I am in my early 60s and had extensive orthodontic work in middle school.  I had braces for 6 years and thought I was done with any kind of orthodontic work.  However, as I aged, I developed an open bite and crowding of my lower teeth—complicated by extensive tori (bone growth throughout my lower and upper jaws and palettes).  I also grind my teeth, especially at night, and my dentist recommended that I consult with an orthodontist.  His recommended orthodontist suggested the removal of the tori followed by a second surgery to correct the open bite and traditional braces for 2 years.

I underwent the oral surgery to remove the tori but balked at the second surgery to correct the open bite.  The second surgery would involve cutting out sections of my jaw, being in a head cage for two months and having my mouth wired shut for several weeks.  I would also wear steel braces before and after the second surgery.  The entire process would take over two years.  I felt that my teeth were not that crooked and my open bite not severe enough to undergo a second major surgical procedure that sounded medieval.  I also thought my 60 year old teeth might be unnecessarily traumatized by the pressure of steel braces for two years.  And frankly, I did not like the prospect of taking that much time off work, wearing a head cage and steel braces.  So, I decided not to proceed with any corrective work.

But then I broke a wisdom tooth and my dentist strongly recommended that I reconsider adult orthodontic work.  I asked about other options, and my dentist suggested invisalign.  He then recommended Dr. Tanner and Dr. Reichhold because they were the most technologically advanced invisalign practice in the area and were known to achieve excellent results.  My dentist cautioned that my situation was complicated and invisalign might not work but it was also a gentler and less invasive approach to the corrective work I needed.

I met with Dr. Reichhold and his team in September 2013.  They recommended that buttons be bonded to certain teeth and that I wear bands for 3-to-4-months to move selected teeth closer together – to close my moderate open bite.  Then I would start with the invisalign trays for the next 60-70 weeks.  I debated the two approaches with my dentist, e.g., the traditional steel braces/oral surgery versus the buttons/invisalign trays and decided to work with Dr. Reichhold.  I have just completed the invisalign process.  It was the best solution for my situation, and I have been extremely pleased with the result.  The required brushing and flossing—after eating or drinking and before inserting the trays— also resulted in healthier gums and teeth (an added bonus).

I was very impressed with Dr. Reichhold and his team.  Whenever I came in for an appointment, his staff and technical teams were very gracious and professional.  Their front office is the most organized of any medical or dental practice that I have ever encountered!  Dr. Reichhold and his team thoroughly explained each step of the process and were very responsive to any questions or concerns that I had.  Even my dentist commented, after the buttons were removed, that Dr. Reichhold’s ‘chairside assistants’ cleaned my teeth more thoroughly than any other orthodontist’s work that he had seen!  Dr. Reichhold’s team is superb and Dr. Reichhold is excellent.  I am very happy with the result and recommend them highly.