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Is it possible to straighten the teeth without braces? Yes, it is. Welcome to the world of Invisalign aligners. Invisalign aligners are made from a clear, thermoplastic material that is custom made to fit your teeth. Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. More importantly, the clear thermoplastic material makes the aligners invisible, which is ideal if the thought of metal braces and elastics make you self-conscious. For the best results, proper handling and care of your Invisalign aligners is important. Follow these steps to take care of your aligners:

1. Do not eat or drink hot beverages while wearing aligners. It's a good idea to get in the practice of removing the aligners before eating and drinking. Because the aligners are made of plastic resin, heat can distort and damage them. Also, eating while wearing the aligners will cause sugar and other food particles to stay on your teeth, which contributes to plaque and tooth decay.

2. Clean the aligner trays regularly. Invisalign aligners are exposed to the same bacteria and plaque that your mouth is, so you need to clean them as regularly as you clean your teeth. However, avoid cleaning the aligners with harsh chemicals. We recommend using a cleaning kit or some other type of specific solution. When it comes to cleaning Invisalign aligners, carefully follow the instructions given by Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo.

3. Store aligners in a cool, dry, safe place. When you’re not wearing the aligners, store them in the case provided by our office. If you don’t use the case, they can easily be lost. Keeping them out of reach of small children and pets is also a good idea. The last thing you want is for Fido to think your Invisalign aligners are chew toys.

4. Don’t chew gum while wearing aligners. There’s one thing that conventional braces and Invisalign aligners have in common: chewing gum damages both of them.

5. Don’t soak aligners in mouthwash. Many popular mouthwashes contain a color pigment. It’s possible that soaking Invisalign aligners in mouthwash will tint or stain them.

For more tips and tricks for a successful Invisalign experience, contact our Fresno, CA office!

Parent’s Point of View 

It takes time… Trust the process 

Timing is everything. We all what we want, when we want it, and generally we want it now. Life does not always work the way we want; immediacy. When I started this process of orthodontic care, there were visions of a great smile and straight teeth and I wanted it to happen fast. But the reality is that it takes time for teeth to move; after all, they have been in place for 50 years and shifting takes time, movement takes time. Life has its own timing. There is a process for everything and this process needs time. Learning to trust the process is key. 

After a few weeks into the process, living with Invisalign had become second nature; consistently wearing them 24/7 and only taking them while eating; learning to enunciate succinctly while speaking and keeping my trays clean became habit. At this fourth appointment, my question to Dr. Kubo was, “How long will this process take?” The answer was not simple nor concrete. “That is the X factor, the unknown.” Such is life. There is an unknown to many of our questions and this was one of them. 

I wanted to know how long this would go on before my smile became what I envisioned. But the answer was the X factor, unknown to us; unknown to Dr. Kubo and unknown to me as a patient.  Only time would tell. Depending on the structure and state of teeth, we can anticipate 18 months, but this is only speculation. 

We as patients can control time wearing our Invisalign; we are the Y factor. We control the frequency that we wear our Invisalign. With braces, we do not have the ability to remove them. There is no choice, they are wired in 24/7. With the ability to remove a retainer and Invisalign trays, we have control over how frequent or infrequent we wear them. If we develop inconsistent habits of not wearing them, there is a delay in outcomes. 

We, as the Y factor, have direct influence on how much time we wear our Invisalign. The more we wear them, the more effective the treatment. If we habitually remove the trays, our teeth are not moving towards what we desire. Visualizing my straight teeth motivates me to wear my trays at all times, only taking them out to eat. 

The human element directly influences outcomes. Dr. Kubo assesses and prescribes a customized treatment plan and our role as patients is to follow and execute the plan. There is a level of discipline and accountability on our part as a patient. And over time, with consistent follow through; there is progress. 

Human element. Effort. Discipline. Timing. Progress. Trust. 

Our power and influence as people is great. It takes effort. It takes discipline. It takes time. Progress takes time. Trust the process. 

Liao Company is a Central Valley Company which offers content marketing for organizations, businesses, and corporations. www.liaocompany.com liaocompany@gmail.com 

Teenager’s Point of View 

Nice to know someone cares… like your teeth are going to the spa… feeling confident about your smile 

This was the first time we were going during the afternoon. We had to book later because the schedule was almost full and that was the only time that worked. This told me that the Kubo’s have many clients, so it must be good.  

Going during the afternoon gave me different vibes. I have a feeling that a good percentage of Kubo’s clients are probably just like me; young kids in high school and middle school getting their braces, retainers or Invisalign. They all probably wanted to book appointments in the morning to not conflict with their after school activities or their involvement in school. I can relate to this, because I am the same. It’s nice to know I am not the only one. 

When we got there and got inside, it was pretty quiet except for the music. We signed in as usual and waited to be called back. I was pretty tired from school and practice and I also had practice after the appointment too, so I was exhausted. When I sat down, I finally had some time to relax. 

When they called us back, I saw Dr. Kubo and he called us over to a chair. He had me sit and started looking to see if anything fell off, like a bracket. He always asks how I am, how school is, and just checks in. It is nice to know someone cares enough to ask how we are. Even though we are just there for the appointment and my teeth, it never hurts to ask how someone is feeling. 

Anyways, he started working on my teeth and to be honest, I just closed my eyes and almost fell asleep. I find this funny because you would think the orthodontist is just like the dentist. May I just say, it is so much more relaxing then the dentist. 

I find them working on my teeth actually very soothing. It is honestly nothing to be scared of or worried about. I find cleaning and putting brackets on, almost like your teeth are going to the spa. 

After it was all finished, we said goodbye and went to the front desk ladies; and they were as nice as they always are. After leaving, I felt good about my teeth. I think that’s a major thing that Dr. Kubo and the team is really good at, making you feel confident about your smile.

If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Robert Kubo and Dr. James Kubo and our team think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months, or as recommended, in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing. (And visiting Kubo Orthodontic Group for regular adjustments, of course.)

Dental checkups are crucial for maintaining good oral health. Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of tooth decay, as well as catch and treat oral health problems early. During an oral exam, your dentist can also check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing.

If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next adjustment visit and we will provide a few great references in the Fresno, CA area!

Parent’s Point of View 

Attachments and Security 

This was our third appointment. At this appointment, I received four more sets of our Invisalign. Every week we will switch to a new set. The shift and movement has been gradual, and this is fascinating. My first set fit like a glove and I wore them with no one noticing. The next step…the attachments.  

Recommendation: Before starting the orthodontic process, whether you will be wearing braces, Invisalign, or a retainer, be sure you are up to date with general dentistry. A recent x-ray is necessary to be certain there are no cavities or gum issues and a teeth cleaning will ensure a clean surface when attachments are applied.  

Attachments to my teeth was a new experience; and it was impressive. There was a map with specific teeth designated for application of the attachments. The science of the movement was interesting and educational. After the attachments were securely fastened, Dr. Kubo slipped the new set of Invisalign on my teeth. This set was tighter than the first, but after a few hours, I forgot I was wearing them. When talking, I had to enunciate more clearly and succinctly but over time, it got easier. Taking the trays out to eat, brush and floss became routine. 

Each week as we moved to the next set, I felt the tightness; the gradual movement and the science behind the process has been interesting. When I flossed, the tightness between my teeth was evolving. We know the spaces between our teeth and mine were shifting ever so slightly. I definitely would not want the shift to happen without guidance of an educated professional. It’s a secure feeling to be monitored by someone with decades of experience.  

There are many options for orthodontic care; as parents, we read and research what is best for our child. We want the finest teacher, the best coach, the best school etc. When we started this process I did not know what to expect, but after the first four weeks of a yearlong process, I am confident that my child and I are in the finest care. This is what all parents hope for when making decisions for their children and for themselves. Experience, trust and security is essential when it comes to our health. When you have it, you definitely know it.  

Liao Company is a Central Valley Company which offers content marketing for organizations, businesses, and corporations. www.liaocompany.com liaocompany@gmail.com 

Teenager’s Point of View 

Worth It 

Going into this appointment, I was excited and nervous. I knew that this appointment would be the one where they put the invisible brackets on my teeth. I was scared it was going to hurt to put them on. I was also nervous about how it was going to look after.  

We walked inside and I signed in. I liked that part about signing in; I feel like I’m doing something myself. We wait for our name to be called and we head back to where we were last time. We sat in these little comfortable seats in the back and watched other people get their teeth done. I mean I had no idea what they were getting done to their teeth; whether it was the start of something new or the end of something great.  

They were suddenly ready for me, and this nice lady had me sit in the seat and take out my old retainers. She had me lay down and she worked on my teeth. This part was just to whiten them before they started the actual work.  

When Dr. Kubo came he explained what he was going to be doing to me. He explained how it would feel and that it would be tighter then before, but not to worry. I was of course interested and curious about what it felt like.  

Dr. Kubo had me lay back down and put this mouth thing inside my mouth. It was to make sure the lips didn’t get in the way of the process. It was one of those mouth things from a game I know about. It made me laugh. He said it wasn’t even their biggest size which made me laugh even more.  

They started working on my mouth and honestly, it didn’t hurt in the slightest. If I’m completely honest, it went a lot faster than I expected. After I was done they put the retainer in and then carefully took it out. It was to make sure the retainers could be taken in and out.  

Dr. Kubo was right, it was different, tighter, but it didn’t bother me. I expected that going into it. I looked at my smile in the mirror and was excited that my teeth were moving at that very point. I thanked him and the lady and they gave me my other retainers for the next four weeks. I was going to come back in for them to put more brackets in my mouth.  

After that appointment, my teeth felt pretty good when I went back to school. Although I admit, it was difficult to take the retainer out because the brackets were rough. Dr. Kubo told me to expect this and I wasn’t scared or nervous about it.  

The next day my teeth were very sore and it hurt to eat some things. I had to be careful about the things I ate. My teeth were just sensitive. After about two to three days, my teeth felt better and I started to get used to the new retainers and brackets. I know that when I change them again they will be sore all over again, but it’s worth it knowing that the end result is what I want.