The first step to starting my Invisalign treatment wasn’t an exam — it was finding the right dentist in South Florida.
When I met the women behind Dedicated Dental Group in Parkland, I knew they were the perfect dental experts for the job. The office is clean and modern and the staff is welcoming and professional, making the overall feel of the practice much more approachable than most dentist offices I’ve visited in the past.
This South Florida dentist office has been serving the South Florida area for over 20 years, offering everything from general family dental services to cosmetic and restorative procedures, oral surgeries, dental implants and more. It’s run by a mother-daughter team, Dr. Tatyana Nudel, DMD and Dr. Michelle Nudel, DDS.
Dedicated Dental Group uses the most advanced technology and aims to calm dental anxiety with sedation options and in-office comforts like heated massage glasses and aromatherapy. The newest addition to the practice focuses on an overall health and wellness experience featuring treatments that help you look and feel your best from the inside out. This includes medical-grade red light therapy, hydrogen inhalation, Botox, fillers, laser TMJ treatment, facial peels, and PRP anti-aging treatments.
The most important thing was that I felt this was a team that I could trust to guide me through the process of my smile makeover, and they definitely have done just that.
This Dentist in South Florida Made The Process Super Easy
When starting Invisalign, the first step is pretty simple: a consultation. Dr. Michelle examined my teeth and we talked through what I wanted to change. My main concerns were one front tooth and one on the bottom. The whole appointment felt really relaxed and conversational, which I appreciated. It’s basically your chance to ask all the questions about timeline, cost, lifestyle changes, or anything else related to dental care. By the end, we agreed that while my teeth honestly weren’t bad at all, a few small tweaks would make a big difference.
Once we decided Invisalign was the right fit, the dental assistant, Amanda, came in to do digital scans of my teeth. This part was actually really cool because I got to see a preview of how my teeth would move throughout the process and what my future smile would look like. Also, there are no messy molds anymore. Everything is done with a digital wand that scans your mouth in just a few minutes.
From there, my custom aligners were made, with each set designed to gradually shift my teeth into place over time.
A few weeks later, my aligners arrived and I went back to the office to officially start treatment. Small tooth-colored attachments were placed on certain teeth to help guide the movement and make the aligners work more effectively. Not going to lie, seeing the attachments at first kind of stressed me out. Even though they matched my teeth, they were still noticeable and so were the aligners.
But after a couple of days, I got used to them and stopped thinking about it. The bigger adjustment for me was definitely the lisp. Depending on your aligners and attachment placement, you might notice one too. Eventually I stopped noticing it so much, but it didn’t fully go away until my top attachments came off at the 3 month mark, and my aligners changed shape a bit.
The goal is to wear the aligners about 22 hours a day, only taking them out to eat, drink anything besides water, and brush your teeth. I switched to a new set every week, but that timing is different for everyone depending on your treatment plan. Every four weeks, I went back to Dedicated Dental Group to check my progress and pick up new trays.
My whole treatment ended up taking almost five months, though everyone’s dental plan and timeline is different. Once I finished, they did another set of digital scans for my retainers. Dr. Michelle had me wear them full-time for two weeks before switching to nights only. Trust me, the retainers are important. Without them, your teeth can shift back and undo all the hard work.
The process is actually way more seamless than people expect. It’s low-maintenance, flexible, and fits pretty easily into your day-to-day life, which is exactly why so many people go this route.
3 Important Things To Do During Invisalign Treatment
Invest in a Good Aligner Cleaner
One thing I quickly learned is that your aligners can start to feel gross fast if you’re not cleaning them properly and frequently. I love the Zima Dental DentalPod Pro because it has made cleaning my aligners so much easier. I also like its sleek design and color options. You just drop them in and let the ultrasonic technology do the work. It helped keep them clear, fresh, and way less prone to stains and buildup. Zima Dental also makes a travel case with UV light to help eliminate bacteria while on the go. If you’re wearing aligners 22 hours a day, having a solid cleaning routine makes a huge difference.
Keep a “Dental Kit” in Your Purse
This is a game changer. I kept a zippered pouch in my bag with a mini toothbrush, toothpaste, floss picks, toothpicks, mouthwash, and my aligner case. Invisalign definitely makes you more aware of your teeth after eating or drinking, especially when you’re out. Having everything with me meant I never had to stress about getting food stuck somewhere or putting my aligners back in without cleaning my teeth first.
As someone who admittedly hasn’t always been great about flossing, Invisalign actually helped make it a much more consistent part of my routine.
Be Mindful of Time When Eating & Drinking
The biggest lifestyle adjustment for me with Invisalign was just being aware of how long my aligners were out each day. This became especially important during long dinners and tasting events. I’d usually let myself get to around the two-hour mark, then make the conscious decision that I was done eating and put my aligners back in. It helped cut down on mindless overeating at events too.
I’ll be honest though…I definitely drank coffee, wine, prosecco, and cocktails with my aligners in sometimes and didn’t personally have any issues. I just made sure to clean my aligners really well afterward and stay on top of my dental hygiene. Obviously, follow your dentist’s recommendations, but for me, balance and consistency were more realistic than trying to be perfect 24/7.
Book an Appointment with Dedicated Dental Group, My Top Pick for the Best Dentist in South Florida
It’s never too late to get a healthy smile!
Dedicated Dental Group is located at 7321 North State Rd 7 in Parkland. This South Florida dental practice is currently accepting new patients. Visit them online at dedicateddentist.com or call 954-796-9900 to book an appointment. Business hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8 am to 5pm, Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm and Friday through Sunday by appointment only.
Follow them on Instagram for information about oral health and to get to know the faces behind the practice.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Dedicated Dental Group.
FAQs
The office accepts most PPO insurance plans, and can file a claim on your behalf to help you maximize your benefits. Flexible payment options are available to help you get your preventive care at an affordable cost. For more information on health care payment options, visit the website.
Yes, Dedicated Dental Group takes same-day appointments if you call before 11 am.
Dedicated Dental Group is located in Parkland, FL. Parkland is part of Broward County and borders West Boca Raton (north), Coconut Creek (east), Coral Springs (south), and the Everglades (west). It’s on North State Road 7, near its intersection with West Hillsboro Boulevard.
