It’s an all-too-common scenario: You’re unhappy with your crooked or crowded teeth, but you simply can’t bring yourself to wear braces for the next several months. At Khoi Dental Group - Formerly Carlson Dental Group in Jacksonville, we have another way to help you overcome your orthodontic challenges without compromising your appearance. Invisalign is the perfect cosmetic-friendly solution for discreetly straightening your smile — no unsightly brackets or wires required! Call us today to schedule a consultation.
The treatment involves a series of thin, custom-made aligners made out of a patented plastic material. When worn, they slowly push the teeth toward their desired positions, with each set of aligners moving them ever closer to the goal.
You will wear each aligner for about two weeks before you transition to the next. You will visit us periodically throughout your treatment so we can monitor your progress. After you finish using all of your aligners, you should be the proud owner of a straighter, healthier smile.
Invisalign is able to correct most mild to moderate orthodontic issues. So, if you think metal brackets and wires are your only option, think again! Below, you’ll find some examples of problems that the clear aligners can address, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’re ready to schedule a consultation.
Crowded, overlapping teeth can trap food between them, increasing your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Fortunately, traditional metal braces are no longer your only path to a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile. In fact, Invisalign can fix crowded teeth with clear, comfortable aligners in 12-18 months (on average). If we determine that you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, then we will use a custom series to gently shift your teeth so each one has the space it needs to function optimally.
Extra space between the teeth might seem harmless or even cute. The reality, though, is that those gaps can leave your gums vulnerable to damage. That’s why we recommend exploring your treatment options! If we decide together that Invisalign is the best one for you, then we can gradually shift your teeth in a way that reduces the extra space, enabling you to enjoy a lower-risk, more attractive smile – all without metal brackets and noticeable wires.
Overbites are a common type of malocclusion (bad bite) that can afflict patients. It’s important to have it corrected sooner rather than later because even mild cases can lead to serious problems, including chronic jaw pain and premature wear on your teeth. If Invisalign is an option, then we will use the clear aligners, along with special accessories, to adjust your bite, improving everything from your self-esteem to your oral health in the process.
Do your lower teeth protrude beyond your upper ones? If so, you may have an underbite. Like the other bite problems on this list, Invisalign may be a solution, especially if your case isn’t too severe. In addition to an improved facial profile, this orthodontic treatment can lower your risk of TMD, benefit your oral health, and make it easier to chew and enunciate properly.
If some, but not all, of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones, then you may have a crossbite. Unfortunately, this orthodontic problem dramatically increases your risk of premature wear and tear on your teeth (as well as chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction). The good news is that Invisalign trays can be used in tandem with other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, to bring your bite into alignment.
Do your upper and lower teeth not meet evenly when you bite down? Whether the space is toward the front of your mouth or the back, you’re at an increased risk of dental damage from the uneven pressure. Fortunately, Invisalign can correct this orthodontic problem with virtually invisible, extremely comfortable, and hassle-free aligners.
Did you know that more than 17 million patients have chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign? If you’re considering doing the same, then it’s helpful to know all of the perks that come with clear aligners (spoiler alert: it’s more than just appearance). So, read on!
Let’s start with one of the most obvious benefits of Invisalign: the aligners are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic and are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth perfectly. As a result, they practically disappear when worn! That means you don’t have to wait until the end of your orthodontic treatment to smile confidently.
Unlike traditional braces, which use metal brackets and wires to achieve the desired results, Invisalign uses smooth plastic aligners. Not only are they more aesthetically pleasing, but they are also much more comfortable and less prone to irritating cheeks, lips, and gums. In short, the teeth-straightening process is considerably more enjoyable with Invisalign.
One downside of traditional braces is that they come with a long list of dietary restrictions. Invisalign, on the other hand, does not. That’s because the aligners are removable, so there isn’t the same risk of sustaining an orthodontic emergency. All we ask is that you do your best to eat mostly healthy, well-balanced meals to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other common oral health problems.
This is a benefit of Invisalign that is often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be! Since we don’t have to adjust any brackets or wires, there are fewer appointments required. We just need to check in with you every 4 to 6 weeks to confirm everything is going according to our plan. If that’s the case, then we will provide you with your next several sets of aligners so you can continue your progress at home.
Last, but definitely not least, Invisalign doesn’t require you to adopt a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen or buy special dental care products, like interproximal toothbrushes. Instead, all you have to do is remove your aligners. Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual. In fact, the only change to your routine will be taking care of your trays, but even that is easy because you likely already have everything you need at home.
Are you tired of hiding your misaligned teeth every time you speak, smile, or laugh? You may be thinking about getting Invisalign, especially after learning about its incredible benefits. However, you probably want to know how much your treatment will cost before committing to it. Since every patient is unique, it’s impossible to provide an accurate estimate until you come in for an exam. During your consultation, our team at Khoi Dental Group - Formerly Carlson Dental Group will explain which factors influence the total price so you know exactly what to expect.
Many factors influence the total cost of Invisalign in Jacksonville, such as:
If you’re on a budget, you may be eyeballing do-it-yourself aligner treatments like SmileDirectClub™. They usually cost about $2,000, while Invisalign can run anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. Of course, it’s crucial to keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
Let’s take a look at some notable differences between the two:
The good news is that some dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. Using your benefits can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more! Of course, it’s always a good idea to confirm the details of your policy with your insurance provider before moving forward with anything. Our team at Khoi Dental Group - Formerly Carlson Dental Group will be more than happy to help with that step if needed.
Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! We offer additional financing options to help make the total cost of Invisalign treatment much easier to cover. Some of those include:
Are you ready to begin your smile transformation? Give our office a call and schedule a consultation today! We’ll create a treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results in record time while keeping your expenses as low as possible.
Do you want to learn more about Invisalign before scheduling your first consultation or signing on the dotted line? Good news: our Jacksonville dental team is here to help! Below, we’ve responded to common questions about clear aligner treatment. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Then give us a call!
Hands down, one of the biggest concerns patients have is if the clear aligners will hurt. If you’ve been wondering the same thing, there’s good news: Invisalign is considerably more comfortable than traditional braces. In other words, while some soreness from the movement of your teeth is to be expected with any orthodontic treatment, clear trays are preferred by patients since they are custom made from smooth, high-quality materials – not metal brackets and wires.
It's also worth mentioning here that there are several ways you can address any soreness that does arise immediately following your transition to a new set of aligners. That includes avoiding hot foods, sipping on cool water, and taking an OTC pain reliever.
Over the years, you may have heard the rumor that Invisalign will give you a lisp. However, clear aligners wouldn’t be anywhere near as popular as they are today if they resulted in a permanent change to your speech. Furthermore, the large majority of patients surveyed shared that they didn’t experience an adjustment period at all! If you do find that your speaking patterns are slightly different, then it’s likely because your tongue needs some time to adjust to the presence of your aligners. To speed up the process, try practicing by reading out loud. Before you know it, the adjustment period will be over.
If you eat with your aligners in, they will warp, discolor, and crack. That’s why it’s so important that you take them out before eating or drinking anything other than water. Outside of that, you don’t have to worry about any dietary restrictions! You can eat carrots, celery, apples, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables without worry.
Just like your teeth, your trays can discolor. For that reason, you need to remove your aligners before drinking dark-colored beverages like coffee, wine, and soda. This may seem like an inconvenience at first, but the last thing you want is for your once-clear aligners to turn yellow or brown.
Tip: drink your coffee with your breakfast or lunch to help meet the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time.
The average Invisalign treatment timeline is 12-18 months. Of course, yours could be shorter or longer – it really depends on your unique smile. During your consultation, we will conduct a thorough oral exam to determine the complexity of your case and how many aligners you’ll need so we can provide you with a more precise estimate.