Dreaming of a dazzling smile? We can help!

The fact is, most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And that’s where Dr. Tieken and our team can help. Of course, orthodontic treatment help make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But did you know you can get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces?

Dr. Tieken and team are proud to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at Tieken Smiles getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up! A consultation with Dr. Tieken can determine if Invisalign is right for you. See you soon!

This summer, smile with Invisalign Teen!

There’s good news for teenage smiles at Tieken Smiles! We are proud to offer Invisalign Teen, a popular choice for straightening teeth without traditional wires and brackets.

Much like Invisalign for adults, Invisalign Teen is an alternative to metallic braces and is undetectable when worn. Invisalign moves teeth at a pace that is faster than traditional braces and are:

-Clear
-Removable
-Super comfortable
-Customized just for you

Invisalign aligners are really comfortable and very durable. They fit in with any of your extracurricular activities. So whether you're swimming the 50 meter race, out on the field throwing the football, or playing the clarinet with the school's band, you don't have to worry about your braces getting in the way!

Drs. Tieken and Cimino proudly offer free consultations for Invisalign Teen! We look forward to working with you and your family and sharing in your exciting transformation!

Invisalign patient testimonial [Video]

Dr. Tieken and team came across this video late last week, and realized that it’s just what folks considering Invisalign might be interested in watching. Invisalign sure gets a ton of promotion online (including here on our blog), but people rarely get the see a clear cut, unbiased, point of view from someone who actually has chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign.

At Tieken Smiles, we get quite a lot of requests for Invisalign, and always let our patients know about the stages of Invisalign, as well as how one might first react to it. But, to hear it from someone actually wearing these clear aligners is really something else!

Check out this video of a patient who has been wearing her aligners for only 10 minutes! Because they’re clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you! Please give us a call to set up an appointment with Dr. Tieken, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

We hope you had a wonderful Presidents’ Day weekend!

Invisalign event at Tieken Smiles

Now through December 20th, share your experience with us on Facebook to receive $500 off your Invisalign treatment and a chance to win an iPad! We will have a drawing on December 20th!

Happy Holidays from Dr. Derek Tieken and our entire team!

Thanks to Invisalign's clear aligners, parents can have perfect teeth, too!

Hey, moms and dads! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking about having your own set of perfect teeth, Dr. Derek Tieken and our staff can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and the best part? No one will know it but you!

Please give us a call at (832) 769-4824 to schedule an appointment, so we can discuss the specifics of Invisalign treatment with you. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!

Invisalign and your oral health

When considering treatment options, patients often ask Dr. Derek Tieken how Invisalign treatment is so different than getting braces at an orthodontist's office. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign than you may know. Invisalign, which is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, manages to straighten your teeth just as effectively as traditional braces ... and improves your oral health. Here’s how Invisalign can help improve your health, while shaping your healthy, beautiful smile:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Tieken the next time you’re in for a visit. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page or give us a call at (832) 769-4824!

Happy Thursday!

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!

Helpful Invisalign® tips from Dr. Tieken

The team at Tieken Smiles has blogged about the advantage of Invisalign treatment in the past, and today thought we'd share a few helpful Invisalign tips.

When wearing your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Tieken wants you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.

2. Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.

3. Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits. If you have any questions about Invisalign or your treatment at our office, please feel free to give us a call!

Also, a quick reminder: we will be having another Invisalign Special Event in November. Dr. Tieken will be providing Invisalign treatment consultations to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment, the clear way to straighten teeth.