Relocating to New Jersey from London requires a great deal of research when you have children. I moved countries many times BC & compared to this it was a doddle, an adventure, rather fun actually. Even the difficulties were kind of exciting in an obscene death-defying way. I used to enjoy flying by the seat of my pants but nooooo, not any more. Not now. Nope it aint no fun no more. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Life choices change when you drop three kids into the picture…

As every parent knows, you’re only as happy as your unhappiest child. Therefore to avoid unnecessary upset I research. Essentially there are two important details that directly impact the children – School & healthcare. Our worry about school mostly concerned Jaspers special education needs whereas healthcare is more about Kiara. Firstly because she suffers from asthma & uses a ventolin inhaler every day. Secondly, she was only three months into her orthodontic treatment when we left. Kiara has metal braces on her upper & lower teeth to correct an over-bite & crowding as she doesn’t have enough space for all her adult teeth. This specialist dental work will take two years of wearing braces followed by two years with a retainer.

To say Mark & I were ill prepared for the healthcare system in America is a gross understatement so I’ll save that for another time. For today’s post I want to tell you about our incredibly positive experience with dental care here in New Jersey. Now as I mentioned, Kiki needed to see an orthodontist regularly to continue her treatment which was in its early stages. She wasn’t enjoying it at all but we knew no better & just figured that was what she had to tolerate for straight teeth.

Kiki endured regular ulcers & cuts from the metal, her lips were often sore & sometimes even swollen. She encountered loose brackets three times in three months so including the regular tightening required, she’d already seen the orthodontist five times! Appointments were so relentless it felt like the practice had a revolving door. Add to that the complicated cleaning that Kiki often neglected & it’s fair to say her braces were a pain in every sense of the word. Never the less I was incredibly grateful to the wonderful NHS for 100% covering her entire treatment.

However things are very different in America so I was anxious to find good dental care for Kiki as soon as possible. The last thing I wanted was an emergency appointment with some random Orthodontist.

CLEMENTE ORTHODONTICS RIDGEWOOD

When we step into Clemente Orthodontics reception the kids immediately clock a row of shiny black ipads. All three turn to me with pure joy on their faces as if it’s Christmas morning. I had to laugh at their reaction & give major kudos to Clemente for the genius distraction. With my nod of approval the children are gone in a hot second. However it isn’t long before we’re shown to the treatment room by the super friendly Dental nurse. In fact the entire staff acknowledge all of us which serves to put Kiki at ease straight away. The state of the art treatment rooms are equally bright & welcoming. As she sits in the chair Kiki notices a remote control by her side. A flat screen T.V is conveniently placed high to occupy the nervous patient. Naturally she can’t help herself & clicks the T.V on. Guess what? Netflix! This practice is clearly designed with kids & teens in mind.

Kiki’s Netflix cruising is cut short when Dr Clemente appears. First she introduces herself to Kiara then me & asks us both what she can help us with today. I show her the notes from our previous Orthodontist then explain our move from the U.K. After Dr Clemente studies the notes & checks Kiki’s braces she asks if I’d considered Invisalign instead of metal.

Huh? What’s that now? I am totally clueless so Dr Clemente explains how Invisalign works while I listen transfixed, jaw on the floor. Oh.Em.Geee! Why have I not heard of Invisalign? This treatment sounds incredible! Then I look across at Kiki who has an enormous smile on her face. That says it all.

Evidently Kiara knew all about Invisalign & really REALLY wanted it. That’s the first I’d heard of it. Geez ya think you know someone right? “It’s sooo good Mummy!”

And so it was with tremendous relief & overwhelming joy of a twelve-year-old, that we connected with this brilliant family run practice.

Oh boy did we get lucky with Clemente Orthodontics! Not only America’s leading experts of Invisalign but also conveniently in the centre of our new hometown, Ridgewood!

6 REASONS WHY INVISALIGN IS BETTER THAN METAL BRACES

What are the differences between metal braces & Invisalign apart from the clever technology? You may be surprised to learn there are many. It’s also worth noting this treatment is ideal for adults who’d like straight teeth but hate the idea of metal. Now they can achieve the same results in half the time without the pain, embarrassment & inconvenience! As you can see this option is literally invisible & has zero impact on every day life. I mean I get it, who wants to walk around with train-tracks at 40 right?

1. COMFORT – When I say there may be some minor pain that’s over-stating it. Kiara experienced aching gums on the first day that was cured with two ibuprofen. On her first aligner change the following week she also experienced slight pain. However she declined the ibuprofen so I guess it was very mild. There may be times when a particular tray impacts more heavily causing minor pain but in 10 weeks, Kiki hasn’t experienced anything that bothers her since then. The teeth are adjusted individually per tray. It’s so gentle, the movement is imperceptible. Whereas metal braces affect every single tooth all at once.
2. AESTHETICS – Of course this is obvious, just look at the photos. But here’s the thing. Kiara was twelve when she started treatment, is now thirteen & will be fourteen when it’s completed. We all know how cruel hormones are in adolescence so why add insult to injury? My beautiful daughter barely smiled when the metal braces were in her mouth. You can see how awkward she is in the first two images. That’s completely genuine. Now check out the photos of her Invisalign. Kiara is less self-conscious, relaxed & definitely happier in general. I can tell you hand on heart I immediately noticed the change in her demeanor.
3. CLEANING – Kiki’s teeth are whiter with Invisalign simply because she’s able to clean them properly. We had so many arguments about her mouth hygiene when she had the metal braces that we simply don’t have now. All she has to do is temporarily remove the aligners to clean her teeth thoroughly with an electric toothbrush.
4. NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT – As you progress through treatment you see the correction unfolding before your eyes. We’ve already noticed the improvement in Kiara’s teeth! Every single aligner is specifically tailored to adjust the teeth according to your requirements, making the process gradual yet obvious. Clemente Orthodontists have been the authority on Invisalign since it’s inception twenty years ago so when they say nobody is unsuitable, I believe them.
5. EATING –  This refers to eating as well as socializing. If you’ve ever had metal braces or have a teen with them you know how debilitating they are in public. Cringey moments are a thing of the past with Invisalign. The food doesn’t get stuck in them because you remove the aligners to eat. After the meal, discreetly rinse your mouth with water & put your aligners back in. It’s so much easier & infinitely more comfortable! I can’t tell you how self-conscious Kiki was when we ate out before Invisalign. There’s really no comparison. Surprisingly, she never forgets to take her aligner box when we go out. She really has become independent to the task. Bless her, she has to remember two things now – the box & her inhaler.
6. CONVENIENCE – Speaking of independence, the beauty of this system is in the self-care. Kiki went home with six weeks of aligners to start. She changed them each week on the same day, keeping the one she removed in the unlikely event of future adjustment. But basically she just put the new one in & that was that. On her second visit to Clemente they confirmed she was doing well with the responsibility therefore stepped up to 12 aligners. In twelve weeks her next visit to Clemente will add more, making the appointments even further apart. Interruption to daily life is minimal with Invisalign as opposed to metal braces. No more tightening, no broken brackets or wires to contend with & not a single emergency appointment to date…YAY!

SMILES ALL ROUND

Kiara has grown-up a lot in the four months since we came to America. She turned thirteen & has made firm friends at her Middle School. But you know what I’ve noticed above all else? My girl smiles more. I truly believe it’s because she no longer has a mouth full of metal & that’s entirely down to Clemente Orthodontics. I have to tell you a funny story after Kiki’s last appointment – Lucia announced “I’ve decided I want to be an Orthodontist when I grow up!” How amazing is that? She’s eight! Have you ever heard an eight year old say they want to be an Orthodontist? Now if that’s not a massive vote of confidence for team Clemente I don’t know what is…

Keep smiling & bye for now my lovelies xx

*A big thank you to the marvelous Clemente Orthodontics for partnering on this post.

Clemente Orthodontics Ridgewood New Jersey Tel: (201) 447-2888 | New City New York Tel: (845) 638-6646