Invisalign®, as the name implies, is made to be invisible and provide an alternative to metal braces that is hard to detect on teeth. Invisalign®’s appeal is its discreet, low profile that makes it virtually unnoticeable. When patients ask, “How noticeable is Invisalign®?” our office provides the following information to help them understand what their smiles will look like while wearing the clear aligners:
No Coverage of Soft Tissue – Invisalign®’s patented design covers only dental enamel. The tops of the aligner trays are scalloped so they do not extend over your gum line, helping them to look as minimally noticeable as possible. Other brands of clear aligners are straight along the top, with the plastic extending over gums.
Custom Fit – By being precisely molded to the shape of your teeth, each Invisalign® aligner tray is made to hug your smile. The trays do not appear bulky and are so well-matched to existing teeth shape that they blend right into your smile.
Specialized Thermoplastic – Invisalign® uses see-though plastic to help achieve its low profile on teeth. With thermoplastic, your aligners allow your real teeth to shine through and do not look cloudy or artificial.
While Invisalign® is intended to look as low-profile as possible, there are some bad habits that can change the way the aligners look on your teeth.
Habits that Can Affect Invisibility of Aligner Trays
Improperly cleaning your aligner tray with abrasive materials can scratch the surface of the plastic, making your orthodontics look less discrete. When cleaning your aligners, be sure to brush them gently with a soft bristled tooth brush only when needed and to rinse them out with water the rest of the time. Do not use toothpaste on clear aligner trays, as this will cloud the plastic.
Remember to always take Invisalign® out while eating and drinking. The only thing you can consume with your aligners in is water. Drinking beverages with pigment or the ability to stain can discolor the plastic and make your trays look obvious. Aligners should also be stored properly for the occasional times they are not in place, as bending or otherwise physically damaging them will prevent proper function properly and discreet appearance on teeth.
Invisalign® Questions? Contact our Jacksonville Invisalign® Dentists
If you have additional questions about what Invisalign® looks like or the results you can expect with clear braces, contact our office today for your consultation.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Dental Implants: The Cost and Comfort Advantages of Implants
Patients dealing with tooth loss may not give as much thought in determining the long-term effects of their restoration of choice. While many dentists may recommend fixed dental bridges or removable prosthetics, such as full and partial dentures, these treatment options may prove less comfortable or more costly to maintain throughout the course of your life.
In order to make an informed decision about their treatment, so it aligns with their long-term health and wellness goals, patients should consider the cost advantages and health benefits involved in utilizing dental implants to replace missing teeth:
Minimal Maintenance Time and Investment – Fixed dental bridges and dentures are not necessarily made to last a lifetime, especially if you require either of these prosthetics at a younger age. Dentures need to be adjusted periodically over time, as they may loosen with gum tissue shrinking and therefore become uncomfortable. As they are typically made of acrylic, dentures can be easily adjusted but can also be more easily worn down, especially if patients have a habit of grinding their teeth. Fixed dental bridges, while more secure because they are cemented in place, may also need to be replaced entirely over the years. Though they are often made of durable and aesthetic porcelain or porcelain over metal, applying a fixed bridge requires the alteration of healthy teeth, which can cause complications that require a time and cost investment later in life.
Implants, on the other hand, are independent; soft tissue health and the structural integrity of surrounding teeth are not affected. As implants are embedded into and merge with bone, they can also be extraordinarily long lasting. Implant posts, or the base of your replacement teeth, will likely not need to be to removed and replaced in your lifetime, providing cost savings in the long run. With all-porcelain replacement teeth attached to implants, your prosthetics will also be durable and better stand up to wear and tear.
No More Loose Dentures or Removable Prosthetics – Restorations that are not firmly fixed in place can slip, rub, and generally irritate tissue in your mouth. Loose dentures also make eating a challenge, as biting into crunchy or dense foods isn’t easy with unpredictable dental appliances. Many patients with these issues often forgo wearing their dentures entirely, which further limits dental function.
Dentures of varying size can be secured by implants, however, to help provide a permanently attached base that does not loosen over time. With implant-supported prosthetics, denture wearers do not experience the affected speech and diminished biting and chewing capability that loose, removable appliances can create. Implant-supported denture patients do not have to worry about their teeth throughout the day.
At Farnham Dentistry, we help patients weigh all of their options so they can make informed decisions about their treatment plans. For more information about dental implants in Jacksonville, please contact our office.
In order to make an informed decision about their treatment, so it aligns with their long-term health and wellness goals, patients should consider the cost advantages and health benefits involved in utilizing dental implants to replace missing teeth:
Minimal Maintenance Time and Investment – Fixed dental bridges and dentures are not necessarily made to last a lifetime, especially if you require either of these prosthetics at a younger age. Dentures need to be adjusted periodically over time, as they may loosen with gum tissue shrinking and therefore become uncomfortable. As they are typically made of acrylic, dentures can be easily adjusted but can also be more easily worn down, especially if patients have a habit of grinding their teeth. Fixed dental bridges, while more secure because they are cemented in place, may also need to be replaced entirely over the years. Though they are often made of durable and aesthetic porcelain or porcelain over metal, applying a fixed bridge requires the alteration of healthy teeth, which can cause complications that require a time and cost investment later in life.
Implants, on the other hand, are independent; soft tissue health and the structural integrity of surrounding teeth are not affected. As implants are embedded into and merge with bone, they can also be extraordinarily long lasting. Implant posts, or the base of your replacement teeth, will likely not need to be to removed and replaced in your lifetime, providing cost savings in the long run. With all-porcelain replacement teeth attached to implants, your prosthetics will also be durable and better stand up to wear and tear.
No More Loose Dentures or Removable Prosthetics – Restorations that are not firmly fixed in place can slip, rub, and generally irritate tissue in your mouth. Loose dentures also make eating a challenge, as biting into crunchy or dense foods isn’t easy with unpredictable dental appliances. Many patients with these issues often forgo wearing their dentures entirely, which further limits dental function.
Dentures of varying size can be secured by implants, however, to help provide a permanently attached base that does not loosen over time. With implant-supported prosthetics, denture wearers do not experience the affected speech and diminished biting and chewing capability that loose, removable appliances can create. Implant-supported denture patients do not have to worry about their teeth throughout the day.
At Farnham Dentistry, we help patients weigh all of their options so they can make informed decisions about their treatment plans. For more information about dental implants in Jacksonville, please contact our office.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Helping Children Feel Comfortable at the Dentist
Dental anxiety is a common problem for both kids and adults alike. It is often a major reason why adults don't get crucial dental care or why children have less than positive memories of their time at a dental office. It's ideal to prevent this negative cycle entirely by making sure that kids have positive experiences when they're young and form the right kids of associations with dental care.
Start Early
One of the best ways to get started is to schedule your child's first dental visit when they're around two years old. This allows them to get used to the idea of seeing a dentist and to experience dental visits as a normal and regular occurrence. Having good dental experiences and visiting the dentist for preventive care when children are young helps to prevent and limit dental anxiety as they get older and to avoid the association that you only go to the dentist when you need extensive treatment. With regular dental care, children have a great chance of growing up with healthy teeth and gums as well as confidence about trips to the dentist in general.
Show, Don't Tell
Many parents adopt the strategy of talking to their child about dental visits before they go for the first time. But while this might seem like a good idea, this can actually increase anxiety, as children begin to imagine something they've heard about but not experienced. It's a much better strategy to show them what the dentist is like, rather than tell them.
This is why at Farnham Dentistry we like to have families bring in their youngest children if an older sibling is having an appointment. The youngest family member gets a chance to meet the dentist and see the office. Then when they come back for their first checkup, the office is already familiar to them. That helps them see that the operatory isn't a scary place, so that they feel relaxed and comfortable when it's their own turn to sit in the chair.
Sit in on the Appointment
For children who are inclined to be a little bit anxious, it can really help if a parent or older sibling sits in on their appointment. Having someone familiar there is reassuring, and this is why at Farnham Dentistry we're glad to have parents come and sit in on appointments.
Above all, it's important for parents to reinforce the idea that going to the dentist is a normal and routine part of life. It's also important for kids to see that their parents feel comfortable about dental visits. Talking about the dentist using positive and upbeat language is vital. For more information about dental care for children, contact our Jacksonville dentists for your next appointment.
Start Early
One of the best ways to get started is to schedule your child's first dental visit when they're around two years old. This allows them to get used to the idea of seeing a dentist and to experience dental visits as a normal and regular occurrence. Having good dental experiences and visiting the dentist for preventive care when children are young helps to prevent and limit dental anxiety as they get older and to avoid the association that you only go to the dentist when you need extensive treatment. With regular dental care, children have a great chance of growing up with healthy teeth and gums as well as confidence about trips to the dentist in general.
Show, Don't Tell
Many parents adopt the strategy of talking to their child about dental visits before they go for the first time. But while this might seem like a good idea, this can actually increase anxiety, as children begin to imagine something they've heard about but not experienced. It's a much better strategy to show them what the dentist is like, rather than tell them.
This is why at Farnham Dentistry we like to have families bring in their youngest children if an older sibling is having an appointment. The youngest family member gets a chance to meet the dentist and see the office. Then when they come back for their first checkup, the office is already familiar to them. That helps them see that the operatory isn't a scary place, so that they feel relaxed and comfortable when it's their own turn to sit in the chair.
Sit in on the Appointment
For children who are inclined to be a little bit anxious, it can really help if a parent or older sibling sits in on their appointment. Having someone familiar there is reassuring, and this is why at Farnham Dentistry we're glad to have parents come and sit in on appointments.
Above all, it's important for parents to reinforce the idea that going to the dentist is a normal and routine part of life. It's also important for kids to see that their parents feel comfortable about dental visits. Talking about the dentist using positive and upbeat language is vital. For more information about dental care for children, contact our Jacksonville dentists for your next appointment.
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