Living with crooked teeth can be frustrating for several reasons. First, you might feel self-conscious about the appearance of your smile, which keeps you from interacting with other people in a way that you feel confident about. When you don't feel good about the appearance of your smile, it can impact your professional and personal relationships and possibly keep you from achieving your goals.
Did you know that crooked teeth also impact your dental health? Teeth that are misaligned or overlapped are often hard to brush and floss. When you can't properly clean your teeth, it leaves you more susceptible to developing problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
The good news is that invisible braces with Invisalign can help you align your teeth with discretion and ease without wearing traditional braces. Here's what you should know about Jacksonville Invisalign so you can consider if it's right for your smile.
How Invisalign Works
Instead of wearing brackets and wires on your teeth, Invisalign uses custom clear plastic trays to move your teeth into alignments gently. The plastic aligners fit snugly against your teeth and are designed by Dr. Doan to move your teeth incrementally with each set. You'll wear each set of aligners for one to three weeks, according to Dr. Doan's specifications, and you'll see the most efficient results when you wear them for at least 22 hours each day.
Changing your aligners out every few weeks can be done at home, but you'll check in with Dr. Doan periodically to receive new trays and ensure plans to achieve your new smile are staying on track. Most patients can finish their treatment with Invisalign in about 12 to 18 months, depending on their needs.
The Advantages of Invisalign Over Braces
There are a few outstanding factors that patients love about Jacksonville Beach Invisalign:
- Discretion: The best thing about Invisalign is that no one will notice that you're straightening your teeth since your aligners are clear and removable.
- Ease: Since aligners are removable, you can brush and floss your teeth easily instead of maneuvering around cumbersome brackets and wires.
- Freedom: Removable aligners allow you to enjoy all the food you love without restrictions during your treatment.
- Comfort: Plastic aligners are smooth and comfortable to wear instead of pokey metal brackets and wires.
Compliance is the key to treatment with Invisalign. Wearing your aligners consistently as much as possible will help you achieve your desired results discreetly and promptly.
Who Is a Candidate for Invisalign in Jacksonville Beach?
Invisible braces work well for most patients, and some of the concerns it addresses are:
- Crooked teeth
- Crossbites
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Overlapped or rotated teeth
More complicated bite concerns may be better addressed with braces, but Dr. Doan can help you decide if Invisalign is the proper treatment for you during an evaluation. She'll use the time to gather information about your smile with photos, x-rays, and an examination. She'll be able to let you know what Invisalign costs and how long it might take to finish your treatment during this appointment.
If it's determined that Invisalign is not suitable for you, she'll also discuss alternative treatment options that could help you reach your smile goals.
Why Straight Teeth Are Healthier for Your Smile
It may seem like crooked teeth are primarily a cosmetic concern; however, there are several dental health benefits straightening your teeth provides:
- Easier home care: Brushing and flossing crooked or overlapped teeth is challenging, increasing your chances of developing problems like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
- Improved chewing function: A correctly aligned bite delivers better chewing function, which can improve your nutrition.
- Better joint function: When your bite is aligned, your jaw joints can function properly, which protects you from developing painful headaches or other jaw joint (temporomandibular) issues or pain.
We would also be remiss to overlook the confidence a beautiful smile can bring! When you have a straighter, more beautiful smile, you'll feel confident about sharing it with others, making you more approachable.
Many patients find that the confidence a beautiful smile provides helps them achieve goals, make career advancements, and engage in new relationships. The bottom line is that a beautiful and healthy smile is truly priceless!
How Do I Get Started?
Our Jacksonville dentist, Dr. Kim Doan, is a certified Invisalign provider. She can help you determine the proper treatment to help you reach your smile goals, and if it's Invisalign, she can create a plan to help you move forward and start your treatment.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team is available to help you comfortably fit treatment with Invisalign or other dental services into your budget.
Contact Sandpiper Dental online to book your evaluation, or call our team at (904) 223-8001 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Doan.