Invisalign In Jacksonville, FL

Adult smile correction has evolved dramatically with clear aligner technology, offering discreet orthodontic treatment without the visibility and lifestyle restrictions of traditional metal braces. Invisalign represents the gold standard in clear aligner therapy, using advanced computer modeling and custom-manufactured aligners to gradually move teeth into optimal positions while maintaining your professional appearance and confidence.

Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen focuses exclusively on adult Invisalign treatment, providing sophisticated smile refinement for Jacksonville professionals who value discretion and convenience. Our approach to “tuning up adult smiles” combines Dr. Mullens’ decades of experience, Dr. Nguyen’s artistic eye for proportion, and Dr. Petrie’s contemporary techniques to achieve beautiful, functional results through clear aligner therapy.

Adult-Focused Clear Aligner Treatment

Our practice concentrates on adult orthodontic needs, avoiding complex developmental and bite correction issues better suited for traditional orthodontic treatment. This focused approach allows us to provide efficient, comfortable clear aligner therapy addressing common adult concerns like crowding, spacing, and minor alignment issues affecting smile aesthetics.

Adult teeth respond differently to orthodontic movement than developing teeth, requiring specialized treatment planning and monitoring. Our experience with adult cases ensures realistic treatment timelines and expectations while achieving optimal results within your lifestyle parameters.

We coordinate closely with traditional orthodontists for complex cases requiring comprehensive bite correction, ensuring you receive appropriate referrals when needed while maintaining our focus on cosmetic smile enhancement for suitable candidates.

Advanced Digital Treatment Planning

Invisalign treatment begins with detailed digital impressions and 3D modeling of your current tooth positions using state-of-the-art scanning technology. This digital approach eliminates uncomfortable traditional impressions while capturing precise details needed for accurate treatment planning.

Advanced computer software creates a virtual treatment plan showing predicted tooth movements and final results before treatment begins. This preview allows you to understand expected outcomes and provides an opportunity for input regarding your aesthetic goals and timeline preferences.

Digital treatment planning ensures optimal aligner design and sequencing, minimizing treatment time while maximizing comfort and predictability throughout your orthodontic journey.

Discreet Professional Treatment

Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible when worn, allowing you to maintain a professional appearance during business meetings, social events, and personal interactions. The clear, thin material remains undetectable in most lighting conditions, providing confidence throughout treatment.

Clear aligner research from the American Association of Orthodontics shows most patients wear aligners for 20-22 hours per day, removing them only for meals and oral hygiene. This flexibility allows normal eating and drinking while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Professional adults appreciate the ability to remove aligners for important presentations, photographs, or special occasions, providing control over treatment visibility during significant events or activities.

Treatment Process and Timeline

Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of custom aligners, each designed to create specific tooth movements over approximately two-week periods. Progressive aligner changes gradually guide teeth toward final positions with minimal discomfort compared to traditional orthodontic adjustments.

Treatment duration varies based on case complexity, typically ranging from 6-18 months for adult cosmetic corrections. Regular monitoring appointments ensure treatment progresses appropriately while addressing any concerns or adjustments needed during the process.

Most patients adapt quickly to wearing aligners, experiencing minimal speech changes and finding them comfortable for daily activities. The smooth plastic material eliminates irritation common with metal brackets and wires.

Lifestyle Convenience

Clear aligners integrate seamlessly into busy professional and personal schedules, requiring fewer office visits than traditional braces while providing superior aesthetic results. Aligner changes occur at home according to prescribed schedules, with periodic check-ups ensuring optimal progress.

Oral hygiene maintenance remains simple with removable aligners, allowing normal brushing and flossing without special techniques or tools required for fixed appliances. This convenience supports optimal oral health throughout treatment.

Dietary restrictions are minimal since aligners are removed for eating, allowing you to enjoy all foods normally while protecting aligners from damage or staining during meals.

Precision Results Through Technology

Advanced aligner materials and manufacturing ensure precise tooth movements according to digital treatment plans. Each aligner incorporates specific force vectors designed to achieve targeted movements efficiently and comfortably.

Dr. Nguyen’s artistic training contributes to treatment planning by considering facial proportions, lip support, and aesthetic balance when designing final tooth positions. This comprehensive approach ensures results that enhance your overall facial harmony rather than simply addressing isolated alignment concerns.

Regular monitoring using digital scanning technology allows real-time treatment assessment and adjustments when needed, ensuring optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction throughout the process.

Post-Treatment Maintenance

Treatment completion includes custom retainer fabrication to maintain your new smile permanently. Retainer compliance ensures long-term stability of orthodontic results, protecting your investment in smile improvement.

Clear retainers provide ongoing discretion similar to treatment aligners, allowing you to maintain results without visible orthodontic appliances. Proper retainer care and regular replacement ensure continued effectiveness for years following active treatment.

We provide comprehensive post-treatment care, including retainer adjustments, replacements, and monitoring to ensure lasting results and patient satisfaction with their improved smile.

Investment and Financing Options

Understanding the value of a confident, properly aligned smile, we provide transparent Invisalign pricing and flexible payment options, making treatment accessible. Monthly payment plans through Cherry and CareCredit allow you to spread treatment costs over convenient terms fitting your budget.

Adult Invisalign treatment represents an investment in professional confidence, personal satisfaction, and long-term oral health. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of future dental problems and associated treatment costs.

We provide detailed treatment estimates, including all aligners, monitoring appointments, and retainer fabrication, ensuring you understand the complete investment in your smile transformation before beginning treatment.

Comprehensive Cosmetic Integration

Many adult Invisalign patients benefit from additional cosmetic dentistry procedures, creating comprehensive smile makeovers. Professional teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, or porcelain veneers may complement orthodontic results for optimal aesthetic outcomes.

Our comprehensive approach considers your overall smile goals, coordinating various treatments to achieve harmonious results, addressing both alignment and color, shape, or size concerns affecting your confidence.

Treatment sequencing ensures optimal results from combined procedures, with some cosmetic treatments performed before, during, or after orthodontic movement based on individual case requirements and aesthetic goals.

Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen

Our commitment to adult-focused clear aligner treatment ensures exceptional Invisalign results for Jacksonville professionals seeking discreet smile improvement. With hundreds of five-star reviews and recognition as Jacksonville’s top-rated dental practice, we understand the importance of maintaining professional appearance while achieving beautiful orthodontic results.

Dr. Mullens’ extensive experience, Dr. Nguyen’s artistic vision, and Dr. Petrie’s contemporary knowledge combine to provide comprehensive adult orthodontic solutions exceeding patient expectations. We believe your smile should reflect your success and confidence, and our specialized approach to adult clear aligner therapy ensures optimal results with minimal lifestyle disruption. To schedule your Invisalign consultation and discover how clear aligner therapy can enhance your smile, call 904-399-3163 or request an appointment online today.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs

Most people have four wisdom teeth, one for each quadrant of the mouth; however, some only have three, and others may not have any at all. According to the Dental Research Journal, a 2015 study found that between 5 and 37% of people are missing one or more of their wisdom teeth.

Although it’s unclear why some people do not have these third molars, it’s possible that genetics could be to blame. It is important to remember, though, that just because you cannot see your wisdom teeth does not mean they’re not there. It’s possible that they might be impacted (underneath the gumline). Only a dental X-ray can tell.

The only guaranteed way to eliminate pain caused by wisdom teeth is to have them removed by a dentist or oral surgeon. There are a few home remedies you can try to use that will help control some of your discomfort, such as using a cold compress and applying it to the outside of your cheek for 20 minutes at a time. By doing this for a few hours, you can numb the area and minimize swelling.

You can also take an OTC pain reliever as directed for temporary relief. Just be sure not to apply aspirin directly to the affected area, as this can irritate the tissues and worsen the discomfort. Another option is an OTC numbing gel that temporarily soothes gums. You can also rinse with warm saltwater to reduce bacterial buildup.

Once your wisdom tooth extraction is complete, you’ll need to wait a few hours before attempting to eat. You’ll still be wearing gauze to minimize any bleeding, so it’s best to wait until you no longer need them. Although you may feel hungry, it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions when it comes to choosing which food to eat.

Soft foods are best, as they don’t require much pressure. Trying to eat immediately following your surgery can be a problem, especially since you’ll likely still be feeling the effects of the anesthesia. If you are still numb, you may accidentally bite down on your lips, cheeks, or tongue.

For the first day, stick to a liquid diet but avoid the use of a straw. In the following days, eat only soft foods. Once four or five days go by, you can begin to incorporate denser foods as you feel comfortable.

After undergoing an oral procedure like wisdom tooth extraction, it’s important that you do not smoke or use any kind of tobacco products. The reason is that it can increase your chances of developing a dry socket. This is when the blood clot that forms over the surgical site becomes dislodged, resulting in extreme pain and a heightened risk of infection. Not to mention, the healing process becomes delayed if you develop a dry socket. Because smoking weakens the immune system, it can be much harder to fight off any kind of infection, essentially putting your oral and overall health at risk.

You should plan to avoid smoking or using any kind of tobacco for at least 48 hours; however, it’s best to wait even longer if possible. If you know that you’re preparing to have your wisdom teeth removed, use it as an opportunity to try and kick your habit for good.

Office Hours

8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 11:30 am

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

If you have any food debris or an object stuck between your teeth, don’t try to remove it with a toothpick or any sharp objects, as this could damage your gums. Typically, gently flossing around the tooth and rinsing your mouth with saltwater can help dislodge it. However, if you’re not having any luck, you can also give our office a call. Our dental hygienists have all of the necessary tools to safely remove the debris.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Lockjaw, jaw tension, and pain are just a few of the many different types of jaw pain. If your discomfort is chronic, our team can help you determine the underlying cause of it and refer you to a specialist if necessary. However, if your pain is a result of an impact, visit your local emergency room.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Our team is happy to provide you with further guidance over the phone if you’re unsure of where to go for help. You can place an ice pack on the outside of your face to relieve any discomfort.

How We Treat Jaw Pain: If you believe your jaw is broken, dislocated, or damaged due to trauma, visit your local ER immediately. If it’s a reoccurring issue, our team can help you determine best next steps for finding relief after conducting an examination.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?  If your oral injury doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes, you may need to go to the emergency room. Or, if you’re conflicted about what to do, give our office a call and our team can help.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Oral wounds can bleed a lot, and when the blood mixes with the saliva, it can make the injury look a lot worse than it is. You can stop the bleeding by using a clean washcloth or piece of gauze and pressing it against the cut. A cold compress can help to reduce any swelling that may occur.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Our team typically doesn’t see patients for injuries. If you require stitches or the bleeding doesn’t stop within 10 minutes of placing pressure on it, visit your local emergency room.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? If your tooth is wiggling in its socket or partially dislodged, try to get to our office as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. If you’re experiencing pain, our team can provide you with first aid guidance over the phone.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Avoid touching your tooth and eating any foods (especially those that are chewy or sticky), and rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater to remove any debris and cleanse the area. Avoid flossing or brushing your teeth until you’re able to see us.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: If your tooth has become partially dislodged due to impact, our team may be able to salvage it and see if the roots are able to re-fuse with the bone. In the case that your tooth can’t be saved, we may recommend an extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge.

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Whether your denture has broken to the point of it being unwearable or it just has a crack, you should never wear a damaged prosthetic. It can lead to irritation of the oral tissues in addition to jaw discomfort. If you have existing teeth and try to wear your damaged denture, it could also harm those teeth. Call our office immediately so our team can assess your prosthetic.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Although your local department store likely sells a denture repair kit, do not try to superglue or repair your own dentures. The best option in this scenario is to see a professional as soon as possible.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: Our team will examine your dentures and see if we’re able to repair them. If they’re damaged beyond repair, we can start the process of replacing them for you.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes, both of these situations warrant an immediate call to our Jacksonville dental office. That way, we can repair or replace your restoration as quickly as possible.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown In addition to reaching out to us to schedule an appointment, we recommend not eating anything crunchy, hard, or sticky. Additionally, keep your restoration somewhere safe, like a small, clean container.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns There are some cases where we can re-cement your restoration back in place, like if your dental crown is relatively new and in good condition. Other times, our only option is to replace your dental crown or filling with a new one.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since this dental injury can cause a significant amount of pain and there is only a small window of time where we can save your tooth (about 60 minutes), the answer is “yes!” So, don’t hesitate – contact our Jacksonville dental team right away to schedule an emergency appointment.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Calling us is an important first step. This ensures that we can schedule an appointment for you with one of our dedicated emergency dentists right away. Plus, it allows us to guide you through the process of preserving the root of your tooth – whether that’s by placing it back in its socket or putting it in a clean container filled with milk.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth Fortunately, a knocked-out tooth can sometimes be saved. If that’s not the case for some reason – like you weren’t able to find your tooth – then we will instead begin the process of replacing it with a dental bridge or implant so the look, health, and function of your smile are restored.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Very sensitive teeth can be a dental emergency. That’s why it’s important to consider how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms and if they are present in tandem with others, like pain when biting down.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth There’s really only one thing you can do until your appointment: try to avoid things that could exacerbate your discomfort. In other words, don’t drink anything really hot, don’t eat anything really cold, and take OTC pain medication as directed on the label (if needed).

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth That depends on what’s causing your dental sensitivity. If it’s a cavity, then it’s likely that a tooth-colored filling or dental crown is the answer. If it’s an infection in your gums, then gum disease treatment is needed instead.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Cracked teeth are considered dental emergencies and you’ll need to visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Leaving your tooth untreated can allow it to be vulnerable to further damage and bacteria. Before the situation worsens, schedule an appointment with our team so we can determine the best way to address your tooth.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Refrain from chewing on that side of your mouth, otherwise you could end up disturbing your injured tooth. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to minimize discomfort. You can also rinse with saltwater to keep your tooth bacteria-free. If you notice any sharp or jagged edges on your tooth, you can use dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your soft oral tissue.

How we treat cracked teeth: We’ll examine your cracked tooth to determine the cause of the situation as well as the proper treatment for it. If the crack is minor, then we can typically address it with composite resin to improve and strengthen your tooth. For more severe damage, you may require a dental crown to repair the structure and prevent future discomfort. If the tooth cannot be saved, then we’ll likely have to extract it and replace it with something else, such as a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Chipping your tooth isn’t always considered an urgent dental situation, so it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get it treated right away. That said, leaving it exposed to bacteria for too long can lead to problems later on. Before the situation can become worse, it’s best to visit your dentist for help.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Until you’re able to see us for treatment, be sure to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Be gentle when brushing your teeth and gums, and don’t hesitate to use dental wax to cover up any rough or sharp edges you might notice. This can help you prevent harming your cheeks or other soft oral tissue.

How we treat chipped teeth: Chipped teeth can typically be treated by using composite resin to repair and improve them. However, if the damage is more visible and toward the front of your smile, then veneers might be the longer-lasting solution you’re looking for.

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches can be due to various reasons, some of which might not be particularly urgent. Even so, this can sometimes be an indication of a more serious dental emergency, such as an oral infection. That’s why it’s best to visit your dentist sooner rather than later so that they can address the underlying problem before it grows.

How you should handle a toothache: Rinse your mouth with saltwater to sanitize the area, dislodge any stuck objects between your teeth, and help alleviate any discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications to further minimize the aching.

How we treat toothaches: Our team will need to thoroughly evaluate your smile to determine the root cause of your toothache. If it’s due to periodontal issues, then we’ll provide gum disease treatment. Other procedures to get rid of your toothache might involve root canals or tooth extractions, if necessary. We’ll be sure to walk you through your options before moving forward with any treatment.