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22 Invisalign ® has been a huge advancement in the world of orthodontia, replacing painful metal brackets and poking wires with comfortable plastic trays. Pearl Dental Associates has made Invisalign ® even better with new scanner technology that can show a timeline of your bite over weeks, months and even years. The iTero Element ® scanner creates a fast and precise 3D digital image of your teeth on a large screen, allowing your provider to map out a custom treatment plan. The scanner also shows places where you need to clean your teeth better and reveals any potential for gum disease. Dr. Teresa Salem and her staff at Pearl Dental Associates have been specially trained on the iTero Element ® scanner, which means less time in the chair and no more uncomfortable plaster impressions. Invisalign ® gradually shifts teeth into place with trays that each make teeth slightly straighter than the previous tray. The trays are clear, barely visible and easy to remove—no more embarrassing food stuck in braces! Many parents have been put off by the cost of Invisalign ® as an alternative to old- fashioned braces for their kids, but Pearl Dental Associates offers comprehensive Invisalign ® for $3500, and many insurances pay for $2000 of the cost. It also works in a shorter time, making Invisalign ® often more affordable than braces. Invisalign ® definitely isn't just for teens. Are you an adult who is frustrated that, after suffering through years of awkward braces, headgears and retainers in adolescence, your teeth are getting crooked all over again? You are not alone. If you cannot stand the thought of being back in braces, Invisalign ® is a great option for getting your teeth realigned. It may seem puzzling that your teeth look less straight, but there are several reasons why teeth shift as we get older. Loss of bone density is one reason. Another is that your lower jaw grows forward throughout your life. Over time, this gives your bottom teeth less space, causing them to crowd. It can also make your lower teeth bump into your upper teeth, creating unwanted movement. Grinding your teeth is a culprit, because it causes changes in your bite and shortens your teeth. Finally, gum disease can cause teeth to shift, because it means less support for your By Erica Ford Photography by Heather McCall PEARL DENTAL ASSOCIATES: A Better Way for Adults and Children to Get Straight Teeth