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While fall may signify the magnificent changing of the leaves and somewhat of an addiction to pumpkin-spice anything for many of us, for our teen patients fall means the start of a new school year - a time of fun, friends, and learning. With the social nature of high school, however, many teenage patients are hesitant to get braces, worrying about the aesthetic effects of brackets and wires on social lives and school pictures. At Garai Orthodontic Specialists, our mission is to satisfy our patients as best we can, which is why we offer an alternative to traditional metal braces - Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign Teen is a system of orthodontic appliances that uses a series of clear, plastic aligners - usually between 18 and 30 - to straighten teeth. Every two weeks, a new aligner is put in, and with each new aligner the teeth move closer to their optimal position.

What makes Invisalign Teen so well suited to high school patients is the fact that the aligners are completely see-through, making them virtually invisible to anyone besides the person wearing them. Furthermore, the aligners are removable and can be taken out to eat, drink, brush, and floss, meaning there are no dietary restrictions, and oral hygiene, a critical component to orthodontic care, is that much easier.

Finally, each aligner is equipped with a Blue Dot wear indicator, which easily shows if the aligner has been worn enough. It's a system designed exclusively for the teenage lifestyle - virtually invisible, removable, and remarkably easy to use.

Make An Appointment With Your Great Falls, VA Orthodontist

If you're interested in Invisalign Teen and would like to find out more, feel free to call us at (703) 281-4868, or us our online form to make an appointment at our Vienna or Great Falls offices. And don’t forget to check back at our blog – we’ll be updating it with all things interesting in the world of orthodontics.

It's the end of summer, and fall is just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and Dr. Allen Garai & Dr. Karen Tratensek and our team at Garai Orthodontic Specialist are sure that you’ll soon be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans in no time. But wait! First, we want to know about your favorite parts of the summer! Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Labor Day honors the contributions that workers have made to this country, and for many Americans, the holiday is a great time to relax at home with family and friends. But there are quite a few people who celebrate the holiday by getting out of town, with an estimated 33 million people traveling more than 50 miles over Labor Day weekend each year. If you’re dreaming of a great Labor Day escape but you’re not quite sure where to go, here are a few ideas from our team at Garai Orthodontic Specialist to give you some travel inspiration.

Explore a National Park

On a national holiday like Labor Day, it’s only fitting to experience the beauty of America’s landscapes by heading to the nearest national park. If you’re confined to an office most days of the year, national parks can provide a relaxing and scenic escape, whether you’re by yourself, traveling with a group of friends, or bringing the whole family along. Depending on how close you live to the nearest park, you can stay for an afternoon or for longer than a week. With 58 parks located in 27 states, there are plenty of beautiful areas to choose from.

Chow Down in a BBQ Haven

Barbecuing is a popular Labor Day activity, but instead of sweating over your own grill or oven, try visiting one of the country’s BBQ capitals. U.S. News and World Report names Memphis as the top BBQ destination, with more than 80 BBQ restaurants in the city, most notably Corky’s BBQ and Central BBQ. Kansas City is also known for the sweet taste of its sauces, while central Texas is said to have perfected the technique of smoking tender and flavorful brisket.

Relax on the Beach

Many people think of Labor Day as the unofficial start of fall, which brings cooler temperatures, more rain, and for many people, an end to lazy days at the beach. End your beach days with a bang by taking a trip to one of the coasts or to a lakeside beach. For an added dose of festivity, find a city or town that celebrates the occasion with a fireworks display over the water.

Whether you’re looking to turn your getaway into a full week affair or you simply want to experience a quick escape, make the most of your holiday by changing your surrounding scenery. Happy Labor Day from the Orthodontics practice of Dr. Allen Garai & Dr. Karen Tratensek!

Invisalign or Incognito – What’s the Right Choice?

With advances in modern orthodontic technology, there are a number of alternatives to traditional braces that can provide a much more covert and visibly pleasing orthodontic treatment. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the differing benefits for two treatment methods in particular – Invisalign clear aligners and Incognito lingual braces.

Invisalign is a set of clear plastic aligners – virtually invisible to other people – that are made from high-precision molds of your teeth. The aligners are switched our every two weeks, each new aligner moving your teeth closer to their final position. Incognito braces are metal braces placed on the backs of your teeth – making them completely undetectable to everyone but you and your orthodontist.

Main Differences

Although both do largely the same thing, the methods for each treatment plan are different and afford different benefits.

Invisalign, being clear plastic trays, are fully removable, making brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking much easier. The aligners are simply popped out for any of these activities and popped back in when done – simple as that. This means Invisalign comes with no dietary restrictions and can make it easier to maintain oral health during treatment.

On the other hand, Incognito, or lingual, braces are still metal braces. However, instead of being mounted on the front of your teeth where everyone can see them, lingual braces are placed on the backs of teeth, making them invisible to observers. Because they are physically mounted to the teeth, they can’t be removed for cleaning and eating like Invisalign can, and come with the same dietary restrictions as traditional braces. However, they are completely invisible to other people and completely customized to fit your teeth. Because they leave the front of your teeth completely vacant, Incognito braces are often a great choice for athletes, models, actors, and musicians who play wind instruments.

Your Local Vienna, VA Orthodontist

To truly make the decision about what treatment option is right for you, you’ll have to have a full consultation with Dr. Garai. To schedule an appointment, feel free to use our online form or contact us at either our Vienna, VA or Great Falls, VA offices. We can’t wait to see you!