Treatment Options
Serving Patients Young & Old
Our practice serves pre-teens, teens, and adults for all your orthodontic needs. If you’re looking for an orthodontist who offers a variety of braces and Invisalign® in Tallahassee, Dr. Clark is an industry leader. He is an Invisalign® Platinum provider – one of the highest designation awarded from Invisalign for proficiency, accuracy, and patient trust. His experience is directly reflected in your treatment. At Clark Orthodontics, our friendly, caring and skilled team will be there every step up of the way – from your first appointment to your final visit – to ensure your treatment plan is fulfilled and that you are delighted with your amazing new smile!
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Orthodontics
What is it?
Invisalign offers the least noticeable treatment options when it comes to straightening your teeth. The plastic aligners are clear and removable. If you are interested in straightening your teeth but are nervous about how metal braces will affect your confidence then Invisalign may be the option for you.What are the benefits?
Clear & see-throughComfortable fit
Removable
No eating restrictions during treatment
Decreased office visits
Impressive results
No change in home care
Doesn’t inhibit a natural smile
How does it work?
After a thorough evaluation of your precise needs, Dr. Clark will customize a treatment plan specifically for you. Using 3D imaging, a series of progressively straighter aligners will be made for you and you will wear a new one approximately every two weeks. Typically, the Invisalign aligners should be worn 22 hours a day and requires checkups at Clark Orthodontics only every 8-10 weeks.What is it?
Dr. Clark is proud to be a certified Damon® System doctor. The Damon® System is a state-of-the-art orthodontic appliance system that revolutionizes orthodontic treatment and the overall patient experience.What are the benefits?
Increased comfortDecreased treatment time
Reduced strain on gums, bones and teeth
Remarkable results
How does it work?
Traditional braces use elastics, which cause high amounts of friction and pressure, and result in less comfort. With the Damon® System, a sliding mechanism holds the wire which lets your teeth move more effortlessly and more comfortably. Lighter forces have been proven to actually move teeth faster than heavier forces. The lack of elastic bands also allows for better dental hygiene throughout treatment. In some cases, Damon® System patients can avoid surgery which would have otherwise been necessary in conjunction traditional braces.Getting Stargted: Invisalign ® Treatment
Click here to know more...Instructions For The Proper Use Of Your Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Elastics, or rubber bands, are used to move groups of teeth. It is essential that they are worn as directed, or else treatment will last longer, and we may not be able to get your teeth to fit correctly.
Some important points to remember:
- Your teeth will be sore for a few days. Take Advil™, Aleve™, or Tylenol™ to help you feel better. For kids going to school, Aleve has the advantage of working through the school day, so you don’t have to arrange medication dosing with the school. Please do not remove the elastics to relieve the pain. The pain will go away by itself as the teeth move.
- Change your elastics twice each day, at least.
- Always carry extra elastics with you when you leave the house. They do break and need immediate replacement.
- If you find that your supply of elastics is running low, please stop by and pick some up or call us,and we will mail some to you.
- If for any reason you cannot wear your rubber bands, call us for advice or help.
- Remember that for every hour the rubber bands are not working, it takes six hours to catch up to where you were when the rubber bands were taken off. Honest!
- It is a good idea to periodically check the bands and brackets that you hook your rubber bands to as they can become loose. Call us if they are!
- If you are supposed to wear the elastics al the time, please wear them all the time, including eating. The only time they should be removed is when you are brushing your teeth. When you take them off to brush, put one on your finger to remind you to put them back on.
- We can’t wear the rubber bands for you, so it is up to YOU!
What are they?
Clear braces are an option of the Damon® System. The clear brackets blend in with your teeth and are less apparent. If you have cosmetic concerns but are looking for the effectiveness of the Damon® System, then Damon Clear may be the right option for you.What are the benefits?
Decreased noticeabilityIncreased comfort
Decreased treatment time
Reduced strain on gums, bones, & teeth
Outstanding results
How do they work?
Damon Clear functions just like the original Damon® System. Traditional braces use elastics, which cause high amounts of friction, pressure, and result in less comfort. With the Damon® System a sliding mechanism holds the wire which lets your teeth move more effortlessly and more comfortably. Lighter forces have been proven to actually move teeth faster than heavier forces. The lack of elastic bands also allows for better dental hygiene throughout treatment. In some cases, Damon® System patients can avoid surgery which would have otherwise been necessary in conjunction traditional braces.What are they?
As your resource for orthodontist care in Tallahassee, we offer Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) as a solution to anchoring limitations in orthodontic treatment. TADs provide Dr. Clark with the ability to help straighten your teeth even when anchoring challenges are present.What are the benefits?
Substitutes for a natural anchorTemporary
Placed in office
Allows proper orthodontic treatment
Can prevent the need for replacement of missing teeth.
How do they work?
TAD placement is a routine procedure. Miniature alloy devices are fixed temporarily to provide an anchor for orthodontic appliances.Additional Options
What is it?
A too-gummy smile can make your teeth look too small, too short, or too square. Smile enhancement helps restore esthetic balance to your smile, creating a more natural, more proportioned smile. It can be performed on a single tooth, or on several teeth, and usually in a single visit.What are the benefits?
A more-pleasing uniform lookShort teeth look longer and more proportioned
Lip-gum-teeth proportion is improved
Healthier-looking more-youthful smiles
Increase in self-confidence in you’re self-conscious.
CONGRATULATIONS! Your braces have been removed, and it is time to wear your retainers. The months of effort by Dr. Clark, his staff, and especially you have produced a terrific smile. Now comes the retention phase of your treatment, where your cooperation is essential in maintaining your beautiful smile.
GUIDELINES FOR KEEPING THAT GREAT SMILE
1. NEVER, EVER WRAP THE RETAINER IN A NAPKIN!2. Expect to “talk funny” for a few days.
3. Clean retainers twice daily while holding in the palm of your hand with a toothbrush.
4. Keep away from excessive heat such as in a hot car, oven, or microwave; including hot water while brushing.
5. Call immediately; if you have a broken retainer.
6. Call immediately if your retainer is loose or not fitting properly.
7. KEEP YOUR RETAINER(S) AWAY FROM DOGS AND CATS – they love them!
8. Always bring your retainer(s) with you when you come in for an appointment.
The following schedule applies for retainer wear:
2 months FULL TIME
After 2 months, JUST AT NIGHT indefinitely (Everyone is different, and Dr. Clark will customize a schedule suited for your specific needs.)
8 weeks – recheck appointment
6 months – recheck appointment
After 6 months, appointments for retainer checks - ONLY AS NEEDED
After 1 year – a $90 office fee applies
Retainer(s) must be worn at all times, except when eating and brushing your teeth, or until instructed otherwise by Dr. Clark. When retainers are not in the mouth, they should be in the retainer cases. This will protect them from most forms of breakage.
NEVER CARRY YOUR RETAINERS IN YOUR POCKET WITHOUT THEM BEING IN THEIR CASES!Good luck and congratulations on your new smile!
I acknowledge that I have received my retainer(s) and have received both verbal and written instructions regarding how to care for and wear my retainers. I also understand that a failure to wear my retainers could result in undesirable tooth movement.
If a replacement retainer is needed, there will be an additional fee.
What is it?
When you experience pain, discomfort, poor function, or abnormal appearance due to the misalignment of your jaws, surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery) may be a treatment option for you. Though traditional orthodontic treatment is capable of shifting your teeth to improve your bite, orthognathic surgery is required to correct jaw misalignment. Combined, orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery are capable of correcting jaw and teeth misalignment issues and improving aesthetics and function.What are the benefits?
Increased comfort/decreased painImproved function (biting, chewing, & swallowing)
Improved facial aesthetics
Improved breathing & sleeping
How does it work?
The process to correct your jaw alignment will begin by wearing braces for a time period specified by your doctor. Your surgery will be planned and explained using advanced 3D imaging techniques. Through these images, you will be able to see how your bite will improve with surgery. In a surgical setting, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will realign your jaw in the proper location and your proven techniques will be used to strengthen your jaw. Typically braces will also be required following surgery, eventually followed by a retainer. Recovery time has been significantly decreased through the progression of the procedure. Diet and lifestyle changes will only be required for a short time following the surgery.What is it?
At Clark Orthodontics, we are proud to provide state-of-the-art imaging technology. CBCT imaging for orthodontics has many benefits for our patients. To reduce exposure to our patients, the scan lasts a short 4.8-seconds.What are the benefits?
Short scan timeReduced radiation exposure
Comprehensive images
Improved treatment process.
How does it work?
The CBCT technology presents Dr. Clark with a 3D image that reveals all the information necessary to provide proper orthodontic treatment including views of teeth, roots, jaw joints, sinuses, and tooth position in relationship to other teeth. The quick scan helps improve treatment processes because of its incredible detail and accuracy.What are they?
Customized mouthguards made right here in our office are your first line of defense when you or your child is playing any sport that could result in a direct hit to the mouth, jaw, or teeth (baseball, basketball, football, hockey…). Most recreational and school sports teams require their members to wear one.Why wear a mouthguard?
Like a helmet protects your head, this affordable and necessary piece of equipment protects your teeth and jaws by distributing an impact over the entire mouth and jaw, lessening the power of the blow to the strike zone. It also prevents the upper and lower jaws from hitting forcefully, and intercepts bites to the tongue, cheek, and lips.Follow these steps to care for your mouthguard:
After each use, brush your mouthguard with toothpasteAlways play with it in place. Don’t “pop it” or chew on it.
Keep it in its case when not in use. We will supply you with one.
What is it?
Many things can turn your smile wattage down – primarily deeply colored food & drink, smoking, and even plain ol’ aging. With our take-home teeth whitening kit, those stubborn surface stains that just can’t be removed by brushing will be a thing of the past!Why is it for me?
96% of people surveyed by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) think that a white smile made people more attractive.Flashing a big bright white smile can improve your mood by releasing endorphins.
Projecting strength & confidence makes a great first impression.
Another AACD survey says that 74% of people feel an attractive smile can improve your chance of career success.
You’ll be more likely to smile … transforming yourself and the world around you, benefiting your health and happiness!
How does it work?
1. Call us for a consultation.2. Take your kit home and follow the easy instructions.
3. Smile like crazy! 😉