Inivsalign Teen Toronto: Mom Blogger Straight Talk #InvisalignTO

What a wonderful event hosted by Mom Central Canada and Kathy Buckworth at Brassaii on King West.  I had the opportunity to speak to about 25 mom bloggers from all over the Toronto area about Invisalign Teen.

My treatment coordinator in the Stouffville office, Mandy, joined me for the evening, along with our President's Circle Invisalign representative, Craig MacIntyre.  I was also fortunate enough to have a few patients and their mothers join us in case the bloggers wanted to ask questions about their experiences.

We started off with some technical difficulties in getting the projector to work, but after switching a few laptops and ultimately, a cable, all systems were a go.  After a half eaten, but great dinner, it was showtime.

I know a lot of speakers for Invisalign and many of them tout aesthetics, generating income from new patients, and getting that movie star smile without braces.  Unfortunately, the marketing for Invisalign is far ahead of the training and skill level of most doctors.  Certainly aesthetics are an important part of Invisalign treatment, but as health care professionals, we have to remember that there are health aspects to orthodontic treatment that cannot be overlooked, just because our patients are seeking a specific treatment type.  My goal was to present an analytical and informative session so that parents can make the right decision for their teens, rather than basing it on smoke and mirrors.

Here are the key points from the evening:

• Invisalign has been used with over 1.4M patients
• Invisalign Teen was developed in 2009 with specific needs of teens in mind
• Benefits of Invisalign Teen include improved oral hygiene, no restrictions on eating, superior aesthetics, and the opportunity to teach teens responsibility.
• Orthodontic consultations are recommended at age 7.  Generally, this is when the upper front teeth have come in.  Dental development, rather than chronological age is the more important determining factor
• Many orthodontists offer complimentary consultations
• A referral from a dentist is not required to get an appointment with the orthodontist
• When thinking about medical procedures, everyone would prefer to go with a specialist for specialist work.  The same should apply to dental procedures, including orthodontic treatment.
• Orthodontic insurance will cover Invisalign and braces.
• It's more correct to ask "Can you correct my teeth with Invisalign?" than to ask "What can Invisalign correct?", since the skill and experience of the doctor will determine your final results.
• Invisalign isn't only for Teens.  If your teeth, gums, and bone are healthy, it is never too late for orthodontic treatment.
• Excellent dental resources include the Invisalign website, American Association of Orthodontists, Canadian Association of Orthodontists, your primary care dentist, online forums, and the Toronto Invisalign site.

I really enjoyed meeting a number of the mom bloggers and it was nice to be asked to work on future segments with them.  I learned a few things about parenting from them and will also be looking at a Disney cruise on the advice of Jen Reynolds :).  Overall a great evening!

-Dr. Tam

March Break Activities in Markham and Richmond Hill from your Unionville Orthodontist

With the holiday season long gone, our Markham braces and Invisalign patients all tell us that they can't wait for March Break! Some are lucky enough to go away to places like Florida, the Dominican, Cuba, and Mexico, while others will be at home in Markham, looking for things to do.

Don't forget that it is a great time to schedule your braces and Invisalign consultation with us while the kids are off school! Traditionally, March Break is one of the busiest times of year at Markham Centre Orthodontics. Teens are especially excited about Invisalign Teen, an orthodontic technique for straightening teeth without braces. Call 905-477-7750 or request an appointment online.

Here's are some links to some other programs that will be happening around Markham. Remember to relax, stay safe, and have fun!

March Break in Markham

March Break in York Region

Markham Invisalign Team Member Mandy Discusses “What is Invisalign Teen?”

While many Markham dentists and Unionville and Richmond Hill orthodontists have advertised this product, most patients still don’t know what makes Invisalign Teen different from regular Invisalign. Teen was introduced to the worldwide market in 2009. Dr. Tam and his team at Markham Centre Orthodontics was one of the offices selected to be in the pilot project to develop the product. To date, there are only 4 orthodontic practices in the Greater Toronto Area designated as Invisalign Teen Providers, in Mississauga, downtown Toronto, and us in Markham.

Watch as Mandy describes Invisalign Teen’s new features. Stay tuned to watch her undergo her own Invisalign treatment!

Markham and Toronto Invisalign Braces: Toronto and Markham's Dr. Tam presents an Invisalign Teen Video

Teens these days have their own lifestyle. They don't have cell phones, they have smart phones like blackberries and iphones. They may not have lunch... instead they do lunch. They have activities like sports, music, proms, grad pics, and Facebook. Our Markham and Toronto teenagers are much more savvy and know what they want. They want straight teeth but not necessarily the traditional route of braces.


Invisalign isn't only for adults anymore! Dr. Tam was part of the pilot project to develop Invisalign Teen, and is one of the most experienced Markham and Toronto Invisalign Teen providers in Greater Toronto. This product was only launched worldwide at the beginning of March, while some of our Markham and Toronto Invisalign Teen patients have already finished their treatment.

Here is what is different with Toronto Invisalign Teen:

-compliance indicators to gauge approximate wear time
-power ridges for lingual root torque of upper front teeth
-eruption tabs to compensate for the fact that not all teeth may be fully in
-six replacement aligners to reduce the worry over lost aligners

Keep in mind that as with the regular Markham and Toronto Invisalign product, not all people are candidates. However, with these new features, we have now expanded to provide a product made especially for teens who want Invisalign in Toronto and Markham.

Here's a little video to show you why you should visit Markham Centre Orthodontics and ask about Markham and Toronto Invisalign Teen!



Call (905)477-7750 for your complimentary orthodontic consultation with braces and Invisalign in Markham, Toronto, Unionville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Stouffville, York Region, Downtown Markham, North York, Thornhill, and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area. Let Markham Centre Orthodontics show you the Secret Behind Markham and Greater Toronto's Best Smiles!

Your Markham and Greater Toronto Orthodontist is Invited to the Invisalign Summit

This past weekend, Dr. Tam attended the annual Invisalign Summit at the Sands Expo and Conference Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Summit is a wonderful opportunity for the most experienced Invisalign orthodontists to share ideas and information that can be implemented in their offices. This in turn results in greater quality results, while reducing treatment times for you, our patients. Dr. Tam was honoured to be invited back for a second consecutive year.

Dr. Tam by the 2008 Invisalign Summit schedule of lectures and events.

Malocclusions, bad bites, and crooked teeth that were once thought treatable only with braces are now increasingly being corrected with Invisalign. Keep in mind that as with conventional braces, the ability of your orthodontist to straighten your teeth with Invisalign requires careful planning and individualization. However, because Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners, additional knowledge on the way teeth move differently with Invisalign than braces is essential. General dentists and orthodontists can become certified in Invisalign by taking a one-day course. You should feel confident with having treatment at MCO, as Dr. Tam has extensive experience with Invisalign, including treatment on local Markham and Greater Toronto dentists, their family, and even himself!

Many of our teenagers, parents, and adults wish to have straight teeth, but without the embarrassment and discomfort of braces. Dr. Tam and Markham Centre Orthodontics are committed to delivering a "clear" solution to our patients whenever possible. Of note, Dr. Tam was a part of the Invisalign Teen pilot project, a new Invisalign appliance that has allowed more of our teen-aged patients to have a "wireless" treatment. We also know that many parents would love to have straight teeth, but would never think of getting braces. Invisalign has given us the ability to allow our parents to smile widely alongside their children!

Dr. Tam in front of the Invisalign Teen display. Markham Centre Orthodontics was a part of the Invisalign Teen pilot project.

If you are considering Invisalign in Markham and Greater Toronto, we hope you see Markham Centre Orthodontics as your experienced Invisalign orthodontist. Please feel free to contact us for your complimentary, no-obligation consultation. We look forward to meeting your needs to help you achieve that beautiful, straight smile you've always wanted.

Markham and Greater Toronto Invisalign Treatment... Your Markham and Greater Toronto Orthodontist Proudly Offers Invisalign and Invisalign Teen!

Here is a brief video about Invisalign treatment, an orthodontic alternative to straightening teeth without braces.

Invisalign® is a series of removable appliances called Aligners. Incrementally, the Aligners move your teeth and straighten them. They are removable, but to be effective, the Invisalign Aligners have to be worn for at least 22 hours per day. This discipline required to wear the Aligners is far outweighed by its advantages. They are not easily seen by your friends, family and colleagues, more comfortable to the lips, and cheeks, and can be removed for ease of eating, brushing, and flossing.

Moms and dads, if you've ever wanted to have straight teeth as you've provided for your children, but wanted to avoid wearing any wires, here's a wonderful opportunity to do so without the use of braces. The next time you are in the office, speak to us about how you can go wireless!

Our office is proud to be one of the most experienced Invisalign providers in the Markham and Greater Toronto area and first offices in North America to offer and initiate treatment using the new Invisalign Teen product.

Invisalign is a fantastic treatment, but a firm understanding about the way teeth are moved with Aligners versus braces is extremely important. While many dentists and orthodontists can be Certified Invisalign Providers by taking a one day course, Dr. Tam has attended numerous continuing education courses about Invisalign, including the by-invitation-only Invisalign Summit in Las Vegas. He has been invited to go back again this coming November. We have proudly treated local dentists, their dental staff, and family members with Invisalign.

Dr. Tam works with Invisalign as well as other aesthetic orthodontic options. Invisalign is a great treatment method and gets great results. However, not everyone can be treated with Invisalign. You should see Dr. Tam for an examination to determine if you are a candidate. He will also make you aware of all the aesthetic orthodontic alternatives before choosing to proceed with Invisalign®, such as "clear" brackets, veneers, or crowns. Note that sometimes traditional braces and appliances must be used before or after treatment with Invisalign®.

Let us help you make an informed decision to suit your treatment needs. Call us to find out how you can make MCO your experienced Invisalign Orthodontist for Markham, Unionville, Thornhill, Ajax, Pickering, North York, York Region, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Toronto, Stouffville, and the GTA.