If you have braces or Invisalign® clear aligners, should you continue visiting your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings? Can your dentist still clean your teeth if you’re wearing braces? Spoiler alert – YES, it’s actually essential that you still visit your dentist throughout your orthodontic treatment! Here’s everything you need to know:   Before you begin treatment Before you begin treatment, it’s important that you aren’t past due with a cleaning and have had one within the last 6 months prior to your initial orthodontic exam. We want to ensure that your teeth and gums ar ..read more

So you went through orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign® in the past. Maybe you started off strong wearing your retainer every night after treatment. Then, one night, you left your retainer in its case… and that turned into multiple nights… and months… and maybe even years! Now you’re left wondering, “what do I do? Do I try to fit my retainer back in? Have my teeth moved out of place?” Your Blue Wave Orthodontics team is here to answer your questions! Here’s everything you need to know:   The unfortunate tale of orthodontic relapse Neglecting your retainer for an extended peri ..read more

Hey there, adults! In your busy day-to-day, you may be wondering if it’s still possible to fix your crooked teeth and get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Well the team at Insoft and Hurst Orthodontics is here to tell you “yes”! And even better…you’ll be able to embark on your smile journey using a discreet and comfortable treatment, Invisalign clear aligners. Now you may have more questions about this popular orthodontic treatment so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Invisalign FAQs, just for you:   1. What is Invisalign and how does it work? Invisalign® is one of the most popular c ..read more

Dental veneers have become a lot more popular lately. If you’re on Tiktok, Instagram or Facebook, you’ve probably seen some of your favorite ‘influencers’ sporting new veneer smiles. Are you considering veneers for yourself? Are porcelain veneers a good alternative to Invisalign® or braces treatment? We’re here to help you understand the realities of dental veneers, so you can make an educated decision on the best treatment route to help you achieve a stunning smile in 2024. Let’s dive into Invisalign vs. braces vs. veneers.   What are dental veneers? Dental veneers are the most common tr ..read more

We heard the recent news about SmileDirectClub closing its doors, and (unfortunately) we’re not surprised! Mail-order clear aligners have been known to cause irreparable damage to their patients’ precious smiles. We genuinely hope that you haven’t been negatively impacted by SmileDirectClub mail-order care. As experienced orthodontists, it’s reassuring to know that there is less risk of people experiencing smile-related issues in the future! We want you to know that we’re here for you and your family, and we’re not going anywhere! We’re proud to be Tampa and East Bradenton’s first choice for f ..read more

So you’ve just taken your child in for their first orthodontic exam and as one of our orthodontists is going over their recommended treatment plan for your kiddo, you hear the word “palatal expander”. If you immediately thought of some kind of alien vs predator device, we promise you it’s not that sinister! While Dr. Cetta or Dr. Guloy will explain your child’s braces or Invisalign treatment in detail (including any supplemental orthodontic appliances), you may find yourself with more questions after leaving our offices. That’s ok! Our team is here to answer your questions and provide you with ..read more

So you live in the beautiful Tampa, Florida, and you’re ready to experience a smile as bright and sunny as the weather? We’ve got you! If you’re looking for a high-quality, family orthodontist in Tampa, we’d love to introduce ourselves. Expert Invisalign Treatment for Your Family We invite you to Blue Wave Orthodontics for a free consultation and smile exam! Our South Tampa orthodontist office is conveniently located at 3739 W. Neptune St. Tampa, FL, 33629. We also have a North Tampa orthodontist office located at 1773 W. Fletcher Avenue Tampa, FL 33612! If you’re interested in Invisalign for ..read more

Whether your family dentist talked with you about braces or maybe you’re just considering orthodontic treatment, you may be wondering if it’s worth it! At Blue Wave Orthodontics, we believe that a beautiful, healthy smile is worth the journey. And it doesn’t hurt to know a little more about how your teeth can affect your quality of life. One common orthodontic problem that many new patients come to us concerned about is crowded teeth.  So let’s explore how crowded teeth affect your smile health and how this condition is treated! What causes crowded teeth? Your smile starts to become overc ..read more

Imagine you just completed your Invisalign® treatment. You’re removing your last set of Invisalign clear aligners and are ready to show off your beautiful, healthy smile. (You worked so hard for it, should be so proud!) you revel in the beautiful results that you, your Invisalign aligners, and our orthodontists created! You look in the mirror and see sparkly straight teeth. (Is that Brad Pitt looking back at you in the mirror?) You feel like a superstar! You undoubtedly feel like a new person, and you can’t wait to share your new smile with the world! But what happens now? And how can you ke ..read more

At Blue Wave Orthodontics, your retainers are included in your treatment price. Orthodontic retainers, as the name implies, retain the teeth in their new healthy position after both braces and Invisalign treatment. Immediately after treatment, patients may be advised to wear their retainers full-time for the first six months (except for meals and brushing). After this, they should be worn for nights only! Proper retainer care and use are imperative for keeping your brand-new smile as nice as the day the braces or Invisalign came off.   Caring for your retainer after braces or Invisalign ..read more