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Invisalign® & 3M Clarity Aligners – Jacksonville, FL

Your Clear Path to a Straighter Smile

Teen girl with straight smile thanks to Invisalign in JacksonvilleActual Patient

Are you an adult with crooked teeth who would love to have them straightened, but the thought of seeing friends or facing coworkers with a mouthful of metal braces has stopped you from doing it? If so, you’re far from alone, and  Dr. Holland  is ready to offer a solution that was designed just for you: clear aligners in Jacksonville. We’re proud to offer Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners depending on your unique situation and preferences. Sleek, effective, and comfortable, these remarkable treatments are helping people around the world get more attractive smiles without the drawbacks of traditional orthodontics. Give us a call today to see if they’re right for you!

Issues Clear Aligners Can Fix

A woman with a small gap between her teeth

Clear aligners can be used to treat a wide variety of orthodontic problems, some of which include:

Crowded Teeth

cause other teeth that have yet to erupt to move through the gum line at an awkward angle or even become impacted. Crowded teeth make it harder to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums, leaving you susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. A clear aligner treatment can shift your teeth, creating the space needed to realign your bite and create a happier, healthier smile.

Gaps Between Teeth

Just the opposite is too much space existing between teeth. Food can become trapped and make it difficult to prevent tooth decay. With clear aligners, we can bring your teeth back into proper alignment, closing any unnecessary gaps.

Bite Alignment

If you have a bite alignment problem, you are vulnerable to excessive wear and tear on your teeth, jaw pain, and possibly TMJ/TMD. We can create a custom clear aligner plan that can help shift your teeth in a way that will fix problems with an overbite, underbite, crossbite, and even an open bite.

How Invisalign Works

clear aligner

Invisalign® has created a modern customized approach to straightening teeth. No more wires, brackets, and bands! These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.

The Invisalign Process

Woman placing Invisalign tray

The first step toward your straighter, healthier, and more appealing smile starts with a consultation with Dr. Holland. At this visit, he will evaluate your teeth and other oral structures to make sure that your mouth is healthy enough for treatment. He will also determine whether Invisalign can correct your crowded, crooked, gapped, or rotated teeth. Please keep in mind that if your orthodontic issues are severe enough, traditional braces may be the best treatment choice for you. Also, this appointment will give us an opportunity to review the costs of your specific Invisalign treatment. We can review your insurance plan to see if it is covered under your benefits, and we can help you set up low-interest financing if necessary.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

woman smiling

No two smiles are the same, which is why it’s difficult to provide a precise treatment time estimate. Typically, Invisalign will take between 8 and 18 months to complete, but this will vary on a case-by-case basis. Depending on your misalignment, your treatment may take shorter or longer than the average treatment time. Dr. Holland will ensure that you receive the most efficient and effective Invisalign treatment so you can enjoy a beautifully straight smile as soon as possible.

How Invisalign Teen Works

Woman in orthodontic office holding Invisalign tray

Invisalign is also ideal if you have an image-conscious teen at home who could benefit from orthodontic treatment. Invisalign Teen works just like the regular system, except each aligner comes with a small blue dot towards the back that fades as the aligners are worn. This helps both teens and parents know that their treatment is staying on track. Invisalign Teen also comes with more FREE replacement aligners, which makes it a good fit for even the most forgetful or clumsy teen.

The Invisalign Teen Process

A young girl preparing to reinsert an Invisalign Teen aligner

First, Dr. Holland will see you and your teenager for a consultation, where we’ll determine if Invisalign Teen is a good choice for your child and an estimate of the length and cost of treatment. Dr. Holland will map out a treatment plan and take digital impressions of your teen’s smile. Using the iTero digital scanner, it eliminates the need to capture impressions with cold dental putty that is often quite messy. These digital images create a model that is used to create your smile step-by-step as it moves through treatment. It will also help in the creation of your teen’s clear aligners.

Once we receive the trays in our office, you and your child will return to receive the aligners. Equipped with a small blue indicator toward the back of the aligner, this signals you and our office that it’s time to switch to a new set of trays.

Frequent dental visits will be necessary not only to provide new aligners but to also check on the progress your child’s teeth are making, and should they break or lose one of their trays, we are happy to provide free replacement aligners.

You and your teen can expect to see a new and improved smile anywhere between 6-15 months depending on the severity of the problem at the start of treatment. As long as they wear their aligners the designated amount of time each day, which Dr. Holland will provide, there should be no delays in treatment.

Is Invisalign Teen Right for My Child?

Two girls smiling and hugging

When you and your teenager arrive for your initial consultation, Dr. Holland will evaluate their smile to determine the severity of the problem as well as check for any possible indications that Invisalign Teen may not be the right treatment option. If your child’s gap is too wide or bite is too misaligned, traditional braces might be the only way to achieve desired results; however, in most cases, Invisalign Teen is a great solution for teenagers.

Benefits for Teenagers

A young, male teen holding a clear aligner

Apart from the fact your teenager won’t have to worry about wearing metal braces to school, here are some additional benefits they will experience by choosing Invisalign Teen:

  • Increase comfort with no irritation to their soft tissues (i.e. cheeks, lips, gum, etc.)
  • Customized aligners that fit their individual needs
  • Flexible treatment with removable aligners, making it easy to eat, drink, and clean their teeth and trays
  • Faster results
  • Easy to clean

Differences Between Traditional Invisalign and Invisalign Teen

A young girl holding a clear aligner and smiling

  • Invisalign Teen not only corrects alignment issues, but it can also move the roots of your child’s teeth.
  • There are small indicators on Invisalign Teen aligners that help young patients remember when to switch out their trays. Unlike traditional Invisalign that requires much responsibility on the part of the patient to remember when to swap out their aligners.
  • Invisalign Teen is great for children who have growing teeth.

How 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners Work

Set of 3M Clarity aligners

In addition to Invisalign, Dr. Holland also offers 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners as a seamless, convenient method for straightening teeth. This top-tier system delivers individualized treatment in the form of clear aligners that help gradually shift your smile towards its ideal position. They’re comfortable (no poking wires to worry about), very subtle, and 100% removable so that patients can continue eating favorite foods and brushing and flossing at home like normal.

What Are 3M Clarity Aligners?

smiling young woman holding Clarity Aligner in Jacksonville

3M Clarity clear aligners are a series of custom-made trays that apply gentle pressure to the teeth. You wear each aligner for about 22 hours each day, for one or two weeks (depending on your specific treatment plan). Total treatment times vary from patient to patient, but you can expect to use the aligners for at least several months. After you work your way through all of your aligners, you will be the proud owner of a perfectly straight smile that you cannot help but show off.

Benefits of 3M Clarity Aligners

smiling woman against red background holding clear aligner

Clarity Aligners offer many of the same benefits as Invisalign. For example, they are nearly invisible, which means that onlookers may notice no evidence of your orthodontic treatment (other than the gradual changes in your smile). Also, since the aligners are removable, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods without worrying about compromising your treatment’s success. The thin plastic of the aligners contributes to your comfort while you wear them.

Invisalign Vs. 3M Clarity Aligners

dental professional holding two clear aligners in heart shape

It is clear that both Clarity Aligners and Invisalign are wonderful treatments, but does it matter which one you choose? Well, the Clarity system does offer one outstanding feature that makes it different from Invisalign. You can download a treatment tracking app. With the app, you can snap and share photos of your progress, as well as track your aligner wear time. The app even has a Share with Doctor feature that lets you connect with 3M.

The Benefits of Clear Aligners

Man smiling while holding Invisalign in Jacksonville

How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?

A piggy bank with glasses looking at a calculator

Are you considering straightening your teeth with clear aligners? Unlike metal braces, these advanced treatments allow you to achieve the same results in a much shorter period and to maintain your appearance throughout the process. However, this doesn’t mean that they come at an outrageous price. In fact, the cost of clear aligners is often comparable to the cost of traditional braces. As you weigh your options for realigning your smile, the benefits of these unique orthodontic solutions may make it the clear choice for you. Schedule a consultation with  Dr. Holland  here at Ortega Orthodontics in Jacksonville. He can help you determine whether clear aligners can actually save you money on treatment!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners

woman holding Invisalign

The cost of a clear aligner treatment will vary from patient to patient because each smile is unique and requires an equally unique treatment plan. Factors that influence the cost of clear aligner treatment include:

  • The severity of the misalignment . The more work that needs to be done, the longer and more expensive treatment will be.
  • The patient’s ability to comply with treatment . If you forget to wear your aligners, you could prolong treatment and end up paying more.
  • The age or oral development of the patient . Because the tooth roots become more established (i.e., more difficult to move) in older adults, these patients may need to wear the aligners for a longer period of time compared to younger patients to achieve the final results.

A Smile Worth the Investment

woman smiling outside

Correcting misalignment affects more than just your smile’s appearance. Evenly spaced, straight teeth and a properly aligned bite are much easier to maintain in the long term. These provide the ideal setting for clean your teeth in the most effective and efficient way possible.

When you consider all the advantages that clear aligners have over traditional metal braces, including the shortened timeframe and flexibility to fit within any lifestyle, the effort and money for treatment becomes a wise investment in your smile.

iTero® Digital Scanner for Clear Aligners

iTero scan on computer screen

At Ortega Orthodontics, the new iTero digital scanner eliminates the need for those sticky, yucky impressions with dental putty. Images of the teeth and bite are captured with a small camera and turned into a digital model which is used to plan your treatment. This is more accurate and faster than the old putty impressions we used for years! In fact, we can then use this model to show you how your smile will look after undergoing Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, or 3M Clarity Aligners, which is extremely motivating.

Clear Aligner FAQs

Man

If you’re still curious about clear aligners in Jacksonville, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Holland wants his patients to have all the information they need to have peace of mind when it comes to their orthodontic treatments. That’s why he’s included the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about clear aligners below! Read on to satisfy your curiosity and learn more.

Is There an Adjustment Period After Starting Clear Aligners?

When you first start your Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, or 3M Clarity Aligner treatment, there is a slight adjustment period. You may feel minimal soreness in various spots of your smile, but this will eventually go away. One of the most significant benefits of clear aligners is that they’re made of smooth plastic. This makes them much more comfortable to wear than traditional orthodontics. Plus, the time it takes to get used to life with them is much shorter than other options!

How Should I Care for My Clear Aligners?

Maintaining your clear aligners daily will help ensure that you have a successful treatment, but it will also keep them from becoming stained and yellowed. Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligners sell their own cleaning systems, but you can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear hand soap, and room temperature water. Make sure that you never use hot water because it could permanently warp the plastic your aligners are made of. When cleaning, you should also put down a towel on your sink and/or floor, giving your aligners some cushion if you drop them to avoid cracking or breaking them.

What Should I Do if I Lose or Break an Aligner?

If you lose or break an aligner, call your  orthodontist in Jacksonville  immediately. It’s vital to get a replacement as soon as possible so you remain on schedule with your treatment. Once you contact our office, Dr. Holland will provide you with a replacement swiftly. He may recommend that you wear the previous aligner in the series to maintain your results while you wait for a new one. Avoid using a broken aligner or trying to fix it yourself—this could actually cause more harm to your smile than help.

How Will Clear Aligners Affect My Diet?

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are completely removeable! That’s why you won’t have to change your diet with Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, or 3M Clarity Aligners. Simply take your aligners out when you’re eating or drinking anything that isn’t water. Other foods/drinks may cause your aligners to yellow or get stained. Just make sure that you’re cleaning your teeth and your aligners before putting them back in after eating.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to  contact our office  to speak with one of our friendly staff members.

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