Airway Is the Key

GET A STRAIGHT & BEAUTIFUL SMILE IN A HEALTHY WAY!

The Top Certified Holistic, Biological & Integrative Dentist, Dr. Horiyat
for Adults & Children

As the demand for aesthetics and healthy wellness treatment is increasing due to holistic, biological, and integrative awareness, more people are seeking holistic clear aligners and oral appliances that are alternatives to conventional fixed metal orthodontic appliances to treat their jaw, bite, misaligned teeth, airway, TMJ, sleep apnea, and snoring. This holistic awareness has also been helping more people to even look for preventive care, especially at the early age of their children.

At Aria Dental, Dr. Horiyat believes that orthodontics is about more than just a pretty smile; she believes that straight teeth with correct occlusal (bite) and proper jaw (arch) size and shape can be one of the reasons for healthier orofacial joints or airway size, which will ultimately help to prevent medical or dental conditions such as TMJ disorders & orofacial pain, sleep apnea/snoring. She also believes that maintaining your straight teeth in their new position after the completion of orthodontic treatments is the key to enjoying your beautiful smile. 

Thus, Dr. Horiyat is happy to provide comprehensive consultations where, together, we can assess what orthodontic options and retainers are available for you or your child and the associated holistic benefits of each option.

Palatal Expander

A palate expander, also known as a maxillary expander, is a phase I orthodontic appliance that is usually used in early childhood between the ages of 5-7 years old to expand the upper jaw or palate bone that sits at the bottom of the nasal cavity; it creates more space in a child’s mouth by gradually widening the upper jaw while producing a correct bite, easier breathing, and ultimately straighter teeth. The process of palate expanding in children is a simple & painless process because the upper jaw actually develops as two separate halves that don’t completely fuse together until sometime after puberty. Thus, the two bones can gently be separated and stabilized over a period of several months. 

A major benefit of receiving orthodontic treatment in childhood is that it’s possible to treat or even prevent a malocclusion (abnormal bite). Expanding the upper jaw broadens the smile in an aesthetically pleasing way and improves breathing; it can shorten overall orthodontic treatment time and limit the number of teeth that need to be extracted during late-phase orthodontic treatment. 

Most Common Reasons for Palatal Expanders

Cross Bite

When a child’s upper jaw is too narrow to fit correctly with the lower jaw, the upper back teeth will bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside.

Impacted Tooth

When a tooth does not come out (erupt), widening the upper jaw sometimes allows the tooth to erupt into the proper position on its own.

Types of Palatal Expanders

Expanders are uniquely made for each patient based on their dental arch and palate size. The devices are available in fixed or removable forms. Common types of expanders include: 

Dental Appliances & Aligners

This fixed appliance fits over a few back upper teeth with a screw in the middle. To activate RPE, you turn the screw a small amount each day with a special key.

This removable expander is typically used when a patient only needs minor jaw widening. These types of appliances are like acrylic retainers except they are chrome. 

Mature adolescents have a jaw that is almost fully developed, thus heavier force is needed to widen their jaw. This can be achieved with this expander that consists of 4 mini-implants that apply force to the maxillary bone instead of the teeth.  

Once a person reaches full puberty, their jawbone is typically fully developed. In these cases, an orthodontist may require surgically inserting a palate expander into the mid-palate bone. 

 

Clear Aligners... Invisalign®

Not All Clear Aligners Are Created Equal

Are you looking to get a straighter and more captivating smile but want to avoid metal braces and brackets? If so, you may be a good candidate for clear aligners also known as invisible braces for your orthodontic treatments. Many companies like ClearCorrect, SmileDirect, Candid Co., Byte, and Invisalign® offer an alternative to metal wire braces by using custom-fit clear aligners to move your teeth gently, however, not all clear aligners are created equal. There are two categories of clear aligner therapy. One is guided by your dentist or orthodontics and the other is order-by-mail or direct-to-consumer. While we can understand how tempting it is to skip the dentist, order-by-mail options are NOT safe for many reasons such as undiagnosed cavities or gum disease that can progress during treatment.  The internet is full of horror stories of patients who attempt moving their own teeth and end up with teeth that actually fall out! We understand that many invisible braces companies require you to take an impression of your teeth and send it to them, but we believe that the education, training, and supervision of a licensed dentist or orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is required from start to finish of clear aligner to move teeth safely and predictably since moving teeth is a complex biological process. We strongly believe that having a professional dentist evaluate your soft tissues, gum, teeth, bite, and jawbone is essential to avoid certain oral and overall health conditions such as a loose tooth, gum recession, and TMJ pain. 

Benefits of Invisalign®

Dental Appliances & Aligners

Metal-Free

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Custom

Dental Appliances & Aligners

Removable

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Invisible

What Are Invisalign®

Invisalign® is a high-tech, BPA-free thermoplastic appliance that straightens your teeth in a holistic and virtually invisible way. The Invisalign® system uses aligners made of clear, thin, and medical-grade polymer; it corrects bite issues and malocclusion.  The benefits of Invisalign® clear aligners can’t be overstated, but they are discreet and removable, and some options can even help you move and straighten your teeth in your sleep. As the aligners are clear and invisible when worn, people wear them throughout the day without aesthetic discomfort.
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Dental Appliances & Aligners

The Best Invisible & Holistic Braces… Invisalign®

By evaluating different clear aligners companies, Dr. Maryam Horiyat confirms that the most holistic, biological, advanced, precise, and sought-after solutions for malocclusion and straightening your teeth without metal braces, bands, and wires are INVISALIGN® which treat mild bite issues and more severe malocclusion, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. Invisalign® requires licensed dentist supervision from start to finish and has aesthetic and health advantages over conventional metal braces. As we know, certain metals are neurotoxins and can cause medical conditions such as allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases.

Inman Aligners®

Straighten Your Teeth in Weeks with Inman Aligners

Are you unhappy with the appearance of crooked teeth when laughing or smiling but want to avoid months of braces? If so, you can straighten your smile efficiently in just weeks as opposed to months or years by considering Inman Aligner, which is a simple removable appliance used to align crowded or protruded front teeth quickly and safely. It’s ideal as a stand-alone

How Does Inman Aligner Work?

The Inman Aligner is a removable appliance that anchors onto your molars and has two arches that are connected together by Nickel Titanium coil springs. The springs power two aligner bows that gently oppose each other, guiding the teeth into their new position. These gentle forces are active over a very large range of movement, which is the reason why the Inman Aligner works quickly.

Dental Appliances & Aligners

How long Is the Treatment with The Inman Aligner?

Most cases are completed within 6-18 weeks. Your Inman Aligner dentist will give you a realistic guide on what to expect.

The Benefit of The Inman Aligner

The Inman Aligner is a relatively new orthodontic treatment that has many advantages, including:

Dental Appliances & Aligners

Vivera Aligners®

Keep Your Amazing Smile with Vivera Retainers

Holistic Orthodontics Is An Alternative to Traditional Braces 

When you invest your time, care, and money into braces or Invisalign®, it is important to keep your beautiful new smile and straight teeth in their new position for a lifetime. To do so, you need to follow a rather rigorous orthodontic maintenance protocol plan called “Retention Phase”, in which you continue wearing a retainer for a duration that is recommended.
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Vivera Retainers

What Are Vivera® Retainers?

Vivera Aligners are Metal-Free & BPA-Free Polymers.

Orthodontic retainers are generally permanent and fixed metal wire that is bonded to the lingual (back) of the front teeth after completion of orthodontic to keep your teeth staying in their new position. 

There are different types of removable orthodontic retainers available in the market. Some are made from clear plastic such as Essix Retainers and others are made from metal wires such as Hawley Retainers; however, as a certified holistic dentist, an orthodontic expert, and an elite Invisalign® provider, we prefer a metal-free Vivera® retainer by Invisalign® to preserve your teeth’ alignment.

Vivera Retainers

Your New Smile Is a Keeper

Dentistry That Protects Your Straight Smile Forever!

Your orthodontist may have told you that your teeth could start to shift after you’ve finished orthodontic treatments if you don’t wear a retainer because your teeth have memory. 

let’s make sure the smile that you’ve always wanted & achieved now lasts forever with Vivera Retainers. 

Vivera retainers

What Makes Vivera Retainer Different?

Several factors influence the performance, durability, longevity, and expense of dental restoration.

ALF Orthodontics

Invest in Your Wellness with an ALF Oral Appliance

Holistic Orthodontics Is An Alternative to Traditional Braces 

ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functionals) is a non-traditional and biological orthodontic treatment to address the underlying causes of crooked teeth by using the appliance of lightwire; this method is a transformational orthodontics that focuses on a principle of correcting cranial imbalances using combined myofunctional therapies and eliminates occlusion pathology at the level of its cause, namely at the level of a violation of the cranial bone’s natural position. ALF is a holistic orthodontic treatment oriented to the whole body; it is not the only way to create a beautiful smile, but also a preventive and effective approach to promote your general health and wellness through improved breathing.
The ALF technique stimulates the correct development of the facial skull and allows you to achieve an attractive, harmonious facial aesthetic.

Who Benefits from ALF Orthodontics

little boy amazed by bubbles in the air

How Do ALF Appliances Work?

An ALF appliance works to improve a patient’s posture using a device that repositions the jaws, dental arches, and teeth; it works best when done in combination with Cranial Osteopathy because it releases stress and tension throughout the body, including head tension. ALF Orthodontics uses a similar method as cranial osteopathy by gently altering the cranial structures on a gradual basis. While the appliance is not part of cranial osteopathy, it’s effective for treating specific dysfunctions by creating the ideal alignment to enhance the body’s proper health, structure, and function. This is especially beneficial for improving the airways to make breathing easier.

Unlike traditional braces, the ALF is a removable device. It is a wire construction and is custom-made. The function of ALF is based on the osteopathic principle of “the applying of the soft strength” to move the jaws and teeth. This means that patients experience significantly less discomfort with ALF than with traditional braces.

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What Age Patients Can Benefit from ALF Treatment?

Typically, treatment for children begins between ages 6 and 8, while the four permanent front teeth are growing in. But some children may begin treatment as young as age 5. It is important to remember that by age 4, 60% of an individual’s facial growth is complete; and by age 6, 80% of the facial growth is complete. Because it promotes proper growth and development, ALF treatment can be extremely effective when it is begun during a growth stage.

However, older patients can also benefit from ALF treatment! Because it affects overall health, patients of nearly every age can enjoy noticeable and effective results. We may prescribe this treatment for older patients who have:

ALF Therapy, Cranial Osteopathy & Orofacial Myology

Our Integrative approaches use ALF appliances for myofunctional therapy. The collaborative treatment can correct tissues with the teeth, mouth, jaw, and face to resolve certain restrictions that impact normal functions. Often, the appliances can be used to promote proper swallowing patterns, narrowed upper palate, or other issues that can impact development, breathing, and posture. Overall, the myofunctional therapies and ALF appliances optimize cranial symmetry, function, and development.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) can be described as the neuromuscular reeducation of the oral facial muscles. It promotes the stability of the mouth, jaws, and closely related structures called the stomatognathic system. When the tongue is resting against the roof of the mouth, it enhances and creates stability for the jaw joint. The tongue is the best jaw joint stabilizer. Another function of the tongue is to protect the airway. If the tongue is habitually resting down and forward in the lower jaw, normal form and function are disrupted. This may happen with obstructed airways, restricted frenums, (fold of skin beneath the tongue), upper lip tie (upper lip is attached to upper gum), or excessive sucking of bottles, pacifiers, or fingers.

How Can ALF Treatment Help Me?

You might think traditional orthodontics and an ALF appliance are the same because they can improve the alignment of the teeth and bite; however, there are clear differences. ALF treatment focuses more on a patient’s health to relieve certain conditions. Without treatment, improper facial and jaw development can cause:

Personalized Dental Care

Dr. Maryam Horiyat is a premier cosmetic, holistic, and biological dentist who is commonly considered the ideal choice for patients seeking the finest in cosmetic dentistry treatments. She has completed over 10,000 cosmetic dental treatments successfully, which function and look incredibly beautiful. See for yourself how rewarding dental treatments can be when you choose Dr. Horiyat to enhance and care for your smiles and health.

What Makes Us Unique?

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