Ask Dr. Van Vliet: Can Invisalign help me?

Have you ever wondered how Invisalign treatment at Van Vliet Orthodontics manages to straighten teeth without using braces at all? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our convenient offices in Ramsey, New Jersey and Highland, New York. You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Van Vliet has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Van Vliet about once every 8 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-18 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 36, but both will vary from case to case.

Give our office a call to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Dr. Van Vliet is a Certified Invisalign Premier Provider in the greater New York City area.

Dr. Van Vliet at the 4th International Congress on 3-D Dental Imaging

Next weekend, Dr. Van Vliet will be attending the 4th International Congress on 3-D Dental Imaging in La Jolla, California.

The annual meeting is designed to educate dentists and orthodontists from all over the world on how to optimize treatment through 3-D imaging, which we use at our convenient Highland, New York and Ramsey, New Jersey locations.

Recognized as a leading provider of SureSmile and Invisalign appliances, Dr. Van Vliet has lectured on these topics nationally. He has integrated these state-of-the-art treatment modalities along with the most advanced 3D I-Cat imaging into his private practice to maximize treatment results and patient satisfaction.

Isn't it nice to know you have a complete dental expert in Dr. Van Vliet taking care of your perfecting your smile?

Van Vliet Orthodontics, supporting National Smile Month!

Last week, we told you June is National Dairy Month, but did you know June is also National Smile Month? Now that we’re well into June, our team at Van Vliet Orthodontics thought this would be a great time to remind our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits with Dr. Van Vliet. After all, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, according to our friends at the American Dental Association.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health at home:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart) in addition to visiting Dr. Van Vliet.

Hope that helps! We hope you enjoy National Smile Month for many, many years to come!

Talkin' dairy and gum disease with Dr. Van Vliet

As the days get longer and the temperatures begin to climb, there’s nothing more refreshing than getting some ice cream, a milk shake or a glass of cold milk to cool off. June is National Dairy Month and a great time for Dr. Van Vliet and our staff to remind you that dairy foods should be a part of your overall diet.

After all, a 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis. Dr. Van Vliet will tell you eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth.

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call at Van Vliet Orthodontics. Enjoy the weekend everyone!