Here at Hatcher and Frey Orthodontics, we believe that orthodontic treatment should be comfortable, and not drag on for years.
Longer treatment times make it difficult for patients to stay motivated, and the presence of fixed appliances in the mouth for extended periods can increase the strain placed on your teeth and gums due to increased plaque retention.
But when patients choose to use the Ember Light Therapy Device during their orthodontic treatment, their experience is enhanced to be as comfortable and efficient as possible.
The Ember Light Therapy Device is a hands-free device that uses soothing infrared lights to stimulate a patient’s teeth and gums – leading to a healthier, faster and more comfortable treatment.
Ultimately, the complexity of your case and your individual biology are the limiting factors in treatment; however, our Ember Light Therapy Device allows our patients to not only have the most comfortable experience possible – but cut treatment times up to 50%.
Ember Light Therapy devices are part of our Smile Upgrades offerings and can be added into your treatment at all three of our locations in Western Branch, Great Bridge, and Norfolk.
Orthodontic treatment is a biologic process that involves changes to the structure and form of your jaws, and the bone and tissue surrounding your teeth. Thus, cellular pathways responsible for bone and tissue healing play a definitive role in achieving a favorable treatment response. The use of light, physiologically responsible forces in treatment allow for optimal functioning of these cellular pathways, but in the past orthodontists had no means of boosting biology without invasive surgical procedures. Fortunately, technology that has previously been in use for decades to treat numerous conditions from osteoporosis to healing broken bones is now being applied to orthodontic treatment, allowing us to safely enhance the cellular response.
Using these hands-free devices in combination with either braces or Invisalign for just 5-10 minutes each day, has been shown in studies to boost your body’s response to orthodontic treatment. It also has several more advantages, including:
Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics has recognized the tremendous value of these therapies in providing better care for patients of all ages. However, this therapy is especially beneficial for adults, whose biology has slowed down, and one reason why we offer this as an option to all our adult orthodontic patients.
Dr. Frey is a leading authority on accelerated orthodontics, the inventor of the Ember Light Therapy Oral Care Device, and we are the most experienced provider of enhanced orthodontic technology in the region. With these tools, we can provide patients with our signature smiles in as little as 5 months.
The Ember Light Therapy Device is an FDA-cleared medical device that utilizes proprietary UV-Free, TripleWave™ LED technology to reveal a brighter, healthier smile for you in record time. Dr. Frey is the inventor of the Ember Light Therapy System and we are excited about how this technology can elevate care for our patients.
Soothing infrared and red lights, which are medically proven to increase circulation, enhance gum health, and relieve pain, work together with intense blue lights to target oral bacteria and accelerate the tooth whitening process. As the low levels of light energy are absorbed, cellular metabolism and many important physiological signaling pathways are enhanced. Studies have shown that this safe bio-stimulation using light accelerates treatment by up to 50%. The soothing energy of the LED lights can be felt as a gentle warmth on your teeth and gums during treatment.
Your Ember Light Therapy® device comes in a box complete with instructions, a USB charging cord, and travel case. Before using your Ember Light Therapy Device for the first time, you’ll plug in and charge the control device. Once fully charged, you can connect the control unit to the LED mouthpiece and begin your treatments. Press the activation button with the Ember Logo and toggle between the light stimulation settings to the one recommended by your doctor and then gently place the device in your mouth around your existing orthodontic appliances or Invisalign until it is sitting comfortably around your dental arch.
You may bite down gently on the mouthpiece. The treatment session will end automatically after 5mins. If recommended by your doctor, you may flip the device and repeat the process to treat the other dental arch. Before returning your Ember back to case, uncouple the control unit from the mouthpiece. That is all it takes for Ember to light the way to a new smile in half the time.
"We recently moved to the Chesapeake area and needed an orthodontist that could continue treatment for our two kiddos. Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics made our transition seamless and even provided an Invisalign option. The staff is amazing and the facilities are top notch!"
"This is an OUTSTANDING team of dental professionals. We are greeted with smiles every time and wait less than 5 minutes to be called back for our appointment. This is EXCEPTIONAL when compared to the usual, long waiting room wait in MANY practices. The changing seasonal themes is always surprising and enjoyable. THIS IS NOT THE USUAL MEDICAL FACILITY OFTEN VISITED. Doctors Frey and Hatcher are personable, very friendly and HAPPY to work with their patients. Theirs is the most pleasant office to visit and this team is competent and approachable all the time. I'd GIVE THEM A 10 if I could!"
"We absolutely LOVE Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics. I have 3 daughters who went through braces for about ten years (2002-2012). Now, I am wearing Invisalign. They have been consistently professional and offer the very best care. I highly recommend them."
"We love Dr. Hatcher and Dr. Frey! They are super thorough when you go in for an evaluation, and give you pricing up front. I visited a different local orthodontist, who wouldn’t give a price until after we started... they are detailed in the plan and the outcome is terrific! It is a wonderful practice with an amazing team! I highly recommend them!!"
"I can't tell you how astonished I was with the customer service, everyone here is affectionate, and kind. I feel respected and important here. I am a current patient with crowding problems; Invisalign was what I went with because It doesn't seem too much of a chore to keep up with rather than braces. Thanks Dr. Hatcher for your stunning care; I know I'm in good hands and can't wait to see a different smile in the near future. I hope if you've read this far you choose to come here even if you live far away; it's definitely worth the drive. I would recommend this to anyone who is in need of an orthodontist."
"Got my braces off today after 29 months of wearing them. When I came to Dr. Hatcher back in June 2017, my teeth looked like they were beat by Negan's bat, Lucille, from TWD. Today, I am a brand new person that has been cured of my zombie teeth apocalypse! Thank you Dr Hatcher, Shawna, and the rest of the staff! Your hard work has paid off and will not be forgotten. I will think of you every time I smile."
"Five stars I scheduled a consult after seeing photos of Dr Frey’s cases with early development utilizing Invisalign. I also felt orthodontics should start early not late and I wanted the best for my 5yr old twins. I was blown away with Dr Frey’s clinical skills, understanding of sleep apnea in children, his updated technology and ability to do digital scans instead of impressions totally shows his education and expertise, but my biggest compliment was how well they treated my family. It’s care that is surpasses any practice I’ve seen. Thank you for educating us and giving us a sound treatment plan."
"Dr. Hatcher is wonderful and the staff is exceptional! We have had a very positive experience here with both of our daughters. They go above and beyond and I recommend them to anyone who is looking for an orthodontist. They make you feel like family and the kids love going to their appointments. State of the art technology is used to transform smiles from good to great!"
"Dr. Scott Frey is an amazing Orthodontist and very caring. The most important thing which many people don't understand is it's not just straightening your teeth but knowing your bite is right for the lifetime of functioning. It's well worth the investment and time to do it right, so it won't cost you even more down the road. I give him 5 stars!"
"What a great experience! We were referred to Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics by our pediatric dentist’s office and they are very helpful and professional. Couldn't have had a better team to help my now 13-year-old achieve her perfect smile."