Tag: invisalign

Only a Matter of Time: All About Aligners

December 18, 2020

As you glide into the new year, you may also find yourself wondering what the easiest and most efficient way to glide your teeth into alignment may be.

In particular, many patients may find themselves worrying over the specific amount of money that it takes to straighten their teeth: How long will they have to subject themselves to frequent orthodontic visits? How long will they have to strategize their food around their treatment? How long will it take until they achieve their dream smile?

If you’re one of the many patients to wonder these questions while researching invisible alignment options, allow us to put your mind at ease… 

Factors that Affect Treatment Time

To start, we should clarify that no two patients are likely to undergo the exact same treatment timeline when it comes to invisible aligners. Not only are aligners traded out every one to two weeks according to the patient’s progress, but the following factors also influence the alignment timetable:

  • Age: As a general rule of thumb, the younger a patient is, the faster their teeth are likely to move, particularly for children or teens whose teeth are still growing in. Thus, young patients are likely to — but not always — see faster results than their adult counterparts.
  • Spacing: The more a patient’s teeth are crowded or, conversely, the more their teeth have large gaps of space between, the longer it will take for the teeth to be safely and properly aligned.
  • Diligence: Invisible trays ought to be worn for approximately 20 to 22 hours out of the day, typically removed only for eating, flossing, and brushing one’s teeth. However, if a patient does not remain diligent and consistent in wearing their aligners, their progress will slow down and their treatment time will increase.

All that being said, invisible aligners take, on average, approximately 12 to 18 months in total for completion.

Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

One of the most appealing features of using alignment trays as opposed to traditional braces — aside from the aesthetically pleasing option of foregoing metal bands and brackets altogether — is that invisible aligners can work just as fast as braces… if not faster!

This is because alignment trays encompass the entire surface of a patient’s teeth, thereby speeding up the time it takes to shift the orthodontic landscape. In short, aligners provide a cohesive force against all of the teeth, whereas braces straighten each tooth individually.

Additionally, most patients simply find invisible aligners to be more comfortable and convenient overall.

Simple Solutions, Simply SouthShore

For patients who have already undergone orthodontic treatment or otherwise have minimal adjustments to make, as opposed to more comprehensive corrections, they may find Simply SouthShore aligners to be well-suited to their needs.

Simply SouthShore is another orthodontic treatment system involving clear aligners and created by SouthShore’s own Dr. Matt Ahrens! Optimized for life’s little everyday shifts, Simply SouthShore is both doctor-designed and directed, providing even faster results than that of other clear aligners.

If you’re ready to learn more about your treatment options and what your individual treatment time may look like, it’s time to contact SouthShore Orthodontics! With an ongoing commitment to exceptional service in a relaxing environment, we guarantee to offer you solutions today that will have you smiling for years to come.

Call us today at (813) 815-0080!

Signs Your Orthodontic Treatment May Not Have Been Done Right

August 20, 2020

You want the best for your child, and oftentimes that means getting the best the first time.

Sadly, not all professionals are capable of living up to their promises. Other times, you may have been on the mark with your orthodontist, but helping your child with the upkeep after the fact proved challenging.

In any case, sometimes a second treatment of orthodontic care is in order. And if you’re wondering whether you and your family may be in need of another round, here’s what to keep in mind:

Signs Your Orthodontic Treatment May Not Have Been Done Right

If you suspect your child’s initial braces or other orthodontic treatment may not have been completed adequately or safely the first time, you’ll want to take care to discuss their physical condition with them — to ask them if they are experiencing pain or discomfort — as well as bring them to a dentist to inspect the current state of their teeth.

That being said, some indications that their orthodontist may not have completed proper care
may include:

â—Ź Their gum line is receding.
â—Ź There appears to be tooth wear despite good hygiene.
● Their teeth don’t feel comfortable or don’t seem to “sit right” or “fit” in their mouth.
● Their jaw isn’t aligned correctly or there are problems with your child’s bite that were not there prior to receiving orthodontic work.

Maintaining & Preventing The Necessity For Future Work

In some cases, it is not that the first round of orthodontic care was performed incorrectly, so much as it is that following maintenance routines were not kept up with after the process was complete.

For example, if your child stopped wearing their retainer, their teeth may begin to shift back into a new crooked position, or otherwise gravitate back toward their pre-orthodontic positions.

Otherwise, poor oral hygiene or even the child’s general aging may cause new misalignments, such as when their wisdom teeth begin to grow in and cause new shifts that were not previously present.

Finally, bruxism — or the nightly grinding of one’s teeth in their sleep — can also cause damage, requiring your child to wear a nightguard to keep from hurting their teeth or their jaw.

Finding An Orthodontist You Can Trust

In any of the aforementioned cases, it’s imperative that you bring them to a clinically-certified orthodontic professional to assess how to correct the problems at hand.

Moreover, it’s important to find an orthodontist that you can trust with your child’s health and safety. That’s what SouthShore Orthodontics is here for — to provide excellent results and exceptional service in a welcoming environment!

Dr. Matt Ahrens isn’t only passionate about the impact a beautiful smile can have on someone’s life, but he has a rich and skilled history as a board-certified orthodontist, including even having designed his own Simply SouthShore aligners for patients who have already received orthodontic work in the past!

We’re here to help. Contact us by calling (813) 815-0080 to schedule an appointment today!

3 Easy Tips for Affordable Orthodontic Care

July 15, 2020

Braces mean a change in budgeting — that’s a fact that’s hardly in dispute. But as orthodontic care often equates to healthier teeth, easier cleaning routines down the road, and a more confident smile, it’s also well-known that orthodontic treatment is well worth the money.

That being said, finding an affordable treatment plan that works for you and your family might take a little more time and effort — but it doesn’t have to be a stressful process.

So, before you break open the piggy bank and start crunching numbers, we want to help get you started! That’s why we’re here with three basic tips for making your orthodontic care fit into your financial future …

#1: Know The Cost of Your Choices

Of the various orthodontic treatments one might seek, traditional braces are not only the most well-known, but the most affordable. Specifically, Colgate has reported that “traditional metal braces, which include orthodontic adjustments usually occurring every six weeks, will range in price from $3,000-$5,000.”

While less visible options are also available — such as with Invisalign or ceramic braces — if your finances are currently in a tight spot, traditional braces still present you with equally effective results at a lower monthly and overall cost.

Of course, if you are still seeking something else, we suggest requesting a cost comparison of your choices from your orthodontist. You might be surprised by what you can actually afford!

#2: Know Where To Look For Help

If you have dental insurance, orthodontic care may already be included in your benefits. Humana, for example, specifies that their insurance coverage may render your bills more affordable for both adult and child orthodontic care.

“Depending on the plan you choose, you may have a range of discounts on the cost of braces and other devices,” according to Humana.

Additionally, if you don’t have insurance coverage, you can always discuss payment plans with your orthodontist’s office to ensure your monthly bills fit your budget. Often, these plans involve flexible payment options as well as little to no interest and online account management.

#3: Choose A Highly-Skilled Orthodontist

While conducting research on the premise of affordability, it can be easy to simply glance over the total overall cost of treatment and opt for the lowest number. The catch? That doesn’t always equate to long-term savings.

That is, with cheaper bills comes the possibility of lower quality care and, thus, more corrective and costly orthodontic procedures down the road. Therefore, so long as it is within your budget, a slightly higher price is worth the money if it means safe, proper, and effective care the first time around.

If you’re ready to find high-quality orthodontic care with a compassionate team who can help you navigate the financial aspects of your treatment, then it’s time to reach out to SouthShore Orthodontics!

We offer exceptional service in a relaxing environment, and we look forward to giving you the results you’ve dreamed of. Call us today at (813) 815-0080 to learn more or schedule a free consultation!