Patient Care & Technology

Custom Treatment

We don’t believe that “brands” and “systems” create amazing smiles. Great doctors and great patients do. The most important factors in achieving excellent outcomes are the expertise and talent of the orthodontist and his team, and the cooperation of the patient. Besides, discussions of brands and systems are boring.  If Dr. Wes recommends orthodontic treatment, here are your options: 

• Braces – clear and metal options are available. Braces and wires are effective and efficient at aligning teeth and are a great choice for most patients. Proper cleaning and cooperation are super important while wearing braces.   

• Invisalign – clear, thin plastic trays worn as an alternative to braces to straighten teeth.  Invisalign is the most well-known brand of aligners on the market today. With Invisalign, as with all aligner options, successful treatment is almost entirely dependent on excellent patient compliance wearing aligners. 

• Dr. Wes Custom Aligners – in addition to Invisalign, we offer an aligner option Dr. Wes produces completely in-house.  By using digital impressions, outcome simulation and aligner staging software, 3D printing and aligner fabrication, all done within our office, we are able to eliminate the substantial fees charged by aligner manufacturing companies and provide a cost effective alternative to some patients based on the severity of the misalignment.

Some patients benefit from other appliances in addition to, or instead of, braces or aligners. Retainers, palatal expanders, space maintainers, headgear, and functional appliances (for bite correction) may also be explained and recommended. 

Our Technology Options

Dr. Wes has a simple rule when it comes to selecting technologies for our patients:  If it actually improves care and comfort – we use it. If it doesn’t – we don’t. Here are the technologies that made the cut: 

Digital intra-oral scanning

The iTero Element scanner as a replacement for messy impressions or molds.  Digital scanning allows us to efficiently capture 3D images of a patient’s teeth and supporting tissue with amazing accuracy and precision in a much more comfortable and pleasant way.  3D imaging is important to successful diagnosis, planning, and treatment delivery. Learn more here. 

3D printing

It's pretty cool. We can print 3D models of your teeth from your scan in our office, and you can see it happen! These models are used in a number of ways to improve patient care including diagnosis and treatment planning, treatment simulations, and fabrication of aligners, retainers, and other appliances.  

Digital 3D outcome customization and robotic wire-bending

Patients are different. We treat them that way.  We use an amazing software tool called SureSmile to digitally plan customized smiles and bites specific to each individual patient. From each digital plan we are then able to produce aligners or robotically bent wires to deliver predictable, accurate, and efficient results. Learn more here. 

More info

We know there is a lot of information out there and you may have questions. Please check out our patient resources page for links to useful information and our Q&A section for answers to some common questions. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know, we’re happy to help!