Monday, January 5, 2009 – SARASOTA, FLORIDA –Dr. Charles Crane, a Sarasota cosmetic dentist, now offers Invisalign invisible braces.

Invisalign is a tooth alignment system that uses a series of clear plastic aligners that the patient changes out about every two weeks.

Crane took a series of courses in December to become certified in the Invisalign system. He had used the system previously with some of his restorative cases in cooperation with an area orthodontist.

“After working with the system for a while, I opted to obtain the certification because I saw where Invisalign could provide great results for a new demographic of patients,” Crane said.

In the past, some patients have pressed for porcelain veneers because they wanted instant results, he said. Invisalign has the ability to provide great results in a relatively short time without permanent tooth reduction, which is required with veneers.

The custom aligners are made to fit the needs of each individual patient and to gently guide the teeth into proper alignment, Crane said. Patients come in about every six weeks for check-ups.

The process begins with Crane taking impressions of the patient’s teeth. Those impressions are sent to a lab where the patient’s series of aligners are manufactured. The aligners are made using a high-quality plastic and they practically are invisible when worn.

“Lots of people want the beautiful look of straight teeth,” Crane said, “but some people- especially adults- do not want to endure having to wear traditional ‘train track’ braces to achieve that look.”

Unlike metal braces that can irritate the gums and inside of the cheeks, Invisalign’s smooth edges are comfortable to wear. Their removable feature makes it easier for patients to practice good oral hygiene when brushing and flossing, Crane said, but it’s important to note that the aligners must be worn to achieve optimum results. When worn properly, Invisalign can straighten teeth in nine to 18 months.

Suitable for many types of malocclusion, Invisalign is a great option for many patients, and continued technological advancements are making it possible to address more alignment issues, Crane said.

Invisalign can correct the following malocclusions:

• Overcrowded teeth- this occurs when there isn’t adequate space within the jaw for all of the teeth to fit normally.
• Widely spaced teeth- this can be caused by abnormal growth of the jaw bone or from missing teeth.
• Crossbite- this happens when the upper and lower jaws are misaligned and it causes upper teeth to bite on the inside surface of lower teeth, which can cause irregular wear.
• Underbite- this is when the lower teeth jut forward in front of the upper teeth.
• Overbite- referred to by dental professionals as overjet, this is when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Crane’s practice or if you are interested in scheduling a free consultation to discuss Invisalign or other cosmetic procedures, please call (941) 923-3802 or visit: www.drcharlescrane.com.

About Dr. Charles Crane

Charles E. Crane, D.D.S. graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1981. He went on to complete a residency at UAB Medical School in Birmingham, Ala. in IV Sedation. In 2003, Dr. Crane acquired the practice of Steven J. Krouse, D.D.S. and focused on cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry.

Dr. Crane has completed numerous post-graduate courses in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. He has studied intensely at the acclaimed Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies including courses in: Comprehensive Aesthetic Reconstruction, Advanced Functional Aesthetics and Mastering Neuromuscular Occlusion.

Dr. Crane is one of only a few Sarasota dentists to offer IV Sedation to his patients. He attends the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Scientific Session and the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry education symposiums.

© 2009 Sinai Dental Web Marketing and Dr. Charles Crane. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
-end-