Until now, the alternatives to straighten front teeth involved either long and expensive orthodontic treatments or destructive and expensive restorative treatments such as veneers and crowns. Even ultrathin veneers involved heavy reduction on natural teeth when used to align crowding or protrusion.

Orthodontic interventions can help to correct misalignments, but there are many challenges to traditional orthodontic care. Appliances to straighten the teeth act slowly with treatment traditionally lasting for months to years. During that time, many people find it difficult to continue to eat as usual, and oral health often suffers, as brushing and flossing are more difficult due to the permanent placement of brackets and wires on the teeth.

The Inman Aligner is a novel treatment for misalignments of the anterior teeth. A cost-effective, removable orthodontic appliance, the device aligns crowded or protruded anterior teeth with two opposing spring loaded aligner bows that fit over the front teeth exerting both outward and inward pressure. The opposing pressures gently move the teeth, and the device features nickel titanium coil springs that can be tightened to allow the device to exert the precise amount of pressure needed for proper realignment.

Virtually undetectable when in place, the Inman Aligner can produce results in just 6 to 16 weeks, dramatically shortening the duration of orthodontic treatment. Unlike traditional braces, the appliance can be removed for eating and for brushing and flossing.

Explaining why he chose to add the Inman Aligner to the services at his Troy-based dental practice, Dr. Manolis Thanasas said, "The Inman Aligner offers patients the benefits of gentle correction for misalignments and produces results quicker than other orthodontic interventions. Because it is removable, patients are able to maintain a higher level of oral health throughout treatment than what is often possible with traditional braces."

To offer the Inman Aligner, Dr. Thanasas completed a certification program, and he is the only dentist in Troy to currently hold this credential. Prospective patients can schedule a consultation to find out if they are candidates for orthodontic treatment with the Inman Aligner. After initial consultation and fitting appointments, patients return every 2 to 3 weeks to Thanasas Family Dental Care to have the device checked and tightened as needed.

Those interested in learning more about the Inman Aligner should contact Thanasas Family Dental Care for an appointment with Dr. Thanasas.

About Thanasas Family Dental Care and Manolis Thanasas, DDS:

Thanasas Family Dental Care is a full-service family dental practice located in Troy, Mich. Manolis Thanasas, DDS, owns the practice and provides a variety of services for patients, including general dentistry, dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers and teeth whitening. Dr. Thanasas is a 1997 graduate of the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Dentistry and holds a Doctorate in Dental Surgery. He also completed a residency in hospital dentistry at the Medical College of Ohio and courses in the latest dental technologies at the prestigious Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Thanasas is certified in LUMINEERS, CLEAR CORRECT Clear Aligner Therapy and the Inman Aligner. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, the Detroit District Dental Society, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.