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Invisalign’s trademarked state-of-the-art clear aligners are a great way to achieve a near perfect smile without traditional metal braces. A smile featuring straighter teeth will renew your confidence and help maintain optimal oral health! 

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How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign retainers may be practically invisible, but they actually utilize an amazing amount of technology into the teeth straightening process.

The Invisalign fitting process is entirely digital – no teeth molds or putty involved! At your first appointment, your Jax Beaches Family Dentistry dentist will perform a scan of your teeth, which is then used to map out a strategy on how Invisalign will progressively straighten your smile one aligner at a time. Patients even get to see a digitized preview of what they can expect their teeth to look like by the time treatment is complete.

 

Once the digital roadmap to a straighter smile is finished, a set of aligners specific to your mouth is 3D-printed. The aligners are constructed of durable thermoplastic material, designed to comfortably fit over your natural teeth. As time progresses, the aligners produce precisely enough pressure to push the offending teeth into alignment without causing unnecessary discomfort to the patient.

Over the next year or so, you will move to a new aligner each time the current retainer has achieved its purpose and it’s time for the next step on the road to a straighter smile. The number of aligners each patient receives (and the time until treatment is complete) depends on the severity of misalignment in the existing teeth. Some patients’ retainers may incorporate “buttons” that help the aligners attach to particularly stubborn teeth and keep the mouthpieces from shifting.

Invisalign braces, with or without buttons, are removable. Most patients are instructed to wear their retainers for about 22 hours a day.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Traditional metal braces still play a role in dentistry, but many of our patients find that Invisalign offers many advantages.

Appearance – Invisalign retainers are mostly unnoticeable. With proper care, the aligners remain completely clear throughout the course of treatment. The “invisibility” is especially important to working professionals — those who have contact with clients at work, and people who simply don’t want the “metal mouth” appearance that traditional braces are known for.

Eating and drinking – Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign retainers are easily removable and allow for comfortable eating and drinking. While eating and drinking anything other than clear liquids with clear aligners is discouraged to prevent breakage, discoloration, and trapped bacteria, meal-time is easy with Invisalign: simply take out the device, eat, brush your teeth, and pop it back in! Best of all, unlike patients with traditional braces, Invisalign wearers don’t have to worry about uncomfortable chewing or food getting stuck between metal pieces.

Dentist visits – Regular dental checkups are essential for good dental health, and this is no different for Invisalign wearers. Your dentist will likely want to check on your progress periodically and make needed adjustments to your scheduled switching of aligners if needed. Wearers of traditional metal braces may find themselves making emergency trips to the dentist for broken brackets or wires and uncomfortable tightening adjustments, those with clear aligners can typically go about their lives without interruption.

Discomfort – Does Invisalign hurt? Anytime teeth are forced into alignment, whether with traditional metal braces or Invisalign, patients can expect a little discomfort. Jax Beaches Family Dentistry patients who have tried both options, however, overwhelmingly report that the slight and occasional discomfort associated with Invisalign is far less than with metal braces. Keep in mind, Invisalign aligners are made of plastic, which eliminates the possibility of irritating or even injuring cheeks and gums with “unforgiving” metal. In addition, there are no painful tightening procedures the wearers of traditional metal braces often complain about. Invisalign straightens your smile gently, one step at a time with a more comfortable approach.


Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign treatment once cost more than traditional metal braces, but no longer!

Today’s clear aligners are priced competitively while offering a host of measurable advantages for the patient.

For patients who are concerned about the cost of Invisalign, Jax Beaches Family Dentistry offers affordable financing options for every budget with monthly payments! Call us for an Invisalign consultation to learn more about how to pay for a great new smile!

The ultimate cost of treatment varies according to the severity of misalignment or complexity of your case.

The typical Invisalign treatment regimen takes about 12 months. The duration of treatment may vary for each patient depending on factors including the severity of misalignment in the natural teeth, as well as the patient’s compliance and use of Invisalign retainers exactly as instructed. Wearing the aligners for fewer hours per day than recommended – or switching to the next retainer too soon or too late – can delay the final result and push back our projected “smile completion date.”

Some insurance plans with good coverages will include orthodontics as a benefit. In such cases, there is normally a particular amount reserved for orthodontic services, including Invisalign. We typically can make it so that you are able to pay for Invisalign treatment for less than $200 a month.
 
Aligners should be in place at least 20 hours per day.
Aligners are initially super tight upon placement. As with most other procedures, your teeth will be a bit sore for the first 24 hours. After this period, you will start getting used to the pressure, resulting in less discomfort.
Although there are some who manage to do it, keeping aligners on while eating is not recommended. It is possible for food to get stuck between them resulting in discomfort.
You can order replacement aligners, although there is an additional charge.

Yes. This is one of the most common uses. Invisalign can be a powerful tool in this situation.

Enjoy a Beautifully Restored Smile

If you are looking for an Invisalign dentist in Jacksonville, FL, Jax Beaches Family Dentistry is your preferred provider of top-quality clear aligners.