Dr. Tieken and team, wishing you a pleasant, safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

The unofficial kickoff to summer—Memorial Day weekend—is two days away, and that means it's a time for Americans to remember all those who bravely fought and gave their lives for our country over the years.

For many folks here in League City, Kemah and surrounding communities, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or office is sweet relief. At the office of Dr. Derek Tieken, we know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, Memorial Day means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is on the way.

What about you? What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? Whether you're headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just hitting the great open roads of Texas, Dr. Tieken and our entire team would like to hear all about it!

We hope you have a safe and relaxing weekend!

Burning Invisalign® questions with Dr. Tieken

We've discussed our Invisalign treatment in the past, today thought we'd answer some questions about Invisalign, the clear aligners that so many patients choose for their teeth-straightening treatment. Feel free to post your own question and we'll try to have an answer for you!

How exactly, Dr. Tieken, does Invisalign treatment work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience any pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear - you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing!

Are there any foods I shouldn't eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about bubble gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How do I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit Dr. Tieken during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Tieken will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan. Please give us a call at (832) 769-4824 for more info on Invisalign!

Write a Review of Dr. Tieken and team!

Your smile says so much about you, but if you are not satisfied with the appearance of your smile, it may not be saying anything at all. At the dental practice of Dr. Derek Tieken, we want to help you achieve a beautiful, confident, aesthetic smile that says it all!

Dr. Tieken and our team use the latest technology in our state-of-the-art dental facility to deliver the most advanced and accurate cosmetic treatments available. For over 20 years, our practice has offered cosmetic veneers, and today our offerings have grown to include Invisalign® invisible braces, advanced teeth whitening, and full smile makeovers.

Whether you've visited J. Derek Tieken DDS, for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how we're doing! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there.

After all, reviews help Dr. Tieken and our team create more beautiful smiles for patients in League City, Houston, Seabrook, Webster, Kemah and surrounding communities.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week!

Oral cancer screening with VELscope® at J. Derek Tieken DDS

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality dental care, the office of J. Derek Tieken is proud to include the VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening System as an integral part of our comprehensive oral cancer screening program. Every hour of every day in the United States someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth most common diagnosed form of the disease. The 5-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved.

But there's a revolutionary device that provides Dr. Tieken with an easy-to-use oral examination system for the early detection of abnormal soft tissue. Clinical studies have determined that using VELscope after the standard oral cancer examination improves the dentist's ability to identify, evaluate and monitor suspicious areas at their earliest stages. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life.

So, how does it work? VELscope emits a safe blue light into your mouth, which causes the tissue to appear different colours through the viewfinder. This allows Dr. Tieken to tell the difference between normal and abnormal tissue. Best of all, the procedure is quick, painless and potentially life-saving. Ask Dr. Tieken about a screening at your next appointment!

Happy Monday!