As an “elder Millennial” I lived in the days when braces ruled supreme. Over the years, however, the days of wires and bands have shifted (much like the teeth they’re trying to straighten) into new territory. Namely, clear aligners.
I never thought I’d see the day when I needed them for my own smile, yet… here we are!
Make sure you follow along on my journey as an adult getting clear aligners. There’s a thing or two about the process that you might find helpful if you’re considering getting them too! Hopefully, if you decide on aligners as well, this helps make it a little less scary for you.
Aligners from Afar
I’ve chosen to get aligners from Orthodontics by Crutchfield, and let me tell you, Dr. Crutchfield is the guy I trust. Not only are they up-to-date with the latest tech, but the care and attention in this office are amazing. They use OBC Clear, which is basically a 3D printed version of Invisalign – but better.
The key advantage to this, though? When you go in-office, you can get your aligners the same day. No wait at all like other aligners! (They’re also super helpful if you need to replace one due to losing it in a napkin or damaging it due to a feisty fido)
Due to the fact that I live in Texas, throughout this process, we’ve been communicating and working through DentalMonitoring. To curb any confusion, this isn’t like regular “monitoring” but an innovative new tool. Let me tell you a little bit more about this awesome tech. (Trust me, it’s changing the game!)
DentalMonitoring 101
“Remote” seems to be the buzzword for the past few years, and truth be told, these at-home options really can be a godsend. DentalMonitoring is one of those innovations that you can do completely on your own, anywhere, and I love that Orthodontics by Crutchfield utilizes this tool.
It’s software that shows your progress and gives updates and check-ins with your orthodontist on your aligner journey. This is truly the future, and I’m here for it. It’s made my process alone so much easier and streamlined, and unlike the days of braces, you’re not constantly going in-office for these check-ups.
How It Works
With the app, you’re able to send photos and messages to your orthodontist virtually any time. So, let’s say you have a question or concern. You just send over a picture, type up your question, and soon you’ll have an answer from your doctor. Nifty, right? It even offers a time-lapse option in the app if you’re interested in seeing your progress over time.
Since you’re not going in person, this is a win on many levels. It saves you time, energy, and even money. When I lived in Northern Virginia, traffic was always a headache. I could have used this tool back then too to cut down on commuting. I’ve been loving this feature so far! I’m able to connect quickly with my orthodontic team and actually see a closeup of my progress on my own time.
So far, this experience has been one for the books. Or should I say “one for the blogs?” Part of this series is to quell my own fears through the process, and hopefully ease yours as well if you’re ready to dive into the aligner journey for yourself.
If you’re located in the Chantilly, VA area, be sure to check out Orthodontics by Crutchfield. And stay tuned for the next part of this blog series!