Invisalign – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Crowded Teeth

Unfortunately, overcrowding is something that can negatively impact everything from your self-esteem to your oral health. There is good news, though: Invisalign® can shift the teeth so they are no longer overlapping, improving your bite and reducing your risk of tooth decay in the process.

Important note: In some cases, extractions work along with the aligners to achieve optimum results. Other times, IPR (interproximal reduction) is used to create room in your mouth for your teeth to move.

Gaps Between Teeth

Like overcrowded teeth, gapped teeth can leave your gums vulnerable to damage from food. Plus, many people dislike the way such spaces look. Fortunately, traditional braces are no longer the only solution. With Invisalign®, we can move your teeth closer together so you achieve a healthier, more confident smile – all with clear, barely noticeable aligners.

Overbite

Malocclusion (a bad bite) can increase the risk that your teeth will break or suffer decay. It even increases the risk of TMD. That’s why we recommend exploring your treatment options, even if your overbite is relatively mild. Once we know more about your case, we can determine if Invisalign® is right for you and, if it is, begin moving your bite into proper alignment with a custom series of clear aligners.

Underbite

If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones, then you probably have an underbite. This bite problem, like the others on this list, can lead to difficulty chewing properly, trouble enunciating clearly, chronic jaw pain, and several other issues, which is why we don’t recommend waiting too long to explore your treatment options. If Invisalign® is one of them, then your orthodontic treatment won’t involve any metal at all!

Crossbite

Although there was once a time when traditional braces were the only solution, Invisalign® can also correct mild to moderate crossbites now. Usually, the help of additional orthodontic accessories is required, like buttons and attachments. However, you shouldn’t let that stop you, especially because they are considerably more discreet and comfortable than metal brackets and wires.

Open Bite

Is there a space between your upper and lower teeth that’s preventing you from biting down all the way? If so, it’s time to schedule an Invisalign® consultation with one of our highly trained dentists in Ponte Vedra Beach. At your visit, they will learn more about your smile goals, complete a comprehensive oral exam, and determine if the best solution is clear aligner treatment.

Quicker Results

To put it simply, Invisalign is an ideal solution for adults who want to straighten their teeth and achieve a beautiful smile in a reasonable amount of time. In fact, while the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months, there are some patients who achieve the results they desire in just 6! If you would like an estimate of your treatment timeline, then take the next step: schedule a consultation with us.

Discreet Trays

Of course, one of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that there aren’t any metal components. As a result, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile. In fact, you can even remove your aligners on occasions when you want to look and feel your absolute best, like before a first date. To put it simply, this orthodontic treatment is reliable, effective, safe, and doesn’t come with feelings of self-consciousness.

Unmatched Comfort

Even though Invisalign and traditional braces offer similar results, many adults just don’t feel comfortable with the thought of having metal in their mouths. If that is a concern of yours, we have good news: clear aligners are crafted from smooth, barely noticeable plastic instead of metal. They also have a low profile, which ensures they don’t feel bulky or obtrusive.

Easy Dental Care

Another perk of removable aligners: you don’t need to buy special dental care products to adopt a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen. Instead, you can take them off before brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. The only “significant” change to your routine will be cleaning your trays, but that’s pretty easy since you only need clean, cool water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and clear, mild dishwashing liquid.

No Dietary Restrictions

Regular braces come with a laundry list of foods you should avoid. With Invisalign, you simply remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Then, when you’re done, clean your teeth and your trays before putting them back on.

Important reminder: Orthodontic emergencies are not limited to just broken or lost aligners. If your teeth decay, then we will need to intervene with the necessary restorative care before we can resume the teeth-straightening process. So, do your best to limit your intake of cavity-causing foods, like ice cream.

Less Time in the Treatment Chair

One benefit of Invisalign is that it has a minimal impact on your schedule. That’s because there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments. Instead, you’ll come to our office every 6-8 weeks for progress visits (which are usually 30 minutes or less).

Wearing Your Trays

In short, you need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day, every day. At first, this may seem easy, but it’s easy to fall off-track if you aren’t intentional. That’s why many patients find it helpful to create a schedule, like 40 minutes for each meal. You can also use the stopwatch on your phone, particularly toward the beginning of your orthodontic treatment when you’re still finding a routine that works for you.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Since the aligners are removable, you don’t need to commit to a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen with Invisalign. You do, however, need to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash consistently. You also need to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to clean your aligners twice a day. The cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit are helpful as well, especially when you need to wear your trays longer than anticipated.

Eating & Drinking

When it comes to eating and drinking with Invisalign, there’s basically one rule: you need to remove your aligners first (unless it’s water). When you do take them off, make sure to rinse them gently with clean, cool water as well. Then, place them in their designated case. Do NOT wrap them in a napkin or leave them on your plate. While habits like these may seem harmless, they dramatically increase the chances of your aligners getting damaged or misplaced.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Naturally, losing or damaging a tray makes it very difficult to meet the daily wear time. That’s why it’s so important that you act fast! If you can’t find your aligners or they have a serious crack running along the surface, don’t wait – call our Ponte Vedra Beach dental team. The sooner you do, the sooner we can determine how to get you back on-track with your treatment plan.

Attending Routine Check-Ins

One underrated perk of Invisalign is that there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments. Instead, you’ll come to our office every 6-8 weeks so we can monitor the movement of your teeth. If everything looks good, you’ll probably be in and out of the treatment chair in less than 30 minutes. If something is wrong, like your teeth aren’t tracking, then we will need a little more time to determine why that is and how to get you back on-track.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Invisalign

Ultimately, the cost of Invisalign varies because no two smiles are exactly the same. So, in order to provide you with an accurate estimate, we need to first determine:

• If any preliminary treatments are needed, such as a tooth-colored filling
• How many aligners are needed
• If single-arch treatment is possible
• If additional orthodontic accessories are needed, like attachments
• The type of retainer you need

In general, Invisalign costs at least a couple thousand dollars, but, again, we can provide you with a price estimate when you visit your dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach for a consultation. We can also help you explore your payment options, including low-interest financing.

Does Invisalign Cost More Than Mail-In Aligners?

Typically, yes. There are a few reasons for this, including that mail-in alternatives usually don’t offer an initial consultation. They also often rely on DIY impressions and don’t have a licensed dental professional overseeing the treatment process. As you can imagine, this cuts costs but has the potential to lead to serious problems, including worsened misalignment and dental injuries. So, while the upfront price is lower, it’s not a good financial decision, especially since patients end up spending more to get the results they desire.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

In addition to covering preventive care, some dental insurance providers cover a portion of the cost of braces. So, if you are insured, take a look at the fine print on your plan. Since we welcome many PPO plans, we can help, too! We can review your coverage, provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, and handle the paperwork so the process is as seamless as possible.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your dream smile! After all, there’s another option: flexible financing! We’re proud to welcome no-interest financing options with 5/3 Bank and CareCredit. That way, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost in one lump sum. Instead, you can break up the payments into smaller installments that work with your monthly budget.