Orange County Orthodontist - Zachary Orthodontics in Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo
Orthodontist in Orange County, California - Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills and Other Nearby Cities
What is Invisalign®?
Along with a variety of other orthodontic solutions, our office has prescribed Invisalign clear aligners for many years. Invisalign is a product of Align Technology, a U.S. company with its lab and laboratory technicians in Costa Rica. Align Tech makes clear aligners that apply forces on teeth per an orthodontist’s instructions and treatment plan. As with any technology or product, effectiveness is directly related to the orthodontic expert directing the plan.
How well do Invisalign and similar products work?
By now you may have heard about straightening teeth with clear aligners, and in particular, the Invisalign system. You may have already discussed it with me at my office. To its credit, Invisalign has done an excellent job of marketing its product. So what are the advantages? Are there any disadvantages? And what type of patient will respond favorably to the use of this type of “invisible” treatment?
Because a patient can remove a clear aligner, it allows him/her to eat a wider variety of foods than traditional braces. Of course, brushing and flossing is easier for the same reason. Some patients find the clear aligners more comfortable, and many consider them more attractive.
But not all patients benefit from clear aligners. Some situations require a more traditional approach. A recent study measured the efficiency and effectiveness of these clear aligners by reviewing the results of patients treated with Invisalign at the University of Illinois. Virtual 3-D models of the patients’ teeth were superimposed to allow measurement of the correction that was obtained using Invisalign. This provided a unique and precise way of measuring the accuracy of tooth movement. The study found that the most accurate correction was achieved when moving front teeth back (that stuck out too far), while the least accurate type of correction was extrusion (moving the upper teeth down toward the lower jaw or moving lower teeth up toward the upper jaw, in order to allow the teeth to reach contact). The accuracy of a third type of correction that we seek – rotating, or turning, the canine teeth – was significantly less than that of all other teeth, with the exception of the maxillary lateral incisors (the teeth adjacent to the two front teeth).
Clear Aligners versus Traditional Braces?
We know that clear aligners can move teeth into straighter positions, but not always as accurately as other appliances and techniques. In addition, using clear aligners requires orthodontists to carefully select only certain patients to treat with this orthodontic product in order to achieve a predictable result. People with well-aligned jaws and less severe teeth alignment problems are the best candidates for Invisalign and similar products.
When an individual has a more complex tooth and jaw relationship, techniques other than clear aligners may be needed to achieve a proper bite and a beautiful smile — which is always the goal of every orthodontist. Only orthodontists receive the American Association of Orthodontics accreditation, including 2-3 years of additional post-dental school training, that allows us to specialize in the correction of misaligned teeth and jaws, no matter how mild or severe the case may be.
Invisalign at Our Orange County Office
We have used Invisalign since its introduction over 10 years ago – we have enjoyed excellent success, and many happy patients. If you are interested in orthodontic treatment and are wondering if Invisalign or any other treatment modality is right for you, contact our office. As board-certified orthodontists, we will review with you all of your orthodontic treatment options and help match your goals and needs with the best, safest, most comfortable and effective treatments available.
To help you determine whether Invisalign will improve your smile, call us at (949) 831-5500, or send us an email, for a complimentary consultation at our office.
Dr. Zachary is proud to announce the recent anniversaries of two of our longest-serving orthodontic staff, Maria and Julie! Maria has been affiliated with our practice since 1988, Julie since 1985!
Both Maria and Julie have been integral to helping maintain Dr. Zachary’s high level of quality orthodontic care. Both ladies have children who have grown up in our local schools and who continue to contribute to the success of our communities. We feel so fortunate that Maria and Julie have continued to be part of our team – we look forward to another 25 years with them!
We also want to wish Theresa a very happy December birthday! Theresa joined our practice 5 years ago when she relocated to South Orange County. Happy Birthday, Theresa!
Despite vociferous and repeated recommendations by dental professionals that sports-playing youths wear mouthguards, a large number of children are still ignoring the warnings. Mouthguards not only protect a player’s teeth, but also help prevent concussions, with the mouthguard acting as a shock absorber.
According to recent studies, 68% of parents reported their child chooses against using a mouthguard when playing baseball, basketball, softball, and soccer. Studies have shown that basketball players are 15 times more at risk sustaining orofacial or concussion-type injury compared to football players.
Because we feel it is so important to protect these athletes, as well as all of our kids at Zachary Orthodontics, we offer complementary mouthguards for all our patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
We should be calling this little article, “All in the Family.”
As so many of you have now experienced, Dr. Zachary continuously honors each of us, his staff members, as we celebrate our years spent in his practice. He generously describes our qualities and contributions as if we were part of his immediate family. He does so at our office, and even here on the website! We would now like to take the opportunity to shine that spotlight back on him…
Dr. Zachary grew up in the San Fernando Valley with mom Dina, dad Tony and sister Joanna. Like so many of your children, he played Little League, more specifically, first base. And, at age 10, there was that one game, that one incredible game! The picture below highlights that time in Dr. Zachary’s life, his uniform, all that hair (!), and the the loving tribute written by his father to his young son, forever saving that moment as a special memory for them both. We hope it touches you the way it has touched us!
As we approach Thanksgiving, we give thanks for Dr. Zachary and for you, the families who have made it possible for us to take part in your life while doing what we love to do!
– The Orthodontic Staff at Zachary Orthodontics
When Dr. Zachary graduated from UC Irvine years ago with his double degree in Biology and Applied Psychology, he knew that as his practice grew, he would be sure to give back to the university that was the springboard for his orthodontic career.
This year, Dr. Zachary was one of the few UC Irvine Biology Department Mentors asked to mentor two current UC Irvine students, instead of just the usual one. Dr. Zachary is thrilled to continue his involvement in the UC Irvine Biology Department Mentorship program, and looks forward to presenting orthodontics as a career to its students. Stay tuned for future blog posts on Dr. Zachary’s mentorship progress.
UC Irvine School of Biological Sciences
This October we celebrated Carolyn’s 9th year anniversary with our office as our New Patient Coordinator! We feel so lucky to have Carolyn, a veteran in the orthodontic field for over 21 years.
Carolyn has excelled at creating a professional environment for our new patients who walk through our door. She makes sure their experience is the best possible, anticipating what Dr. Zachary needs at the ready for the full diagnosis and treatment planning appointment for each patient. She coordinates the appointments necessary to start orthodontic treatment…always referring to the patient’s school, sports, family, or work schedules. Being a mom of three children, Carolyn is aware of the pulls and tugs on a family’s schedule and makes it her responsibility to accommodate even the most busy and challenging schedules.
We are pleased to congratulate Carolyn on her 9 years of service at Zachary Orthodontics, and look forward to at least another 9 years!
As part of our ongoing efforts to highlight our wonderful patients and their terrific parents, and continue to “give back” to our community, Zachary Orthodontics has started what we call our “Local Focus: Parent Business Showcase.” This is an opportunity for families who have received orthodontic treatment, and those who are being treated currently, to showcase their small local businesses in our office. Since we have so many families coming through our doors weekly, we thought it would be a great opportunity for other parents, patients, and families to be be exposed to these businesses.
Frankie and Julie
One business is chosen every two weeks via drawing. The response has already been huge! We are still accepting new submissions for businesses to be included in future drawings. We strongly suggest that each featured business provides an 8.5 x 11 inch sign and business cards, or special offer cards, etc. Zachary Orthodontics will handle all the other logistics, as well as providing gourmet coffee and tea selections with biscotti for each showcase.
Contact us for more information here on the website, or by phone at 949.831.5500, or in person at our Laguna Niguel office.
(Click the map for directions to our office!)
23800 Aliso Creek Rd.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Map & Directions
Phone: 949.831.5500
Fax: 949.448.7795
E-mail: Use Our Contact Form
Four of our team members celebrated birthdays this month! Congratulations and happy & healthy wishes go out to Gail, Carolyn, Kim, and Cristie! 