Everything you should know about Invisalign: Interview with Dr. James Ko

With his passion for creating confident smiles and his extensive expertise in orthodontics, Dr. Ko has earned a reputation in Markham for delivering outstanding results and personalized care to all of his patients. As an Invisalign specialist, he is well-versed in the latest advancements in clear aligner technology.

We sat down with Dr. Ko to learn more about his dedication to patient satisfaction and his commitment to enhancing oral health and aesthetics through Invisalign treatment

Q1: Nice to meet you, Dr. Ko! To get to know you, can you take us through your experience in the dental industry and how you got involved in Invisalign treatment?

Pleasure to meet you as well! My journey in the dental industry began when I graduated from the University of Toronto in 2014 with a degree in dentistry. Since then, I've been dedicated to expanding my knowledge and skills by completing many different continuing education courses, and after starting my own general practice, I discovered my passion for surgery, cosmetic dentistry, and the transformative potential of Invisalign treatment.

When it comes down to it, my focus has always been on helping patients understand the broader benefits of Invisalign beyond cosmetic dentistry. Invisalign has the potential to make a major change in your dental health, from aligning your teeth properly to improving your bite and overall well-being.

Q2: Yes, you're certainly right. For new patients who don't know much about Invisalign but are curious about their treatment, how would you explain Invisalign?

When I explain Invisalign to my patients, I always start off by outlining that Invisalign uses clear, custom-fit aligners to apply gentle pressure and gradually move your teeth, instead of the hassle of traditional brackets and wires that come with braces. Since the aligners are removable and virtually invisible, Invisalign can handle almost any case, and even tends to be faster than traditional braces when it comes to most patients.

Q3: And how would you say the evolution of digital dentistry has affected Invisalign's treatment capabilities?

With Invisalign, computer-designed trays can guide your teeth with perfect precision, instead of the manual movement required by braces. Not only does this reduce chances for error during your placement, but now, instead of making traditional moulds of your teeth during an uncomfortable procedure, all we need is a few quick digital scans. We can also generate before-and-after photos, along with your treatment plan, to help you be much more informed about your care as it's happening.

Q4: Those really are some exciting advancements – it sounds like technology can open up a whole new world for patient care. For patients wondering whether or not they should consider Invisalign treatment to improve their teeth, what would you advise?

That's a tough question – the whole point of Invisalign is to address your exact dental needs, so it would depend on the severity of your case and the specific tooth movements you're looking for. My advice would be to make sure you communicate with your dentist and understand your goals and expectations before making any changes to your treatment, and to keep in mind that for the treatment to work, you have to really commit to wearing your aligners every day.

Q5: Bouncing off that, what are some potential complications that might arise from Invisalign treatments?

There are definitely a few complications you should keep an eye out for if you're undergoing Invisalign treatment, especially when it comes to pre-existing issues you might have, like gum disease, since this can loosen your teeth, or jaw pain if you've dealt with TMJ – that is, temporomandibular joint – disorder in the past. I should point out, though, that Invisalign can also improve the jaw pain that comes with TMJ if you adjust your aligners correctly.

Q6: Amazing. On a final note, a lot of patients nowadays are interested in Invisalign as a way to improve the cosmetic appearance of their teeth. What would you say to patients looking into Invisalign as a cosmetic dentistry option?

It's very much true that Invisalign can enhance the cosmetic appearance of your teeth, but I always take the time to emphasize to my patients that the primary focus of Invisalign is on improving your oral health, not your appearance.

For example, Invisalign helps distribute chewing forces more evenly among your teeth, preventing unnecessary discomfort, damage, wear, and even gum disease. Invisalign can also address functional concerns, like opening up the arch of your teeth if it's constricted to create more room for your tongue.