Blog

Dear Parkside Orthodontics Practice Families,

Exciting news is in the air at Parkside Orthodontics!

I am delighted to introduce our newest addition to the team, Dr. Elizabeth Burgstahler, DMD.

I have known Dr. Burgstahler for many years, and I am honored that she has joined the practice. I know you will be equally impressed with her expertise and passion for orthodontics, as well as her warm and caring nature.

One of the key aspects that make us stand out is our collaborative approach to patient care.

Dr. Burgstahler and I will be collaborating on patient care. On most clinic days, both of us will be present in the office delivering care and treatment planning together. This approach will enhance treatment efficiency and allow our practice to offer additional appointments to improve flexibility with scheduling. If one of us is away, the other will provide clinic hours, which will also increase appointment availability.

I understand that this change to the practice might raise questions, and I want to assure you that your care with me and at Parkside will not be changed. Dr. Burgstahler is here to enhance the treatment you are accustomed to.

I am confident that the addition of Dr. Burgstahler to our practice will further strengthen our commitment to excellence and elevate the overall patient experience.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Burgstahler to the Parkside Orthodontics family.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rebecca Kuperstein

Read More

INVISALIGN RECYCLING PROGRAM

How to Properly Dispose of Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign® can do wonders for your teeth.  It can straighten them and help you achieve the kind of healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted and if you’ve been worried about plastic waste, worry no more!

Many patients ask us what they should do with their used Invisalign aligners once they are done wearing them.  Here at Parkside Orthodontics, we are proud to be partnering with Invisalign and TerraCycle™ to offer our used aligner drop-off & recycling program for our patients in the Portland Metro area.

We love aligners and, like you, we don’t want them to end up in a landfill.  Parkside Orthodontics patients, please bring your used plastic aligners and aligner bags to us for proper disposal!

Once collected, your trays are sent to TerraCycle.  Your Invisalign® aligners and plastic aligner bags will be sanitized, melted, and reformatted into hard plastic.  The raw material will then make its way to a manufacturing company.

Wondering if Invisalign treatment is right for you?

Call us at 503-236-3800 to schedule your complimentary consultation. Dr. Kuperstein & our team of highly trained Portland, Oregon orthodontic professionals are eager to answer any of your questions about Invisalign and our used aligner recycling program.

 

 

Read More

With mail-order aligners, there is no guarantee that your aligners will be designed by an orthodontist.  

Mail order aligners are typically designed using a computer algorithm that is then approved by a dental professional who may not be an orthodontist, or who may not be experienced using clear aligners for patient treatment.  Many of these companies hire an outside dentist to simply “click and approve” without carefully analyzing your X-rays or taking into consideration the severity of your case. In many cases, these quickly approved aligners may cause more harm than good and that’s why there’s been an avalanche of lawsuits and dental board complaints against these mail-order companies.  None of the aligner companies require you to submit the most important orthodontic x-ray: a cephalometric x-ray.  This x-ray is critical for an orthodontist to plan how your teeth should move. Without this information, your teeth could be moved into an unhealthy or unstable position.

Mail order aligners do not consider whether you are healthy or have gum disease or cavities. 

Their order process requires you to check a box that states you have seen a dentist within the last 6 months in order to continue through to ordering. Many who order DIY aligners haven’t seen a dentist and just click the box to get their order going, not understanding that if you move teeth when the foundation, meaning the underlying bone support and gum tissues, in not healthy, contributing to higher risk of bone loss and gum recession which can lead to actual tooth loss.  Having Invisalign treatment with an orthodontist will ensure that your teeth and jaws are healthy enough to go through treatment.  If not, they’ll be able to help you get the care you need so your teeth can be safely moved without long-term consequences.

Invisalign treatment can resolve a broader range of cases, as well as more serious cases, than mail-order aligners.

With mail-order aligners, you won’t have the benefit of being able to use “attachments” with your treatment.  Attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps that are temporarily placed on the teeth to ensure predictable movement by the aligner. Some patients have teeth that require additional force outside of the force applied by the aligners in order to correctly move them. This can be achieved in an orthodontic setting by placing attachments on the teeth. These serve as anchors for your aligners, allowing them to fit more snugly to move teeth more efficiently. These attachments can help rotate teeth if necessary and can also assist with intrusion or extrusion. After the treatment is completed, we simply just polish them off.  Without attachments, usually aligners can only push outwards.  This can be unesthetic and unhealthy for your teeth.

With mail-order aligners, you may not know whether your aligners are fitting properly.

If you’ve never worn aligners before and/or are not an orthodontic professional, how will you know if your aligners are fitting properly?  In mail-order cases, there’s nobody overseeing your progress to verify that things are progressing the way they should.  Virtual checkups only provide a small area for viewing, and many fit issues are of the back teeth. Ill-fitting aligners can not only be painful, they may cause damage that you may not even be aware of, such as gum recession, bone loss, pushing the roots of your teeth out of the bone, etc.  An orthodontist will know how to help and can evaluate the fit of your Invisalign aligners to ensure proper fit and maximum efficacy.

With mail-order aligners, your teeth may not move as expected.

In Invisalign treatment, we refer to this as “tracking” – if your teeth are not following the movements built into your aligners, you can’t achieve the desired movements to reach your smile goals.  Issues with tracking can be caused by several factors.  Poor design, such as aligners designed to move teeth too quickly or in the wrong sequence, the lack of attachments, or lack of patient compliance are the most common factors.  When having Invisalign with an orthodontist, you’ll have regular in-person visits to ensure your treatment is progressing as it should.  With this regular orthodontic supervision, you will be proceeding under the assumption that everything is going as it should when in fact, it may not be.  This could damage your bite and smile and you may end up wasting months of time while also delaying positive movements.

The advantages of having Invisalign with an orthodontist are invaluable. 

You’ll have peace of mind knowing your mouth is healthy enough to pursue treatment, your aligners fit properly, and that your treatment is progressing properly with the necessary attachments and/or rubber bands to ensure the end result is a beautifully straight smile and a healthy, properly functioning bite.  You will be able to talk directly with your orthodontist and you will know that an orthodontist is providing your treatment – this helps to ensure that you will have an amazing final result you can be proud of.

 

How Do I Learn More About Invisalign Provided by a Board-Certified Orthodontist? 

Call Parkside Orthodontics, the office of Dr. Rebecca Kuperstein, today at 503-236-3800 to schedule your complimentary consultation.  Dr. Kuperstein is a leading provider of Invisalign clear aligner treatment in Portland, Oregon.  She has been certified since 2002.

 

For more information about Invisalign products, please view the following:

MSDS – SmartTrack Aligner Material

MSDS – Vivera, Retainer, & Invisalign Attachment Template Material

Read More

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, approximately 25% of all patients currently undergoing orthodontic treatment are adults. There are many reasons why you may be considering having orthodontic treatment for the very first time in your adult years, or even for a second time if you wore braces as an adolescent, but have seen your teeth change since then.  Previously straight teeth can shift later in life, creating pain, difficulty brushing, and a smile you’re not 100% happy with.

Adult orthodontic treatment can help correct the crowded or crooked teeth and/or excess spaces you’ve been self-conscious about for years.  It can correct bite issues that may be contributing to chewing difficulty, jaw pain, enamel wear, and/or problems with your gum tissue and bone support.

At Parkside Orthodontics, the premier location for Portland area braces, we offer the most modern, comfortable orthodontic treatment just a phone call away.  We move teeth, but we treat people, so you’re the most important part of the process.  Helping you achieve your smile goals in the least visible, most efficient, and comfortable manner is our top priority.  Say goodbye to thoughts of painful headgear, gigantic metal braces, and overly tight stainless-steel wires.  We love to make you smile so we offer the most aesthetic options and utilize only the most advanced technology, such as ceramic braces and Invisalign clear aligners.  The Clarity Advanced™ Ceramic braces we use are small, translucent, stain-resistant brackets designed to blend in with your natural tooth color and their smooth, rounded corners improve comfort by reducing rubbing. Invisalign® is a state-of-the-art alternative to braces that is virtually undetectable to other people.  A series of clear, removable aligners are used to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.  The aligners are made with 3-D computer imaging technology, based on Dr. Kuperstein’s expertise.

It’s never too late to have the confident smile and comfortable, healthy bite you’ve always wanted.  Check out these other ways you can benefit from orthodontic treatment as an adult.

Improving Overall Health

You likely already know that your oral health is strongly connected to your overall health. Braces or Invisalign are instrumental in correcting misaligned teeth and other dental issues that can contribute to common health problems like headaches, jaw pain, and digestion issues.   And since they require a little extra cleaning and care, your mouth will be getting better overall attention and maintenance.  Having straight teeth makes cleaning much easier and there will be less space for plaque and bacteria to build up, reducing your chances of developing cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease.

Boosting Aesthetics and Confidence

Your teeth play a significant role in your smile. A crooked smile or misaligned bite can leave you feeling less confident when you speak or smile.  Shying away from personal conversations and avoiding being photographed, or only flashing that not-so-thrilled, lips closed grin when you can’t escape the camera can all be remedied.

Here at Parkside Orthodontics, we believe that helping people feel good about themselves is the essence of good health.  Orthodontics is more than just straightening teeth.  It builds self-esteem and self-confidence and will nurture this kind of good health.

Broader Range of Treatment Options

Technology in orthodontics is always improving.  To make reaching your new smile goals fast and affordable, you can get the latest technology and most advanced treatment at Parkside Orthodontics.  Depending on the severity of the adjustments your teeth need, your options may include traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign.

Preventative for Cost-Efficiency

There’s never been a better time to consider orthodontic treatment.  When combined with proper dental hygiene, orthodontic treatment can decrease your chances of cavities, gum disease, and costly procedures like crowns, root canals, and tooth extractions.  Specific orthodontic issues such as misaligned bites can contribute to enamel wear and lead to chipping, cracking, and even tooth loss, all of which cost you more in the long run.

Orthodontic treatment is one of the best investments you can make in your appearance, health, and confidence!  At Parkside Orthodontics we believe financial considerations should not be an obstacle to achieving the healthy smile you deserve.  We are sensitive to the fact that different people have different financial needs and we take these into account when arranging a payment schedule. We offer flexible, in-office, interest-free payment plans and make every effort to ensure your treatment fits within your budget. We also offer a discount if you pay in full at the start of your treatment.

Pros & Cons

There are pros and cons to each of the various orthodontic treatment options and we know you have your own unique set of needs with your unique smile, regardless of your age.  Whether it’s keeping your journey more inconspicuous, prioritizing comfort over aesthetics, or the desire for whichever option gets you to your new smile in the speediest timeframe, our goal is your complete satisfaction.

 

If you still have questions about getting braces as an adult or are ready to get started on your Portland braces journey and live in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, please give our office a call to schedule your FREE consultation.  Our happy and highly-trained orthodontic team would love to meet you and help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Read More

Invisalign aligners were the first of their kind to hit the market over 20 years ago. In that time, they’ve continuously led the field in innovative, nearly invisible orthodontic care. Recently, new brands have cropped up offering direct-to-consumer clear aligners, which are mailed to the customer at home and do not require them to see a licensed orthodontist in-office.

Clear aligner therapy is gaining in popularity as an orthodontic treatment option.  Who doesn’t love the idea of orthodontic treatment that is clear, comfortable, and removable?  But, before moving forward with aligner therapy, just as with any other healthcare decision, it’s important to do proper research.

In today’s world almost anything we want is available at our fingertips and tooth movement with clear aligners is no exception.  Mail-order aligners are advertised everywhere today and it’s likely you’ve seen ads from at least a few companies while perusing social media, surfing the web, or streaming your favorite show.  However, it’s important to note that mail order aligners are quite different from Invisalign treatment you would receive from a trained, board-certified orthodontist.

Continue reading to find out how.

Are Mail-Order Aligner Brands Cheaper than Invisalign? 

Actually, no.  Mail-order aligner brands offer 6-month clear aligner treatment for around $2,000-3000 but, there’s a catch: this price does not include some of the key aspects of treatment such as the cost of X-rays, diagnostic records, additional aligners for refinement or more complex cases, attachments for aligner grip to ensure predictable movements, or final retainers – not to mention direct in-office supervision by a licensed orthodontist.  Since only mild cases can possibly be completed in 6 months, additional aligners (refinement) may be needed to achieve your smile goals, and these would require an additional fee to be paid separately or risk finishing treatment without achieving optimal results.

Some Invisalign providers offer a mild-to-moderate “Express” case treatment option for around $3,000, which includes all aligners, X-rays, diagnostic records, attachments, and final retainers. The add-on costs required for effective treatment with mail-order aligners mean you may end up paying much more than the original price tag.

Lower prices also mean lower quality materials.  Mail-order aligner brands do not have access to patented Invisalign technology like SmartTrack™ material, so they use generic plastic for their clear aligners.   They boast that their aligners are made with BPA-free plastic, despite the fact that all brands of FDA-approved clear aligners are BPA-free.

Insurance options are limited for mail-order aligners – a small reimbursement, if any – whereas in-office Invisalign treatment is more likely to be covered up front, and a larger portion covered since you see a licensed orthodontist during your visits.  This can make a substantial difference in your out-of-pocket cost of the Invisalign treatment.

In summary, mail-order aligner brands are not always cheaper than Invisalign treatment – with all the extra costs necessary for effective treatment, less insurance coverage, and lower quality materials and lack of proper supervision of your treatment, the true difference in value becomes clear: you would be paying more, for less.

You will get more total value from in-office, orthodontist-supervised Invisalign treatment than from mail-order aligners, due to both the comprehensive care of Invisalign aligners and the pace of mind gained from seeing and speaking with your orthodontist during visits. 

 How Do I Learn More About Invisalign Provided by a Board-Certified Orthodontist? 

Call Parkside Orthodontics, the office of Dr. Rebecca Kuperstein, today at 503-236-3800 to schedule your complimentary consultation.  Dr. Kuperstein is a leading provider of Invisalign clear aligner treatment in Portland, Oregon.  She has been certified since 2002.

Read More