Smiles by Mary Dallas dentist, Dr. Mary Swift, DDS, discusses Invisalign braces with “The Business Spotlight” host Patrick Dougher, in this third part of the four part series. Dr. Swift is the 2011, 2012 and 2013 recipient of the Consumer Choice Award for dentistry in the Dallas area. She also is the recent recipient of the Angie’s List Super Service Award.

Dr. Swift explains that alignment of the jaw is important for spine health, TMJ, and overall health issues. Aligning the teeth properly can even open the airways in your throat so you are able to get better air into your lungs when you breathe at night. This helps to eliminate snoring, and replaces some of the breathing devices needed for people with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

Invisalign braces have been around for nearly 20 years, but research and development has brought it from simple use for overcrowding to what it can do today to improve overall health. They are light, and virtually invisible to most people. They are worn 23 out of 24 hours per day (you take them out to eat), and every two weeks you go back to the dentist to have the tray replaced with another that will move your teeth slightly more.

Gone are the days of messy impressions – no gagging and no mess. Dr. Swift says that her office, Dallas Laser Dentistry, is one of the few in the Dallas area that digitally scans the patient’s mouth. A computer generated image replaces the old clay impressions.  It is a more exact too, and ensures a more perfect smile.