Having a smile that lights up a room can
spread not only joy
to others, but also confidence to its wearer as well. That’s why orthodontic specialists like Dr. Michelle
Couto of Coquitlam Family Orthodontics in Coquitlam, B.C., and Ridge Meadows Orthodontics in Maple Ridge,
B.C., have dedicated their careers to improving the smiles — and the self-confidence — of patients.
Couto, who graduated from Nova Southeastern
University as a Doctor of Dental Medicine, and then from Loma Linda University with a masters in orthodontics
and dentofacial orthopedics, has been providing the especially popular Invisalign treatment for
patients seeking a straighter smile since 2006. As an independent orthodontist with the highly respected BC
Orthodontics Group, she has also been recognized with the honour of being an Invisalign Elite Provider. As an
additional demonstration of Couto’s popularity, the BC Orthodontics Group as a whole was also recently chosen
as the Consumer Choice Award winners for “Best Orthodontists” in Vancouver.
“Invisalign is considered to be a clear
alternative to traditional metal braces,” she says. “It consists of a series of custom-made, clear aligners
or trays that gradually move your teeth from their misaligned crooked positions to straighter, more ideal
positions.”
Each aligner is worn for a period of two weeks, progressively moving the teeth in small increments. As Couto
says, teeth move best with light, continuous forces, a method applied in both traditional braces and the
Invisalign system. With Invisalign, however, users get the added advantage of being able to remove the trays
to easily brush their teeth, and avoid any dietary restrictions.
“The main advantage between traditional braces and Invisalign is the level of comfort and convenience, and
above all, you look great while wearing them,” she says. “Invisalign allows you to attain the smile you have
longed for, without anyone even knowing. It offers more comfort than traditional braces and it doesn’t
interfere with your lifestyle. Invisalign helps you maintain healthier teeth and gums while straightening
your teeth, by making oral hygiene easier than if you were using traditional braces.”
The
effectiveness of the Invisalign method, though, is in fact quite dependent on the skill set of the
orthodontist, and not necessarily the system itself.
“Every
patient’s situation and expectations are different. The key is knowing which method to use in order to
achieve the best possible results for each individual patient,” she says. “Our offices provide a variety of
technologies to align teeth and improve bites. These include metal braces, clear braces, braces behind the
teeth, and a combination of [treatments] with Invisalign. Some cases are still best managed with
braces.”
To decide whether or not a patient is the ideal candidate for Invisalign, Couto and her team must evaluate a
number of important factors unique to each individual’s orthodontic needs. Some of these factors include the
patient’s upper and lower jaw relationships, the size of the upper and lower jaws, the severity of crowded
teeth, the health of the gum tissues, the need to remove extra teeth to create space for the remaining ones
and the age of the patient — to name a few. Before beginning any treatment, Couto discusses various
treatment options with the patient to decide which method will be the best to achieve their desired
smile.
“Most adults and now teens ask about Invisalign. Invisalign has been extremely beneficial to adults that work
in the public eye. It is virtually invisible and it doesn’t interfere with their hectic lifestyle. They can
carry out their lifestyle without it getting in the way, affecting their speech or making them feel
self-conscious,” she says.
For teenagers, the system has also been adapted into Invisalign Teen, a specialized treatment that uses the
same mechanics, but is customized for the lifestyle needs of the everyday teen.
“Invisalign works best with good care and compliance,” says Couto. “Invisalign Teen has integrated
complicated indicators on each set of aligners, allowing us to track each teen’s compliance. They also allow
for six free replacement aligners, just in case an aligner is lost or thrown in the garbage during lunch.
Invisalign Teen also accommodates the growing
teen by integrating new advancements into their aligners, for even better results.”
For any teenager, the issue of
self-consciousness is an everyday struggle, but with Invisalign Teen, Couto says many teenage patients’
self-confidence improves.
“Teens with low self-esteem want that beautiful
smile, but don’t want traditional braces because they are scared of any ridicule by their peers,” she says.
“Mom loves that they can still help their teens achieve that smile, without them being afraid of what their
peers might say. Plus, it is pretty cool! Invisalign is not only helping people achieve that desired smile,
but once their teeth are aligned, this helps them maintain healthier teeth and gums.”
Whether or not a patient is a good candidate
for the Invisalign treatment, Couto and her team are dedicated to finding the right way to help patients
achieve the smile that they desire.
“The team here — including our patients — is truly
like a family. We care for the individual, helping each patient understand what their best treatment options
are and helping them choose the best method to achieve their desired result,” says Couto.
“For Lifestyler readers
and their families, we are offering free consultations and X-rays as needed, for those interested in
Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and even traditional braces. Please call one of our office locations and mention
Lifestyler magazine. We look forward to creating beautiful and confident smiles!”
» coquitlamfamilyorthodontics.com
604-949-0654
» ridgemeadowsorthodontics.com
604-463-1125
Patient
Testimonials
“Invisalign has given me great results so far
in my treatment (I am about two-thirds of my way through). Invisalign is easy to maintain, easy to put into
place, and easy to remove. It is comfortable to wear and almost invisible.
“As far as being a patient, I will be sad when my treatment is over, as Coquitlam Family Orthodontics has
absolutely wonderful staff and I look forward to coming by for my next appointment with them.”
— Joanne
“I started Invisalign treatment 10 months ago and I have nothing but great things to say about it.
Invisalign is extremely easy to use and my teeth look great already! The staff at Coquitlam Family
Orthodontics and Dr. Couto are very down to earth and they make you feel very comfortable. They truly make
you feel like ‘family’ and I look forward to each visit.”
— Camila Slusarczyk
“Dr. Couto and the staff at Coquitlam Family Orthodontics are absolutely great. I always feel very welcomed
and they always make me feel right at home. I have only just started my treatment and the results so far are
amazing. I am very happy I chose Coquitlam Family Orthodontics for my orthodontic treatment.”
— Tyler Nydam
“Our experience with Coquitlam Family Orthodontic
was great. I have been there many times with my family. Dr. Couto and staff are very welcoming and they
provide excellent services. The place is very unique not [to mention] they are very nice to everyone. I am
very glad that such a welcoming place has opened in the area and I would strongly recommend them to any of my
relatives and friends.”
— Minan
“Our experience with Coquitlam Family Orthodontics and Dr. Couto has been AMAZING! Our nine-year-old daughter
was very scared and emotional for the first visit but the wonderful staff and Dr. Couto very quickly made her
feel comfortable and actually quite excited about treatment. They spoke directly to her and described
everything so she understood — they were caring and just plain wonderful! Now our daughter looks forward to
every visit — she literally can’t wait! The contests and prizes are ‘awesome’ (daughter’s words) and all the
special little things they do for their patients is really a treat. The facility itself is bright and has a
very fun, calm, relaxed atmosphere — the best part is you really are treated like family! I have referred
others to Dr. Couto and will continue doing so.”
— Shelley Stephens •
