Ponce de Leon Family Dentistry

A Great Dentist

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(904) 797-9009

4 St Johns Medical Park Drive
Saint Augustine, FL 32086

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Ponce de Leon Family Dentistry > Services > Orthodontics

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"I can’t say enough about Dr. Haeussner as a person and a dentist. He is wonderful. He takes the time to listen to my concerns. He is by far the best dentist I have ever seen. The entire team at Ponce deLeon Family Dentistry is amazing. I’ve recommended this office to family members, friends and coworkers. It is the friendliest, cleanest, and most state of the art dentist office I have ever been to; top of the line all the way. I would never go anywhere else. Thank you! ~Jill"

Orthodontics

At Ponce de Leon Family Dentistry, we believe that all smiles are beautiful smiles. But we also recognize that many smiles could be healthier than they currently are and some conditions increase your risk of developing problems like decay and gum disease.

Misaligned teeth are one of these risk factors.

You may have thought about orthodontics in the past to straighten your teeth and improve both the appearance of your smile and its health. Maybe you changed your mind because you were concerned about the cost, the time commitment, and the look of braces.

Whatever your reasons, come talk to us so that we can discuss your specific concerns and determine how we can help. You might be surprised at the options available to you!

Improve Your Smile's Appearance with Short-Term Braces

One of our most popular options for correcting misaligned teeth is short-term braces. Most of these cases are complete in six months or less and are an excellent option if you just need to straighten the teeth that show when you smile. Short-term braces work so quickly because they are designed to only move the front teeth that show and are not intended for more severe alignment issues, particularly those that involve the back teeth. Even though the braces work so quickly, they don't exert an uncomfortable amount of force. Short-term braces are primarily used for adults; however, there are some occasions where an older teenager may benefit from them.

If you have more a complex misalignment or your bite is involved, we will need to look at a more comprehensive option.

Are You a Candidate for Invisible Braces?

One of the most popular orthodontic options we offer at our St. Augustine dental office is invisible braces. These clear aligners slip over your teeth and use steady pressure to gently guide your teeth into their proper locations.

One of the biggest advantages of this orthodontic option is that most people will never be able to tell that you are wearing them – even from up close! Invisible braces also don’t require you to change the foods you eat because you remove them before each meal or snack.

Full Comprehensive Braces

While we can treat many of the cases we see with either invisible braces or short-term braces, there are some situations where traditional comprehensive braces are the appropriate solution.

Comprehensive braces are used to treat moderate to severe tooth misalignments and problems with the bite such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and more. While you may be disappointed to learn that traditional braces are the most appropriate option, it’s important to focus on what you will be gaining by straightening your teeth.

For one thing, straight, properly aligned teeth are easier to clean. When you have teeth that are tightly crowded, overlapping, or twisted, it’s difficult to clean them properly with brushes and floss, and even hygienists may have a challenging time reaching all the surfaces. Unfortunately, bacteria can still get into these tight spots, which sets you up for decay and gum disease.

Bite misalignments also contribute to a whole host of problems. You may experience teeth grinding, which is associated with cracked teeth, abractions (notching of the teeth near the gumline), and even loose or lost teeth. Grinding and clenching is also associated with headaches and pain in the jaw. Bite misalignment can often be a contributing factor in temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or TMD), which is a painful condition of the jaw joint.

Call to Schedule a Consultation

Which option is right for you? Please call our office to schedule your orthodontics consultation with St. Augustine dentist Dr. T. Daniel Haeussner. He’ll discuss your options and make a recommendation as to which one is right for you.

Dennis H. "best experience I’ve ever had at a dentist"

This is for my dentist, Dr. Daniel Haeussner in St. Augustine. I’ve been visiting him I guess now for five years. My name is Dennis Hixon. I tell you, this is the best experience I’ve ever had at a dentist. He’s always able to get me in at the last minutes notice if I’ve had a problem. He did my braces for me and it worked out easy payment terms. Actually, if I even lived in Jacksonville, Florida I would drive down to St. Augustine to see him. I think him and his whole crew there at the dentist office is just the best I’ve ever visited and I just want to let you guys know that. Thank you very much!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you see children?

Yes! We are a family dental practice, and we love providing care to entire families!

We typically recommend that children begin coming to our practice around age 3. By this time they should have all their baby teeth in and we'll be able to get a good idea as to how dental development is progressing. Plus, by age 3, children can usually communicate pretty well, sit still long enough for an examination or a cleaning, and follow our directions. They will be able to ask and answer questions, and they will have developed a natural curiosity about the world.

Childhood dental care is so important. For one thing, it's important to establish dental care early so that your child can see that the dentist's office is a safe and comfortable place to be. This will help alleviate the potential for dental fears as your child grows up. Additionally, building these habits early sets the stage for ongoing excellent dental health habits so that your child's healthy smile can remain that way for a lifetime.

If you have any concerns about your child's dental health or their dental development prior to this age, please call our office. We can discuss your concerns with you and determine whether a referral to a pediatric dental specialist is the right option for your family.

Meet Our Doctor:

T. Daniel Haeussner, DMD

Dr. Haeussner has lived in Northeast Florida since 1975. Dentistry runs in his family! His father was a dentist, his mother is a dental hygienist, and his brother is also a dentist.

After graduating from Bishop Kenny High School, Dr. Haeussner received his undergraduate degree from his beloved University of Florida. He is very proud of his Gator education and bleeds orange and blue. He then went on to graduate from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, where he obtained an excellent education and also learned to appreciate the mild ...