“Our goals and ideals haven’t changed, but the tools available for visualizing, treatment planning, and moving teeth have radically improved,” says Dr. Soleil Roberts, a board-certified craniofacial orthodontist and owner of Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville. Practicing alongside her father and mentor, Dr. Bill Roberts, and former UW Orthodontics peer Dr. Yelena Akselrod, the team at Soleil Orthodontics prides themselves on collaborative care based on each patients’ personal goals.

For example, on every patient, Dr. Soleil’s team utilizes 3D X-ray technology, 3D printing, and two intraoral scanners as part of diagnosis and treatment planning. Most popular with patients is the intraoral scanner, which is used to create a digital mold of a patient’s mouth, replacing the goopy alginate impressions of the past. “The whole experience is comfortable, fast, and clean,” says Dr. Soleil. That digital file is sent to a 3D printer in the office to make same-day orthodontic retainers and other appliances.

Invisalign, a transparent, removable alternative to traditional braces, is another significant part of Dr. Soleil’s practice that is a huge change from the way orthodontists operated in prior generations.  Dr. Soleil’s father would know; Dr. Bill has been an orthodontist for over 40 years.  “He was one of the first practitioners to use Invisalign shortly after the FDA approved it in 1998,” says Dr. Soleil.  “He’s one of the most experienced orthodontists in the country, and he’s taught me virtually everything I know about Invisalign’s effective use in straightening teeth. Together we have used Invisalign in very creative ways to treat nearly every type of smile and bite.”

Digital imaging advances have benefits that take advantage of Dr. Soleil’s perfectionist nature. “With Invisalign, the orthodontist does all of the 3D planning online,” says Dr. Soleil.  “I can digitally manipulate each tooth individually to achieve the perfect bite and smile aesthetics.”

Dr. Soleil is quick to note that orthodontics is not only about getting a beautiful smile because misaligned teeth are more difficult to clean, but they also wear down more quickly and can affect chewing, speech, and swallowing patterns. “3D imaging reveals many dental anomalies and provides information on specific tooth position that 2D imaging cannot,” says Dr. Soleil. “It has definitely improved my ability to predict tooth movement, diagnose dental pathology, and customize patient care.”

There are other benefits to 3D oral imaging that go beyond dental care. Dr. Soleil remains involved in the community, in part, by teaching in the Graduate Orthodontic Department at the University of Washington. She is also the team orthodontist for the Puget Sound Cleft Lip/Palate and Complex Sleep Clinic. A common issue she treats is obstructive sleep apnea, a physiological condition in which soft tissue blocks the airway during sleep, often causing snoring and poor sleep quality.  At her practice, Dr. Soleil treats both pediatric and adult sleep apnea patients. “We always take into account the airway of our patients when developing a treatment plan,” says Soleil.  “There are countless benefits to getting enough oxygen while you sleep, and there are ways that orthodontics can make permanent improvements in airway volume. Our 3D X-rays allow us to visualize these airway changes in addition to seeing our treatment effects on the jaws and teeth.”

For additional information, contact Dr. Soleil at www.soleilorthodontics.com or call (425) 598-0600.