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Stickables, The Newest Accessory to Your Child’s Smile

Posted on by Humble Kids Dentistry

Stickables, The Newest Accessory to Your Child’s Smile

If you’re a parent of a 6-9 year old, you’re going to want to know about Stickables. They’re the newest release by Invisalign – the leading manufacturer of clear orthodontic aligners – and your kiddo is going to be interested. 

 

While many parents come to our practice with teens, we (and the American Association of Orthodontics) actually advocate having your child seen by age 7. Why? At this early age, a trained orthodontic eye can spot development and, in certain cases, begin treatment that will ease and shorten your child’s overall need for orthodontic work. 

 

But, getting back to the point: What are Stickables??? Stickables are fun stickers that are specifically designed to decorate your child’s Invisalign aligners. They’re non-toxic, totally safe, and super fun! Below are some of the reasons at Humble Kids Dentistry we love them too: 

 

  • Our youngest patients can have fun customizing their aligners to show off their treatment and new smile

 

  • Stickables give kids a sense of control and autonomy in their treatment

 

  • They allow you, the parent, to embrace your kid’s unique style – strengthening your relationship during the difficult tween years and increasing their self-confidence.

 

  • Less commitment – more style. 
    • Remember the fun of picking your bracket colors for Halloween only to wish they were something new come November? Stickables can swap out with each aligner – 2 weeks tops! 
    • And, unlike colored bands on brackets, your child can swap out their designs on their own, as often as they’d like! 

 

  • Harder to lose – not quite invisible means these aligners are less likely to get tossed in a napkin at the lunch table and subsequently trashed.
    •  Translation for grown-ups: less money spent on replacement aligners

 

  • Bottom line: Invisalign stickables makes wearing aligners fun!

 

At Humble Kids Dentistry, we are always working to create a fun environment where we build real relationships with our patients and their families. Your child’s self confidence along with a healthy smile are of utmost importance – it’s one of the reasons we love Stickables. 

 

If your child is approaching their 7th birthday (or if it’s already passed) and their smile is begging for some stickables style – contact our practice. We offer complimentary consultations – virtually or in-person – and will build a customized treatment plan based on your child’s needs. 

 

We can’t wait to meet you! 

Contact us today!

Humble Kids Dentistry is a colorful, fun place to be, and is built specifically with children in mind. Our dental team is highly trained and experienced in caring for children. We strive to deliver fun, caring dental experiences to our patients and take pride in caring for our community by providing high quality, conveniently accessible, compassionate oral health care.

 

In partnership with Optimal Orthodontics of Humble, we combine new technology with a commitment to quality and patient comfort. Our goal is to provide the highest quality orthodontic treatment for all our patients, with a personal touch in a supportive and caring environment. We can’t wait to meet you!

Everything You Need to Know about Invisalign First

Posted on by Humble Kids Dentistry

Everything You Need to Know about Invisalign First

Invisalign® First brings all of the great benefits of Invisalign® clear aligners to kids aged 6 to 10. In the hands of a skilled orthodontist, Invisalign® First can be the cornerstone of your little one’s early orthodontic treatment plan. In this article, we give you the rundown on everything you need to know about Phase 1 treatment, the benefits of Invisalign® and how Invisalign® First is an option specially designed for growing children.

 

Phase 1 and the 7 and up Club

 

While most people associate preteens and teens with braces, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends having your child seen by an experienced orthodontist around their 7th birthday. At this age an Orthodontist can identify any orthodontic problems and get ahead of moderate and severe issues that can become a bigger problem down the line. This is referred to as Phase 1 treatment or early interceptive treatment and is performed before all of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted. Phase 1 Treatment commonly addresses: 

 

  • Regulating arch width for developing teeth
  • Overcrowding 
  • Protruding teeth
  • Crossbites
  • Airway Obstruction

 

How Does Invisalign® First Differ from regular Invisalign®

 

Invisalign® First utilizes the same advanced technology as regular Invisalign® so you can count on the same high level quality people have come to expect from this top clear aligner brand. At the same time, Invisalign® First clear aligners expand on key innovations and have been specifically designed for growing patients.  The Invisalign® First aligners were created exclusively for younger patients with shorter tooth crowns and what the company calls its Eruption Compensation feature that makes it possible to treat erupting or changing dentition. This means that Invisalign® First can accommodate baby teeth falling out and new teeth coming in.

 

The Clear Advantage

 

Many adults are familiar with the advantages of Invisalign® Clear aligners but it’s important to remember that your little one can enjoy many of these great perks too! Here are some of our top reasons our patients love Invisalign®: 

  • Virtually Invisible® (great for even the most bashful kids)
  • Easy to remove: makes eating, brushing and flossing easy!
  • Comfortable Design:  no rubbing from brackets or poking from wires

Now introducing Invisalign Stickables. 

We are excited to introduce Invisalign Stickables a fun way for your child to customize their Invisalign aligners. They can choose from a variety of themes such as emojis, animals and nature, fantasy and gaming, and more. Stickables last for a couple of weeks before dissolving letting them switch up their look so they never get bored. Parents love them because they help their kids get excited about treatment, keeping them on track. Aligners with Stickables are also harder to lose which means these aligners are less likely to get tossed in a napkin at the lunch table and thrown away by mistake. Ask about Stickables during your complimentary consultation!

Contact us today!

Humble Kids Dentistry is a colorful, fun place to be, and is built specifically with children in mind. Our dental team is highly trained and experienced in caring for children. We strive to deliver fun, caring dental experiences to our patients and take pride in caring for our community by providing high quality, conveniently accessible, compassionate oral health care.

 

In partnership with Optimal Orthodontics of Humble, we combine new technology with a commitment to quality and patient comfort. Our goal is to provide the highest quality orthodontic treatment for all our patients, with a personal touch in a supportive and caring environment. We can’t wait to meet you!

Invisalign® is a registered trademark. 

EXPANDED SAFETY MEASURES AND GUIDELINES

Posted on by Humble Kids Dentistry

EXPANDED SAFETY MEASURES AND GUIDELINES

 

We are so excited to welcome you back to the office!

 

Hygiene and safety have always been a priority at our office and we will be taking additional measures to ensure the safety of our patients and team during this time.

 

Health & Safety

 

  • We will be protecting our team and our patients with the latest recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • We have all of the latest sterilization protocols in place to ensure that our facilities and clinics are ready for your arrival.
  • Our reception areas are being rearranged to allow for the recommended six-foot social distancing during your visit.
  • We have contracted a professional cleaning service to provide an added measure of disinfection and sterilization for our entire office at the end of every workday.
  • We have temporarily closed our high-touch areas and removed all beverage stations and magazines from our waiting areas.

 

Patient Screening

 

  • All patients will be screened for a fever upon arriving. In accordance with CDC guidelines anyone presenting with a fever of 100 F will be rescheduled.
  • Before coming in for your appointment, all patients and/or parents must fill out the following health screening form: Pre-appointment Form

 

Appointments

  • To provide you with the best service, we have added a Concierge Program to guide you through your visits with us. Due to restrictions on the number of guests that we can have in our facilities at one time, our Concierge Team will facilitate your check-ins, procedures, and check-outs.  We will anticipate your arrival, check you in for your appointment, and even deliver aligners from the comfort and safety of your car! When it is time for your appointment, we will let you know and guide you to your appropriate treatment area.
  • Upon arrival at the office please call us. There will be signage that reminds you of our phone number and provides links to the health screening form. Our patient concierge will come to get the patient.
  • Appointment scheduling has been adjusted to allow time for enhanced cleaning and sterilization measures. For example, routine adjustments, growth checkups, and Invisalign scans will be seen together. The appointments requiring use of dental handpieces and use of air and water, such as placing or removing braces require higher measures of protection and will be scheduled accordingly.
  • We will continue to offer virtual appointments for check-up exams, recall appointments and retainer checks.

 

Guidelines:

 

  • Patients experiencing flu-like symptoms, feeling unwell or suspect they have been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to proactively reschedule their appointment and not enter the office.
  • Please call ahead if you are experiencing an emergency or if you have a broken appliance. There may be long wait times for patients who have not notified us of their emergency prior to arrival.
  • We strongly prefer for anyone accompanying a patient to wait in the car during the exam unless absolutely necessary. Caregivers and guardians assisting patients with special needs are welcome to accompany the patient to the treatment area, but must wear a facial covering.
  • Please brush your teeth prior to your appointment, as brushing stations have been temporarily closed.
  • Please wash your hands in our clinical area prior to being seated for your appointment and prior to leaving our clinic after your appointment.

 

This is a dynamic situation and we’re constantly adjusting our approach to ensure both our patient’s and our team’s safety. Things will necessarily change and we promise to keep you updated.

 

SDF Offers No Drill, Pain-free Cavity Treatment for Children with Baby Teeth

Posted on by Humble Kids Dentistry

Is your little one afraid of the dentist’s office? For many kids, having a cavity filled can be a stressful experience. At Humble Kids dentistry we offer a quick and painless alternative to drilling. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a safe, antimicrobial liquid that can be used to treat cavities in baby teeth without causing the discomfort or stress associated with traditional fillings.

When a cavity forms and tooth decay occurs, dentists have traditionally relied on removing the decay manually, using a drill and applying a dental filling. While highly effective, the procedure can be uncomfortable and even scary for a child, especially those who are sensitive or who have difficulty staying still and may need sedation.

Is it worth the stress?

Some parents may wonder if putting their child through the stress of cavity filling is even worth it when the primary tooth will soon fall out and be replaced by a permanent, adult tooth. Unfortunately, tooth decay, if left untreated, can spread from the affected tooth to healthy teeth nearby, creating more cavities. The cavity is also likely causing your child pain and sensitivity.

A pain-free solution:

SDF treatment provides an effective and safe way to stop the bacteria that causes tooth decay in its tracks. It also makes sure that it doesn’t spread to any neighboring teeth. The best part is that it is completely painless and does not require any drilling, injections or noisy dental tools! The liquid is simply brushed onto the affected area of the tooth killing the bacteria and sealing the cavity. This not only stops the development of the cavity, but also the pain or sensitivity it may have been causing.

Who is SDF for?

SDF has been in use worldwide for decades and it has shown to be an easy, highly effective and safe treatment for dental cavities. It’s also less expensive than traditional fillings, especially in instances where sedation may be required. SDF does stain the portion of the tooth that was affected by the cavity so it is most often used with children whose baby teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth or on back teeth where the stain is less visible.

We never want our patients to feel anxious about an upcoming visit to our office. That’s why we are happy to offer a no-drill, pain-free solution for when cavities do occur.

Click below to schedule an appointment and find out why SDF treatment is just one reason to hop on over to Humble Kids Dentistry!

Contact us today!
Humble Kids Dentistry is a colorful, fun place to be, and is built specifically with children in mind. The open bay treatment areas, child friendly themes and parent-friendly atmosphere is designed to enhance your family’s dental visit. Dr. Arya and his team are highly trained and implement the highest level of technology in the dental field. We strive to deliver fun, caring dental experiences to our patients and take pride in caring for our community by providing high quality, conveniently accessible, compassionate oral health care.

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