Invisalign^®

Dr. Messenger is a Certified Invisalign® Provider

Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Messenger can determine if Invisalign is right for you.

What is it?

Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign.

Why would I want it?

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does it work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Messenger has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Messenger about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

For more information on Invisalign®, you can visit the Invisalign web site.

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Lumineers^®

Are your teeth chipped or stained? Would you like to improve your smile permanently, without any painful processes? We are pleased to offer Lumineers as an alternative to traditional porcelain veneers.

Veneers provide a way to conceal stains, chips, discoloration and misaligned teeth, by covering your actual teeth with a permanent layer of tooth-colored material.

You may be familiar with the conventional process of applying veneers. This generally involves shaving away a significant portion of the tooth, and requires an anesthetic shot to numb the resulting pain. In many cases, temporary veneers must be worn while the permanent veneers are manufactured in a lab.

Because Lumineers are as thin as a contact lens, their application requires little to no tooth reduction, and no anesthetic is necessary. Lumineers are bonded to your teeth and set in place with a curing light. Because the process is less invasive than with traditional veneers, Lumineers patients find that they immediately enjoy their new smiles without any post-procedure discomfort or sensitivity.

Cerinate®, the company that makes Lumineers, offers a five-year warranty on its veneers, and their clinical trials show that Lumineers can last up to 20 years.

Take control of your smile — ask us whether Lumineers are a good choice for you.

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CEREC^®

Dr. Messenger is your local CEREC® dentist for single-visit tooth restorations.

What is CEREC?

CEREC is a technology used by Dr. Messenger to help make your teeth stronger and more beautiful in a single visit. To learn more about this technology, visit the CAD CAM page within the "Doc's Gizmos" section.

Learn more about CEREC on their web site at www.cereconline.com.

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Zoom!^®

Dr. Messenger Provides Professional Teeth Whitening with Zoom!^®

Zoom! is a professional teeth whitening treatment that gets your teeth an average of eight shades whiter — in just one hour. The treatment is safe, simple, and relaxing! Plus, Zoom! is championed by dentists and patients as a pain-free process.

• To prepare for Zoom! whitening, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.
• Your lips and gums will be covered with an isolation material to protect them during the treatment.
• Then, we apply the Zoom! whitening gel, which is activated by the Zoom! light source. The gel and light work together to gently break up the stains on your teeth.
• After three 15-minute applications within one hour, you rinse and the treatment is complete — leaving you with a brighter, whiter smile.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for Zoom! whitening!

Learn more about Zoom! on their web site at www.zoomnow.com.

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BriteSmile^®

Dr. Messenger Provides Professional Teeth Whitening with BriteSmile®

BriteSmile is a professional teeth whitening treatment that gets teeth an average of 9 or more shades whiter — in just one hour.

The treatment is simple, relaxing, and painless! First, you'll meet with the doctor for a complimentary consultation to answer your questions. If you are interested in the treatment, the doctor will examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy and ready for the treatment. During the procedure, BriteSmile's proprietary gel and blue light treatment whitens your teeth with stunning results.

About the Process:

1. While protecting your gums and mouth with an isolation material, our staff takes a "before" picture.
2. Then, we apply the BriteSmile whitening gel which is activated by the blue light source.
3. After three 20-minute applications during one hour, you rinse and the treatment is complete.

Contact us to schedule an appointment with the doctor and get started on a brighter, whiter smile today!

More information is also available by visiting: www.britesmilewhitening.com.

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TMJ/TMD

Temporomandibular Disorder

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.

Symptoms of TMD include:

• Pain in the jaw area
• Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
• Frequent headaches or neck aches
• Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
• Swelling on the sides of the face
• Muscle spasms in the jaw area
• A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
• Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

Should you notice any of these symptoms, let us know! We can help advise you as to whether they indicate the presence of TMD, and what sort of treatment is appropriate for you.

If you don't have any of these symptoms, let's keep it that way! There are some simple things you can do at home or work to prevent TMD from occurring in your jaw joints:

• Relax your face - remember the rule: "Lips together, teeth apart"
• Avoid grinding your teeth
• Avoid constant gum chewing
• Don't cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder - either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear
• Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
• Do not sit with your chin rested on your hand
• Practice good posture - keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared