Orthodontic therapy options for adults and teenagers by general dentists and orthodontists is changing.  Increasingly, progressive patients and dentists are choosing sequenced removable plastic appliances, such as Invisalign orthodontics, instead of traditional metal braces and wires.

A dentist in the Union Square Park and Greenwich Village areas of New York City, Dr. Elliot Davis, is witnessing the transition to this sophisticated form of orthodontic care.  The number of Dr. Davis’ wireless and bracket-free orthodontic patients (i.e., Invisalign) is increasing every year in his Manhattan and Bronx NYC dental offices.  During a question and answer session, we learned more about his experiences and insights.

Prior to Invisalign orthodontic therapy

After eight months of excellent clear braces orthodontic therapy with Invisalign

This patient was told by a top NYC orthodontist that she could not have Invisalign treatment.  Her orthodontic treatment was completed exclusively with Invisalign by Dr. Elliot Davis - No metal braces were used to achieve these top natural orthodontic and teeth whitening results.

Q.  How did you get started with Invisalign?

Dr. Davis:  Corrective and minor tooth movement has played a significant role in my New York (Manhattan) dental practice for more than two decades.  Since patients prefer removable appliances over heavy bracket and wire orthodontic therapy, I offer this option whenever feasible.  Once I started providing progressive plastic removable orthodontic therapy with Invisalign (and Ortho Clear, Spring Aligners, among others) the patient response was as you would expect, quite positive.  A number of my patients I’ve successfully treated with exclusively with Invisalign have been told they were not good candidates for Invisalign treatment by other orthodontists and dentists.

Q.  Why is keeping the Invisalign (or Clear Correct, Ortho Snap, Smart Moves, Simpli 5 or Red, White and Blue) orthodontic aligners clean so important?

Dr. Davis:   That’s a good question.  Aligners need to be kept clean so teeth will move teeth in the manner they were programmed to move.  Dirty aligners fit less precisely.  That could lead to treatment delays, unsuccessful treatment, and/or bad breath; none of which are desirable.   With each aligner dependent on the complete repositioning of the prior aligner, minor errors can compound into major problems.

Q.  How long do you wear an aligner?

Dr. Davis:  For the best results with the most popular system, Invisalign, aligners are worn for 20-22 hours daily for two weeks prior to changing to the next aligner or retainer.  On occasion, or for some other systems (i.e., Clear Correct or Smart Moves), plastic aligners are worn for three to four weeks.

Q.  What oral hygiene regimen do you recommend when undergoing invisible orthodontic aligner therapy?

Dr. Davis:  Proper flossing of your teeth and brushing your teeth and aligners prior to inserting the aligners will keep your teeth, gums and aligners clean.  Patients in orthodontic therapy should consider having their teeth cleaned by their dentist or hygienist more often, possibly every three months.

An aligner in desperate need of cleaning

Best results from a thorough Invisalign Aligner Cleaning

Q. What is the best method to clean plastic aligners?

Dr. Davis:  There is no one “ideal” cleaning method.  Let me repeat, it’s best to keep your teeth and gums clean.  You also need to be careful not to damage the plastic aligner by using a chemical that’s too strong or water that’s too hot, which will distort the shape of the aligner and render it unusable.   Be careful avoid harsh cleansers and those with dyes that can stain, making the aligners less invisible.  Let me pass on popular methods that patients in my Manhattan (New York) dental office have found successful.

Suggested Method #1:

Dip the head of the toothbrush into a bottle of hydrogen peroxide for 1-2 seconds.  Remove the brush and shake off the excess liquid.  Place toothpaste on the toothbrush (more toothpaste than you would use for your teeth) and brush the inside and outside of the aligners for 30 (or more) seconds per side per aligner.  Rinse thoroughly and leave slightly wet prior to putting the aligners back on your teeth.

Invisalign Cleaning Method #2

Suggested Method #2: If it does not come clean to your satisfaction, repeat method #1 and add a pinch of Kosher salt or sea salt (as a mild abrasive) to the toothpaste prior to brushing the aligner or retainer.  Rinse very well prior  to reinserting the aligners.

Tablet retainer cleaner

Invisalign Cleaning Method #3

Suggested Method #3:

Soak both aligners in warm water (110^o F, 43^o C) with a half (hand break a whole) of a dissolvable tablet intended to clean dentures or retainers.  Make sure each aligner is covered by the solution.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how long to keep soaking, usually 3 – 5 minutes is sufficient.

Tablet starting to dissolve

Almost completely dissolved

Q.  Some aligners get nasty prior to it being changed.  Do you have any recommendations for those situations?

Dr. Davis:  The only time I recommend that someone use a strong solution to clean their aligner is when they have been worn for more than a month, have had a cold, or the flu, etc.  Only then would I recommend the following aligner cleaning process.

Suggested Method #4:

WARNING:  You MUST follow ALL off the steps listed below.  Do NOT modify the ratio of water to bleach.  Serious and irreversible damage to the aligner are occur.

Fill a one liter bottle with 32 ounces (965ml) of water and one ounce (35ml) of bleach.  Close the cap securely.  Shake the bottle vigorously for 5 seconds.  You are making a 3% bleach solution.

Soak the aligners in the solution for 4-5 minutes.  Properly dispose of the 3% bleach solution.   Brush the aligners with toothpaste.  Rinse and soak the aligners with cold water for 2-3 minutes prior to wearing.   If the aligners have a slight bleach taste, remove and rinse with mouthwash and water.  If necessary, repeat the rinsing step.

WARNING:  DO NOT INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE BLEACH SOLUTION.

For additional information, review the Union Square Park (Greenwich Village) New York Dentist office’s website: www.TheManhattanDentist.com, or email TheManhattanDentist@gmail.com, or call (212) 645.9255.  The office is located at 80 Fifth Avenue, suite #1607, New York, NY  10011.

When hearing the term “Medical Tourism”, one thinks of people traveling, usually to another country, to have medical or dental surgery or cosmetic procedures performed.  If the current trend continues, more than one million Americans will travel each year for some of their healthcare needs.  

That’s why it’s interesting to learn that there is a dentist in the Union Square Park area of New York City, Dr. Elliot Davis, who is benefiting from medical tourism, or more accurately, dental tourism.  During a question and answer session, we learned more about his experiences over the past few years.  

Q.  What types of treatments do you perform on international patients? 
Dr. Davis:  Most of the patients want some form of teeth whitening. While Instant In-Office Teeth Whitening which provides immediate gratification is the most popular, we fulfill a number of requests for At-Home Whitening and individual teeth whitening which usually require custom-fitted trays and tooth whitening solutions.  We utilize techniques and have access to materials that may not be available in their home nation.  

Q.  Is there one nation which provides most of these patients?
Dr. Davis:   While England, Ireland and Denmark have been the most popular, we have seen patients from more than one dozen nations, including Germany, Hungary, Scotland, Ghana, Canada, Norway and France.  Certain patient forms have been customized for our international clientele.  We’ve also see vacationers from Florida, California, Minnesota and Texas.  

Prior to Professional Teeth Whitening by a New York Dentist 

After One of the Best Teeth Whitening Dental Treatments by a Dentist in New York

Q.  How many patients have you seen from outside the United States? 
Dr. Davis:  We have seen dozens over the past few years, including multiple highly satisfied clients who have returned for additional teeth whitening sessions.  When the dollar is weak and the Euro is strong, we notice an increase in tourism activity, including those who come for long weekends.

Q. In addition to teeth whitening, what other dental services do you provide to tourists?
Dr. Davis:  We offer a broad range of general dentistry (gum treatment, crowns, fillings, bonding, root canal, cleanings) and emergency dental services in one visit.  The number of inquiries regarding dental implants, especially “dental implants in a day”, and invisible braces therapy, such as Invisalign orthodontic care, is increasing, too.  These procedures require a patient to return to the office for one or more visits, so, they are better suited for business travelers or true dentistry tourists.

Q.  How do patients hear about “The Manhattan Dentist?”
Dr. Davis:  It’s a blend of the old, word of mouth, and the new, the internet.  When people look up what to do in New York, we have been fortunate to have been recommended on some travel sites as the best dental office and best dentist in New York for teeth whitening.

Q. How did you get started with Dental Tourism?
Dr. Davis:  I wish I could say it was planned, but, it was not.  I wanted people to know that my dental office is located where the Union Square Park area meets the Flatiron, Greenwich Village, Chelsea and the East Village neighborhoods.  A peripheral benefit of my website revision was that it became increasingly visible when people searched the internet for a teeth whitening dentist in New York, a cosmetic dentist in New York and the best dentist in New York City.  Tourists started seeking my office while on holiday in New York.

Q.  How do most of the patients contact you?
Dr. Davis:  Most international clients prefer making all the arrangements via email.  Others will call or email our office to request that we phone them to make final arrangements.

Q.  What are the limitations with treating tourists?
Dr. Davis:  Time is the main constraint.  It is not unusual for a tourist who is planning to spend a week in New York to have small portions of only one or two days available for their teeth whitening (or other dental treatment).   Fortunately, my patient relations administrator is highly adept at properly accommodating patients with limited time.  These patients are wonderful.  Our mutual enthusiasm for each other is infectious.

For additional information, review the Union Square Park New York Dentist office’s website: www.TheManhattanDentist.com, or email TheManhattanDentist@gmail.com, or call (212) 645.9255.  The office is located at 80 Fifth Avenue, suite #1607, New York, NY  10011.