7645 Gate Parkway, #103, Jacksonville, FL 32256
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Almost everyone has something about their smile that they are unhappy with, and most of the time, it's due to misalignment. There are several types of misalignment, and the severity can range from very mild to severe.
Dental Arts of Florida in Jacksonville offers a few options for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign clear aligners. In this article, we'll explain more about what Invisalign is, how it works, and so much more.
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces for treating a variety of mild to moderate malocclusions. In some cases, this treatment can be used for more severe malocclusions in conjunction with attachments, which are little resin buttons that are placed on the teeth to secure the aligners in place.
The treatment consists of a series of clear, custom-fitted aligners designed to put gentle pressure on the teeth to shift them into their appropriate position within the mouth. Most patients see full results in 12 to 18 months.
Invisalign treatment is not recommended for everyone.
We primarily recommend it for older teens and adults. Since compliance and responsibility are necessary, we do not recommend using this treatment with younger patients.
While Invisalign can be used by patients with more severe orthodontic issues, these often require the use of attachments.
Invisalign has been proven effective for mild to moderate crossbites, overbites, and underbites.
The Invisalign treatment process is a fairly easy one- especially once you have the aligners.
The first step to any type of orthodontic treatment is a consultation appointment. The dentist will perform a comprehensive exam and take images. Your expectations for treatment will also be discussed.
In addition to the above, the dentist will ask you about your oral and overall health, including your oral hygiene habits. If you do not take proper care of your teeth, we may recommend against Invisalign.
The information collected during the consultation will be used to create your personalized treatment plan. Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day for 1 to 3 weeks each, depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion.
Your treatment plan and images will be sent to the dental lab for the creation of your custom-fitted aligners. When the aligners are sent back to the office you will schedule an appointment to ensure that they fit and be sent home with the remainder of the aligners.
While you do not need to visit the office for adjustments, you will need to check in several times throughout your treatment to have your progress monitored. If your treatment is not going as expected, we may make some adjustments to your plan.
Once you have completed your treatment, you will be given a retainer to wear. You will need to follow the same rules that you did for your aligners at first. However, over time the amount of time required for the retainer will be reduced until you are only wearing it at night. This will prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original position.
Invisalign aligners offer several advantages over traditional braces, including:
Aligners are transparent, which means that most people won't notice that you are wearing them- even when they are up close. This is why Invisalign is such a popular choice among older teens and professional adults.
Since the aligners are made of smooth plastic instead of metal brackets and wires, you don't have to be concerned about scratching the inside of your mouth. Also, you don't have to visit the dentist every few weeks for adjustments.
Invisalign aligners are to be taken out when eating, so you don't have to give up your favorite foods. However, you will need to start taking a toothbrush with you so that you can clean your teeth after eating before you put your aligners back in.
Traditional braces make oral hygiene difficult. However, Invisalign aligners should be removed for brushing/flossing, which means you can continue to clean your teeth without any special tools or considerations.
On average, treatment with Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months. Patients with mild malocclusion often see results in as little as 6 months. Typically, traditional braces take 12 to 24- or even 36 months, depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion.
Maintaining your aligners is fairly easy, simply clean them once daily. Aftercare involves visiting the dentist twice yearly and wearing a retainer.
In order to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly, you'll need to keep your teeth and aligners clean. Every time you take your aligners out or put them back in, you'll need to rinse them under cool running water. Once daily, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently scrub them. This will remove any bacteria and plaque buildup to reduce your risk of developing tooth decay and/or gum disease.
You will need to visit the dentist a few times during treatment to ensure that you are progressing as expected. After completing treatment, you'll need to visit the dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning.
Once you have completed treatment, you will be given a retainer to wear. This will keep your teeth in their new position until the jawbone has secured them in place. You will need to wear it for 20 to 22 hours a day at first- but over time, the amount of time required will be reduced until you are only wearing it at night.
The cost of Invisalign treatment is comparable to traditional orthodontic methods. Our office staff will be happy to address any questions or concerns you have about paying for your treatment.
Invisalign treatment starts at $1,500 for a few aligners to treat a very mild malocclusion and goes up to $8,000 for unlimited aligners to treat more severe cases of malocclusion.
Dental Arts of Florida accepts a variety of standard payment options including cash, checks, money orders, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and Discover. We accept financing through CareCredit and will make financial arrangements for patients who need extensive work.
While Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment, there are many dental insurance providers that classify it as a cosmetic treatment because of its aesthetic value. However, there are some that will cover a portion of the treatment. Our office staff will work with your insurance provider to determine your coverage.
If you have mild to moderate malocclusion and want to know more about Invisalign and other orthodontic treatment options, schedule your consultation with the team at Dental Arts of Florida in Jacksonville today. Invisalign aligners are discreet, comfortable, and convenient, and offer a shorter treatment time than traditional braces.
The Dental Arts of Florida team understands that orthodontic treatment can be confusing. Therefore, we are happy to work with you and address any questions or concerns you may have. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we get from our patients.
On average, Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months. However, this varies depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion. Patients with a very mild malocclusion often see full results within 6 months, whereas patients with a more severe malocclusion may take up to 24 months.
Love the customer service and professionalism of the staff. Great location, convenient and typically able to get appointments in a matter of days.
Great office staff and exemplary care. Same day appointments for urgent issues and state of the art office. Also handles most dental concerns. Highly recommended.
I Thought Dr Trepidino was first class professional and knew what he was doing... Very polite. And kind. And his staff were gregarious folks as well..
Fantastic Staff, great job taking care of the patient to make sure they are comfortable at all times. Doctor is amazing. Can't say enough about this Dentist.
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Dr. Fred Tepedino comes from a long line of dentists spanning four generations. He received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Nova Southeastern University and graduated with Honors in Periodontology. Always furthering his education and abilities, Dr. Tepedino continued his surgical training to achieve a Fellowship with The International Dental Implant Association and training in Advanced Alveolar Reconstruction. Taking the time to listen to his patients and hear their perspective on their oral health and dental needs, Dr. Tepedino establishes trust and rapport with them. Ever a perfectionist, Dr. Tepedino provides a high level of care and skill that truly set his practice apart.
