nor Wirth had any dental training, they were both traditional braces users that were tired of dealing with teeth issues.

Invisalign officially hit the markets in 2000, and instantly became the easiest to use most popular invisible braces ever.

In Hollywood, a world where beauty matters a heck of a lot, many celebrities take the time to perfect flaws they feel uncomfortable with. These superstars set a standard of ideal attractiveness for the rest of the world but that doesn’t mean they were born completely flawless!

Previously, we broke down Tom Cruise’s smile and found that it wasn’t quite as perfect as most people originally believe it to be. This time around, we’ll switch genders and focus on a famous set of chompers dentists love talking about that now sits gorgeously aligned in Katherine Heigl’s mouth.

While Katherine wasn’t born with extremely horrendous teeth, there were enough problems to make her feel insecure for much of her life. After she became engaged, Katherine decided that she was going to have that perfect smile for her big wedding day.

Being an actress in box office movies as well as having been a main character on the hit television show, Grey’s Anatomy, means that walking around with silver braces is not a possibility for her to consider.

Because of this, Katherine chose to opt for the clear and discreet Invisalign aligners. When she first started wearing them in 2007, Heigl couldn’t stop talking about the wonders of Invisalign and what it was doing for her.

Like many adults who would, understandably, feel incredibly self-conscious walking around with prominent braces, Katherine wanted to fix her teeth with the least amount of attention pointing out her biggest insecurity.

Luckily for us, Katherine is known for being outspoken and isn’t shy when talking about her ‘wonky tooth’ and proudly showing off her Invisalign set:

Katherine Heigl Invisalign Video

If you’ve noticed, right in the middle of her interview, she pulls out her Invisalign trays for everyone to see! It’s a little difficult to see her teeth clearly in that clip so here is a ‘Before’ photograph. See if you can spot what’s wrong with her teeth: The most visible aspect is her two lateral incisor teeth slightly protrude outward farther than her front teeth. While this isn’t as apparent from the front view, it’s quite obvious when looking from this angle:

Many people notice crooked teeth and perceive it as only a cosmetic flaw when realistically, there are many other problems associated with it. When there is misalignment of teeth, as shown in Katherine’s incisors, it means that the upper and lower jaws are not aligned. It can also affect the function of the jaw which can lead to sore muscles and headaches.

This specific dental problem is extremely common due to the fact that more often than not, it’s hereditarily passed on from parent to child.

Invisalign isn’t suitable for people with weak roots or those who require more extensive dental work. Since Katherine Heigl’s protruding teeth are such a common occurrence, she was the perfect candidate for Invisalign after her visit to the dentist or orthodontist.

Although Katherine has always been a natural beauty, teeth and all, take a look at what a difference Invisalign has made for her:

Not only did Invisalign give her straighter teeth – it gives her entire face a brighter, more dazzling appearance because of her improved self-confidence.

Exponential Growth Strategist, Dr Marc Dussault published an interesting blog post recently called “You Can’t Afford To Be Ugly“. It provocatively makes the point that we are judged by the way we look.

Let’s face it first impressions DO COUNT.

A lot.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression

First impressions are based primarily on looks. According to an Australian survey, 3 out of 4 people believe that the way you look defines your character.

You can dress however you want when you are home, or with friends, but in the business world, a professional look is key to success.

In an increasing casual world, a professional look signals dedication and expertise.

What elements make up a classical professional look?

For men, it’s dark-colored, tailored suits. To add extra sophistication, men can add a crisp white shirt, a conservative tie, and polished shoes.

Businesswomen should wear a skirt or pantsuit, with a modest blouse. Heels should be an appropriate height. This is for aesthetic and safety reasons.

Both sexes should avoid loud jewelry and strong cologne/perfume. Also, visible tattoos and body piercing are NEVER professional. (unless you work in music or the circus)

But, dressing for success means nothing if you look unhealthy.

Weight is a physical attribute that people will notice when scanning you during that ever-important first impression. “The interview.”

People may not notice how physically fit you are, but they will notice if you are over or under weight. Especially if you are obese.

If you are overweight, people may assume that you have little self-discipline and self-respect They may be reluctant to hire or do business with you.

Being underweight isn’t much better. No one is going to want to work with you if you look sick, anemic or anorexic.

Most weight issues can be fixed with dedication to proper diet and exercise.

When it comes to your dental aesthetics, it’s vitally important you put your best smile forward.

At Bay Dental + Orthodontics, we have several options to offer.

First, we have Invisalign™, the clear alternative to braces. We also have Snap-On Smile™ and other cosmetic dental solutions for you to choose from.

How does Invisalign™ work? Well, a series of clear plastic molds slowly move your teeth into place, until you have a Hollywood perfect smile.

This is accomplished through computer generated images that let a machine know which molds to make to get your smile (teeth) in order.

The whole process is simple, painless and achieved through virtually invisible braces. However, if Invisalign™ doesn’t seem like it’s right for you, there are alternatives.

Invisalign™ vs Braces

You could get regular, old-fashioned “train-track” braces. In this process, heavy wires are bonded to your teeth and then painfully tightened every few weeks until your teeth are pushed back into place. This is expensive and it often leaves patients with aching mouths and sore jaws. Plus, metal braces can cause excessive gum tissue, which can make even straight teeth look crooked.

Invisalign™ vs Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a quicker fix than both Invisalign™ and traditional braces, but it’s costly, traumatic, painful and leaves your mouth in traction for weeks. And, like traditional metal braces, cosmetic dental surgery can leave your teeth still looking crooked, making you self conscious about your smile.

Invisalign™are invisible braces, one of those rare life-changing innovations that have to (not) be seen to be believed. Imagine wearing clear moulds that fit snugly on your teeth, nudging them into place painlessly without ugly train-track braces. That’s what Invisalign™ braces are.

Putting Invisalign™ “braces on is so easy, simple and totally painless.

Invisalign™ Braces Are Easy To Put On

The best part of using Invisalign™ braces is that you can pop them off if you have a hot date or important business meeting without affecting your treatment. Totally painless, Invisible braces have been a long-time coming.

Call us now on (02) 9363 3388 to get your personal consultation to determine if you can have the nice, straight teeth you’ve always wanted.

Let’s face it, most people would agree Tom Cruise has a great smile, but does he really? As a dentist with expertise in orthodontics, I know what a great smile is and Tom Cruise’s is far from being a great smile, orthodontically speaking. Let’s look at

The Anatomy Of Tom Cruise’s Smile

Tom Cruise's Smile Analysed By A Dentist

Starting from top right going clockwise:

1. Thin upper lip due to underdeveloped upper jaw.
2. Gum line of 2^nd tooth on the left is higher than 1^st tooth and 3^rd tooth higher again. Ideally the 1^st and 3^rd tooth should be about the same level and the 2^nd tooth lower.
3. The upper midline is drastically off to the left hand side. Probably due to a missing tooth. This is why it’s hard to find a frontal shot of Tom Cruise. He has learnt well to camouflage this by not having photos taken full frontal, but angled from the side.
4. Gum levels are off and the smile width is narrow showing darkness between the edge of the lips.

Tom Cruise has won 3 Golden Globe Awards for his acting, but he’s not going to win any awards from a dental or orthodontic association anytime soon!

At Bay Dental And Orthodontics, we ensure that your smile is the best it can be. Not everyone has the style and charisma of Tom Cruise. Your smile is one of the most important cosmetic aspects who you are, one of the first features people look at to determine if they like you, want to do business with you, trust you…

It’s important that you get the best advice available. I’ve developed my skill and expertise as a dentist who specialises in orthodontic work. Give us a call if you’d like your smile analysed and improved. Today, there are so many cost effective and pain-free options available.

I bet you'll never see Tom Cruise's smile the same way ever again!