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Most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And if you’ve thought about straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about doing so with traditional orthodontic treatment, Dr. Sal Carcara and our team at Carcara Orthodontics want you to know there is another option – Invisalign®!

Invisalign, recently featured the NBC’s Today Show, is an ideal solution for most adults looking for a less noticeable way to achieve a better smile. In fact, Invisalign has increasingly become a very popular choice for adults looking for a more comfortable, convenient and cosmetically-appealing treatment for straightening their teeth.

Our team at Carcara Orthodontics is proud to offer Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing, which allows you to smile more during treatment, as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want; brushing and flossing is easier with Invisalign than with traditional braces.

Invisalign’s aligners are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during your treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at our 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!

A consultation with Dr. Sal Carcara can determine if Invisalign is right for you. We encourage you to watch the above clip and give us a call at our friendly Westwood, NJ office if you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign or if you are ready to visit us for an initial consultation! We look forward to seeing you!

Halloween is a favorite holiday among children due to the festive games, imaginative costumes, and candy. Modern celebrations stem from a combination of traditions from Pagan and Christian traditions throughout the centuries. The original holiday was called Samhain and derived from the ancient Druids of Ireland. In their belief system, November 1st marked the beginning of winter, and Pagans began their Samhain celebrations at sunset on October 31st.

Modern Celebrations of Halloween

Children and adults love dressing up for Halloween, and this tradition comes from the ancient belief in spirits. From sunset on October 31st until sunrise on November 1st, the souls of the dead entered the physical world. Some spirits were benevolent and wanted only to cross over to the afterlife while others harbored malicious intents of revenge and trickery. Pagans wore masks and disguised themselves so that the malevolent souls would mistake them as fellow spirits.

Families left food and ale outside of their doors to appease the spirits. With the rise of Christianity in Europe, the church encouraged its members to offer food and money to beggars. In exchange, the beggars would agree to pray for the family's deceased loved ones. Eventually these traditions led to the development of today's customs where children dressed up and received candy from their neighbors while circling the community.

Teeth-Friendly Treats

With all of the excitement and free candy on Halloween, it is easy to get carried away on a sugar high. Parents warn their children not to eat too many pieces in one night to avoid tummy aches and cavities. Our team at Carcara Orthodontics especially want to remind children with braces to be extra cautious about the treats they eat because some varieties can get stuck in between the brackets and damage the devices. Sticky candy, such as caramels, fruit chews, and gum should be avoided when wearing braces. Children can trade with their friends and siblings to get only safe candies. The following list offers some alternative treats that children with braces can safely enjoy.

• Solid chocolate, including milk, white, or dark
• Nougat-filled candy bars, such as Three Musketeers
• Candy-coated chocolates like M&Ms
• Powdery candy, such as Sweet Tarts or Pixie Stix
• Mint-flavored candy
• Malted milk balls
• Cookies
• Peanut butter crackers or cookies

When in doubt, children should ask their parents or Dr. Sal Carcara if a specific candy is safe. Halloween is a fun holiday for children, and having braces does not have to take away any of the excitement from tasty treats.

At Carcara Orthodontics, we know that image is everything. For many people, the thought of having metal brackets and wires attached to their teeth for two or more years may be more than enough to reconsider orthodontic treatment.

If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about metal wires and brackets getting in the way of your smile, Invisalign treatment at Carcara Orthodontics may be a great solution.Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look. Then, as your treatment begins, Invisalign straightens teeth through a series of clear, custom-fit removable aligners, and does so in a way that is discreet and hardly noticeable.

If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at our Westwood, NJ office, please give us a call to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Sal Carcara.

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities while you undergo treatment? Will it slur your speech? Will people even know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Sal Carcara and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at Carcara Orthodontics.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves your teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience any pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people tell that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without friends, family or your coworkers knowing!

Can I smoke during treatment?

Dr. Sal Carcara and our team discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I shouldn’t eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often should I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How do I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit the office during treatment?

For most patients, visits to Carcara Orthodontics every four to six weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

If you have additional questions about the Invisalign treatment, please give us a call at our convenient Westwood, NJ office.