Malocclusion, also known as bad bite, can cause many oral and overall health issues, including:
Mouth breathing
Difficulty chewing
Tooth decay
Early or late loss of primary teeth in children
Gum disease
Tooth grinding
TMJ pain
Most dentists recommend having children screened for malocclusion starting at about age 7. If needed, treatment can usually begin around 12 or 13 years old. Dr. Zaruhi Shahbazyan at Shahbazyan Dental Studio can resolve most mild to moderate dental malocclusions with Invisalign treatment. Here’s what you need to know about this alternative to traditional braces.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces for treating mild to moderate cases of malocclusion. It is a system of clear aligners designed to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day and switched out every 1 to 3 weeks. The aligners put pressure on the teeth to shift them into alignment.
Benefits of Invisalign over Traditional Braces
The Invisalign system offers several benefits over traditional braces:
Invisalign
Traditional braces
Cost of treatment
Starts at $1,200 for up to 5 aligners, as high as $8,000 for unlimited
On average, costs $3,000 to $7,000
Appearance
Transparent, barely visible even close up
Metal brackets/wires can be seen even from a distance
Comfort
Smooth, no brackets/wires to cut the inside of your mouth, slight pressure on teeth when beginning treatment and switching to new aligners
Brackets/wires can cause cuts on mouth, pressure on teeth can be painful
Treatment timeline
Average of 12 to 18 months
Average of 12 to 24+ months
Restrictions
None
Avoid food that are sticky, hard, chewy, or crunchy
Oral hygiene
No modifications, can brush/floss as usual
Can be difficult to get around the brackets/wires to properly clean teeth
Cost of treatment
Invisalign
Starts at $1,200 for up to 5 aligners, as high as $8,000 for unlimited
Traditional braces
On average, costs $3,000 to $7,000
Appearance
Invisalign
Transparent, barely visible even close up
Traditional braces
Metal brackets/wires can be seen even from a distance
Comfort
Invisalign
Smooth, no brackets/wires to cut the inside of your mouth, slight pressure on teeth when beginning treatment and switching to new aligners
Traditional braces
Brackets/wires can cause cuts on mouth, pressure on teeth can be painful
Treatment timeline
Invisalign
Average of 12 to 18 months
Traditional braces
Average of 12 to 24+ months
Restrictions
Invisalign
None
Traditional braces
Avoid food that are sticky, hard, chewy, or crunchy
Oral hygiene
Invisalign
No modifications, can brush/floss as usual
Traditional braces
Can be difficult to get around the brackets/wires to properly clean teeth
Foods to Avoid
There are certain foods that can cause damage to the implants, complications with your recovery, and possible implant failure. Therefore, it's important to avoid tough, sticky, spicy, crunchy, acidic, and chewy foods for at least one week following implant surgery. You should also avoid foods and beverages that are extremely hot.
Why Avoid Dairy after Dental Implant Surgery?
Dairy is packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for your body, including:
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
Phosphorous
Calcium
Riboflavin
These vitamins and minerals are important for your bone health and should be consumed during your recovery. However, you may want to avoid dairy for a few days immediately following surgery.
Dental implant surgery is fairly invasive, and the surgical site is already inflamed. Dairy has been shown to trigger inflammation in soft oral tissues, which can at the very least irritate the surgical site and may even cause implant failure. In addition, dairy may cause nausea and vomiting, especially in patients who are lactose intolerant. This introduces stomach acid into the mouth, which can get into the surgical site, causing inflammation and possibly implant failure.
However, once the surgical site begins to heal, you can include dairy products such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, etc in your recovery diet.
When Can I Return To My Normal Diet?
You can begin to transition to a more normal diet when you feel ready. However, you will want to avoid crunchy, tough, chewy, sticky foods until your jawbone has healed around and fused with the implants.
Schedule Your Consultation with Us Today!
If you are missing some or all of your natural teeth and are interested in exploring your options for replacement, schedule your consultation with the team at Shahbazyan Dental Studio. Dr. Shahbazyan has completed several certifications in implant dentistry. She has the experience and expertise to help you get your smile and your confidence back.
We are located on North Cedar Avenue in Fresno. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. We accept a variety of insurance plans. Unfortunately, dental insurance often classifies dental implants as cosmetic, so they do not cover any portion of the procedure.
Our office staff will work with your dental provider to determine your coverage. If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover implants, we do offer financing options that can help make the cost more manageable.
Dental Implant Surgery FAQs
Dr. Shahbazyan and the team will be glad to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have regarding dental implant surgery and recovery. Below are some of the most common questions about dietary options following surgery.
When can I eat rice after dental implant surgery?
When you transition to a soft food diet after the first few days, you can include rice in your diet.
What not to drink after implant surgery?
You should avoid alcohol for at least a few days following implant surgery. You also want to avoid drinking beverages that are extremely hot for about a week. This will allow the surgical site time to heal.
How long does it take for dental implants to settle?
Typically, it takes about 5 to 7 months for the process of osseointegration, which is the process of the jawbone healing around and fusing with the dental implants. After this is complete, you'll be able to eat anything you like.
Can I eat bread after dental implant surgery?
Yes, when you transition to a soft food diet, you can include soft bread in your diet. You will want to avoid hard, crusty bread until your transition back to your normal diet.
Can I drink coffee with implants?
Yes, you can drink coffee with dental implants. However, you'll want to drink it lukewarm for the first week. If you consume foods or beverages that are extremely hot during this time, it can have a detrimental impact on your healing.
Shahbazyan DDS Cosmetic & General Dentistry offers comprehensive dental care with a focus on both cosmetic and general dentistry to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Led by Dr. Shahbazyan, a skilled and compassionate dentist, the clinic provides a full range of services, including preventive care, restorative treatments, and advanced cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, and smile makeovers.
With a commitment to using the latest technology and personalized treatment plans, Shahbazyan DDS ensures each patient receives exceptional care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Whether you're seeking routine dental exams or transformative cosmetic treatments, trust Shahbazyan DDS for all your dental needs.
At Shahbazyan Dental Studio in Fresno, CA, we offer a wide range of restorative dentistry services to restore the health, function, and beauty of your smile. Our experienced team provides personalized treatments using advanced technology for optimal results. We specialize in dental crowns to protect damaged teeth, dental bridges to replace missing teeth, and dental implants for permanent tooth replacement. We also offer custom-made dentures for comfort and function, as well as tooth-colored fillings that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Our goal is to help you smile confidently and maintain optimal oral health.
If you are missing some or all of your natural teeth and are interested in exploring your options for replacement, 
