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Invisalign Treatment in Ocala FL – An Overview

invisalign
woman take invisible braces on the green background

Invisalign is a discreet, comfortable, and convenient way to correct orthodontic problems that has been proven to be as effective as traditional braces. But instead of using arch wires and brackets, the Invisalign system uses clear aligners to move your teeth through the precise placement of controlled force on the teeth.

Invisalign controls the timing of the force application by changing the set of aligners every two weeks, so you don’t have to go to the dentist’s office for adjustments. With each set of aligners, only specific teeth are moved according to the treatment plan, providing an efficient force delivery system. 

That said, the most important variable for successful Invisalign treatment is your compliance to wear the aligners as instructed. This includes:

  • Wearing the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day
  • Wearing each set for 14 days or as instructed
  • Wearing each set properly (upper or lower, right sequence, and inserting them gently until they snap in place and are fully seated)
  • Removing, cleaning, and storing them properly
  • Removing them when eating and drinking anything

Fewer Dental Visits 

One of the benefits of Invisalign is the fewer number of dental appointments for the duration of your treatment. These dental visits include:

Initial Consultation: 

If you’re a suitable candidate for Invisalign, the dentist will take a detailed scan of your teeth, photographs, and a full-mouth X-ray that will be used to design your Invisalign treatment plan and custom aligners. 

Fitting Appointments: 

Your next appointment will be scheduled when your custom aligners are fabricated. The dentist will insert the first set of custom trays and make any adjustments or interproximal reduction (IPR) (slenderizing/slimming) to ensure proper tooth alignment when shifting. During this visit, the Invisalign specialist will also instruct you on how to insert and remove them, as well as how to care for your aligners. Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks, so you will be given the next 3-4 sets of aligners in your treatment plan to change at home. 

Monitoring Visits: 

Invisalign monitoring visits are scheduled every 6-8 weeks to assess the progress of your treatment, perform any slenderizing, and receive the next set of aligners. The number of scheduled visits depend on the number of aligner sets prescribed in your individual treatment plan. 

Final Appointment 

At the end of your treatment, the last appointment will be used to determine if further refining (minor bite adjustments) should be done or to order custom retainers to help maintain the new position of your teeth. Retainers are long-lasting, and only need replacement when worn out. 

Start Your Invisalign Treatment Today 

If you have an orthodontic issue, such as crooked or crowded teeth, misaligned bite, or over/under-bite, please visit your Invisalign dentist in Ocala FL to evaluate your teeth and determine whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.

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Dental Check Ups & Teeth Cleaning in Ocala FL

dental cleaning

Many people today know about the importance of oral health and how it affects your overall health. Optimal oral hygiene requires a combination of proper and consistent daily oral hygiene practices at home and routine professional dental cleanings. This helps to protect your teeth from decay and keep the gums healthy, while keeping your smile bright.

However, one thing that may not be clear is why the American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings every six months. Generally, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing every day should help to remove most of the harmful bacteria from your teeth and mouth. But the small quantity of bacteria that remains may still pose a threat to your oral health over time, if it’s not removed. 

Some of the risks include:

  • Excessive tooth wear and cavities from the acid produced by plaque 
  • Bad breath from improper teeth cleaning 
  • Teeth discoloration from the colored foods you consume and calcification and mineralization of plaque in the form of tartar or calculus, which attracts more harmful bacteria
  • Minor gum infection or gingivitis, which is characterized by gum inflammation, swelling, and reddening. Due to sensitive gums, you may also notice some blood on your toothbrush or when rinsing your mouth after brushing. 
  • Advanced gum infection – If there are no interventions, gingivitis can advance to a more serious case of gum disease known as periodontitis or periodontal disease. It affects the foundation of your teeth – the bone tissue connecting your teeth to the jaw. 
  • Exacerbated health issues – the infection can spread from your mouth to other tissues, making it harder to manage other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia 

Cleanings for Optimal Oral Health 

Fortunately, most of these problems can be successfully treated or managed with professional dental cleaning and an improved oral care regimen at home. That said, periodontitis is a chronic, progressive, and episodic gum infection. If not treated promptly, periodontitis can cause severe bone loss that loosens your teeth with some even falling out. Though it’s irreversible, dental professionals can help you manage the symptoms and improve your oral health. 

Please visit your dentist today to examine the condition of your teeth and gums and determine the best type of dental cleaning in Ocala FL to improve your oral health and reduce the risk of advanced gum disease and cavities.

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What to Expect with Dental Implants in Ocala FL

dental implants

The technology behind dental implants has been around since the 1960s and has been well-proven to replace one or several missing teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. The result is an attractive, durable tooth replacement that stimulates the underlying bone, contributing to healthy gums around the new tooth. 

Other benefits of dental implants include:

  • Secure and permanent tooth replacement 
  • Look, feel, and function like natural teeth 
  • Stimulate the surrounding soft and hard tissues. This, in turn, ensures an attractive result and helps to maintain facial structures. 
  • No work is done on the surrounding healthy, natural teeth
  • The result is comfortable, with no adhesives required or the discomfort and insecurity associated with ill-fitting dentures 
  • Easy to care and maintain your new teeth, just like your natural teeth, with normal brushing and flossing 

Dental implants can be safely, reliably, and successfully placed in gaps with missing teeth to permanently restore your smile and optimize the function of your mouth. The treatment involves implanting a small screw – made from biocompatible material – into the jawbone to provide the foundation for your new tooth replacement. 

As the implant heals in the next few months, the screw integrates with the underlying bone through a process referred to as osseointegration, providing strong and sturdy support for your new teeth that function as the root. 

When the titanium implant has healed, an abutment is attached to it on one side to hold the tooth in place. Your replacement tooth is then connected to the abutment on the other side. The tooth is custom made to match the shape and color of your existing natural teeth. 

Are dental implants right for me?

Dental implants are the ideal tooth replacement option for anyone missing one or several teeth. Each solution is customized for your specific situation, with some patients requiring additional treatments such as bone grafting to ensure a successful tooth replacement. 

Please visit your oral surgeon in Ocala FL to learn more about dental implants and whether they’re the right solution to restore the function and aesthetics of your mouth. 

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Why Should I Choose Dental Crowns Near Me? | Ocala FL

dental crowns ocala

Dental crowns in Ocala FL, also referred to as tooth caps, are placed on a damaged tooth to strengthen its structure, restore its normal size, shape, and function, and/or improve its appearance. A crown fully encases the visible portion of your tooth above the gum line, such that it becomes the new outer surface of the tooth.  

Common Applications of Dental Crowns in Ocala FL

A dental crown is a permanent tooth repair option that can be used to restore different kinds of dental damage, including:

  • Missing tooth – can be used to support bridgework or paired with a dental implant 
  • Large cavity that would otherwise require a large filling 
  • Weakened tooth due to excess wear or cracks – to support and protect the remaining structure 
  • Decayed tooth – can be used to strengthen a tooth restored with root canal therapy 
  • Poorly shaped or severely discolored tooth – to conceal the imperfection and improve your smile 

If you’re planning on getting dental crowns in Ocala FL, then you should try to learn as much as you can about this versatile treatment before scheduling your dental visit. Although your dental team can provide the information you need, educating yourself about the procedure will allow you to ask the right questions to ensure that the results you get are exactly what you wanted. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind about dental crowns:

  • Tooth-colored crowns will give you the most natural tooth appearance because they blend in with your natural teeth and make the repair unnoticeable, producing an even, white smile. 
  • You need at least two dental appointments because dental crowns are created in a lab, which takes time. On your first visit, the dentist will prepare the site, take digital impressions, and install a temporary crown. On your second visit, the permanent crown will be placed so it “caps” the entire damaged or decayed area of the tooth. This will make it look and function like your natural teeth. 

To learn more about dental crowns and whether they’re right for your case, please schedule your visit with your dentist in Ocala FL today. 

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What to Expect with Invisalign in Ocala FL

invisalign

Invisalign is a new approach for straightening your teeth, improving your bite, and giving you a healthy, confident smile. With advanced Invisalign technology, patients enjoy a customized teeth-straightening solution that is more precise and designed to keep the teeth moving into the right position. 

The orthodontist uses an intraoral scanner to create 3D models of your teeth, which are arranged to replicate your bite on a computer screen. Each tooth is then individually moved – on the screen – to adjust your bite and create a plan for your actual dental treatment. This essentially helps to create the path of least resistance to move your teeth to the desired position, even before your treatment begins, which increases the success rate and reduces treatment time.

Invisalign can be used to correct a wide range of orthodontic issues, including:

  • Underbite 
  • Overbite 
  • Crossbite 
  • Crowded teeth 
  • Widely spaced teeth 

Invisalign for Teens is Different 

Invisalign Teen is designed to accommodate the growth and development of teeth both below and above the gum line. The aligners come with a unique feature that allows them to evolve as new teeth (molars) erupt, and even help to guide the roots and align the new teeth so they grow in the right position. 

There are also measures in place to ensure that the aligners are worn for the required duration of 20 – 22 hours per day. Not following the instructions strictly may make the treatment less effective, needing you to repeat the process or extend the treatment time, both of which will increase the cost of treatment. 

Schedule your Appointment

Invisalign uses transparent trays are virtually undetectable in your mouth, which means that you can go on with your social life like normal, throughout the period of your treatment.

To find out if you or your teen is a good candidate for Invisalign, please visit your Ocala orthodontist today. 

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Teeth Whitening Near Me, Ocala FL 34471

teeth whitening ocala

White teeth are associated with beauty, increased confidence, and a healthy lifestyle. However, smoking and chewing tobacco, drinking black tea or coffee and wine, using medications such as tetracycline, swallowing too much fluoride, and aging can cause your teeth to become stained. Teeth whitening in Ocala FL involves the use of simple and non-invasive treatments designed to change the color of your natural tooth enamel to give you a dazzling smile. Having white teeth is the leading aesthetic concern for most dental patients. Fortunately, there are multiple ways – including home and in-office – to whiten teeth, with varying degrees of effectiveness. 

Reasons to Consider Teeth Whitening in Ocala FL

Some of the reasons why people consider teeth whitening include:

  • To improve their smile
  • To increase their confidence
  • To prevent discoloration from worsening

Teeth whitening can be used to stop the progression of tooth discoloration, especially in combination with lifestyle adjustments

Since improving your smile is an investment, the last thing you want to see are signs of discoloration on your pearly whites coming up only a few months after treatment. To maintain your newly achieved bright smile, you should:

  • Avoid stain-causing foods and drinks – Many colored foods and drinks can stain your white teeth. So, reduce or avoid your intake of tomatoes, berries, grape juice, red wine, coffee, tea, sports drinks, cola, and grape juice. 
  • Rinse your mouth with water after eating and drinking – Every time you indulge in items that can stain your mouth, it is important that you rinse your mouth with clean water right after. Swishing a little water after eating or drinking can help reduce staining. 
  • Stop smoking – Smoking is not only bad for your health, but also your teeth. The nicotine, tar, and tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes will stain your teeth.
  • Practice proper oral hygiene – Daily brushing, at least every morning after breakfast and at night before bed, and daily flossing will help remove food debris and plaque, and keep your mouth clean and stain-free.  

Final Note 

Teeth whitening in Ocala FL only works for natural teeth, and the results don’t last forever. Artificial dental treatments, including crowns, fillings, and veneers are resistant to stains, which means that these won’t respond to the whitening agents. Moreover, you need a touch-up every year or sooner – as advised by your dentist –  depending on your diet and lifestyle to maintain your bright smile

Please schedule your consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Ocala FL today to discuss ways to improve your smile. 

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Best Invisalign Dentist Near Me, Ocala FL

best invisalign dentist

Invisalign is a virtually undetectable and hygienic approach to straightening your teeth and giving you a healthy, confident smile. This system was developed by the best Invisalign dentist to meet the demands of the active lifestyles and unique treatment needs of different kinds of patients, from shy teens to active athletes, so the treatment won’t interfere with their lifestyle. 

Some of the advantages of Invisalign include:

  • It can be used to correct many orthodontic issues – The Invisalign system is effective for correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues, including underbite, overbite, crossbite, crowded teeth, and widely spaced teeth. 
  • Virtually invisible – The aligners are transparent, offering a discreet way to straighten teeth. People hardly notice them, so your teen can continue to smile with confidence throughout their treatment. 
  • Comfortable – The aligners cause minimal irritation to the gums and mouth compared to fixed braces. 
  • Removable – The aligners can be removed when eating, brushing and flossing, and for special occasions, provided you wear them for 22 hours a day. 
  • Safe – Invisalign aligners are safer and more comfortable for teens who play sports or musical instruments compared to metal brackets and wires. 
  • Fewer orthodontist visits – Patients typically get 3-4 sets of aligners to wear for 2-weeks each, so you don’t need to see the dentist for about 2 months. Moreover, there are no dental “emergency” visits for loose or broken brackets and wires. 
  • Easier to clean – Since teens can remove their aligners to brush and floss properly, it eliminates the risk of food debris and plaque buildup around the brackets and wires. Better oral hygiene reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral problems. 
  • Low risk of enamel damage and tooth discoloration – Fixed braces are cemented to the enamel of each tooth. During removal, the enamel can get damaged, or reveal white patches on each tooth. Invisalign aligners are not bonded to your teeth. 

Is Invisalign right for you?

All patients who have to erupt or erupted permanent teeth are eligible for Invisalign treatment. This includes most teen patients. To find out if you or your teen is a good candidate for Invisalign, please schedule an appointment with your Ocala orthodontist today. 

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Dental Crowns Cost in Ocala FL

dental crowns

Although fillings and crowns seem to treat similar kinds of tooth damage – chips and fractures – dental crowns provide a stronger and more durable restoration. Crowns also help to strengthen severely weakened teeth that may otherwise need to be extracted, which makes the treatment more expensive compared to dental fillings. 

Here are some reasons for the popularity of dental crowns:

  • Can be used to treat a wide range of problems – Fillings can be successfully used to repair minor tooth damage. However, large fillings tend to be unstable, requiring the support of a dental crown. Rather than get a quick filling that won’t last very long, you can choose dental crowns 
  • Cosmetic dental treatment to improve your smile – Tooth-colored crowns, also referred to as white fillings, have become increasingly popular because they blend in with your natural teeth and make the repair unnoticeable, producing an even, white smile. 
  • Strong and durable materials – There are many different materials that can be used for dental fillings to provide a strong and durable restoration for your molars. 

Dental crowns give you value for your money, even if you spend a little more than fillings. However, the procedure should be done by a skilled and experienced dentist. So when considering the cost of dental crowns, it’s best that you don’t simply choose the least expensive dentist without fully understanding the reasons for the low-cost treatment. 

The cost of getting a crown varies depending on the material used and the amount of tooth preparation needed before placement. Naturally, a severely damaged or infected tooth that requires a core build-up will increase the overall cost of the procedure. You don’t necessarily have to pay the total cost of treatment out-of-pocket. Many insurance providers cover about 50% of the cost, though this also depends on your type of insurance and the specifics of your case. 

To find out the actual cost of your crown placement procedure, please schedule an appointment with your Ocala dentist today. 

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Full-Mouth Debridement vs. Regular Teeth Cleaning | Ocala FL

teeth cleaning

Six-month preventive dental visits are important for not only ensuring your long-term dental health, but also reducing the risk of emergencies. These visits typically involve professional teeth cleaning to remove tartar (hardened plaque) that may contribute to dental issues such as decay, gum disease, and bad breath, among others. Most hygienists perform the oral evaluation before teeth cleaning, as it may reveal that you need a full-mouth debridement (cleaning above and below the gums), as opposed to standard teeth cleaning of the exposed part of the teeth (above the gum line).

Full-Mouth Debridement

Full-mouth debridement (FMD) is different from prophylaxis or professional teeth cleaning. While FMD is necessary to diagnose what’s happening inside your mouth, prophylaxis simply involves the removal of tartar (hardened plaque) from the surface of your teeth. Moreover, FMD does not need to be done routinely like teeth cleaning. Your dentist may, however, recommend a full-mouth debridement if you have:

  • Tough, hardened tartar on tooth enamel 
  • Swollen gums 

During FBD, the dental hygienist uses an ultrasonic device or electric scaler, as well as various manual instruments to clean the exposed surface of your teeth, followed by fine-scaling the roots. In the event that you need additional dental procedures, like due to advanced periodontal disease, they will be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks later. During this time, you should follow your hygienists instruction for oral hygiene to ensure speedy recovery of your gums. 

Teeth Cleaning 

If the oral examination reveals that regular teeth cleaning will be enough, the dental hygienist will clean your teeth using special tools to remove tartar, through a process known as scaling. Next, the teeth will be polished using a gritty paste. This process is used to remove any surface stains. Finally, the hygienist uses dental floss to clean the area between your teeth. 

Depending on the health of your gums, the hygienist may need to inspect your roots for abnormalities. If you’re suffering from bad breath (halitosis), then gingival irrigation may be necessary to remove foot debris and accumulated bacteria. It involves spraying a stream of medicated water in the problem areas to remove bacteria hiding in areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss. This helps to reduce the size of gum pockets and improves your overall oral health. 

Final Note 

Routine checkups allow the dental hygienist to not only clean your teeth but also inspect your mouth for any risks to allow for timely intervention. For instance, the dentist may recommend fluoride treatment to remineralize teeth with severely thin tooth enamel, to manage hypersensitivity caused by thinning enamel, or to prevent decay. Please schedule your teeth cleaning appointment with your dentist in Ocala FL today for your oral and general health. 

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3 Things to Consider Before Paying for Porcelain Veneers | Ocala FL

porcelain veneers


Porcelain veneers are a permanent, cosmetic tooth repair option that can be recommended to correct a number of issues affecting your smile. Veneers refer to thin shells that are permanently bonded to the front and sides of the damaged or stained teeth to cover up the blemishes while protecting the tooth from further damage. 

Since they are considered a cosmetic dental procedure, veneers are usually not covered by dental insurance policies. Your dental plan can, however, pay for professional teeth cleaning, which is necessary before veneer placement. 

Before you proceed with getting your porcelain veneers, you should consider the following:

1. Different Types of Materials 

Porcelain is a popular material for dental veneers, though it’s more expensive than composite resin, which can be placed on the same day without fabrication in a dental lab. If you want same-day veneers, you can also opt for Lumineers, though they are even more expensive than the porcelain.

2. The Price Can Range Depending on Various Factors

The cost of standard veneers ranges per tooth. If you’re looking to get multiple teeth treated, you will have to pay a lot more. Veneers should only be used to improve the appearance of teeth with visible damage, rather than all visible teeth to reduce the cost of treatment. You should pay less per tooth if you’re getting two or more teeth repaired using veneers. You’re likely to get bigger discounts for more teeth, so make sure to shop around and choose the most cost-effective option for you. 

3. Get an Experienced Dentist 

Make sure that your dentist gives you a few photos of previous clients who have repaired their teeth using the materials of your choice. An experienced dentist may ask for more money, but this is preferable to choosing an inexperienced dentist who places the veneer poorly, resulting in multiple trips for repairs that will cost you more time and money in the long run, even if the repairs are free. 

Final Note About Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers can be used to cover stains, chips, gaps, and crooked teeth to make them look better. But before choosing this mode of treatment, you need to consider whether it’s the right treatment for your specific case and whether your budget allows it by consulting with your dentist in Ocala FL.

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