Straight teeth matter, but finding a practice that understands your unique needs and treats you like family makes all the difference. Dr. Stephanie Kinsey, DDS, and our compassionate team provide orthodontist-level, exceptional care in a calming, spa-like environment. Palencia Dental blends advanced orthodontic treatment options with a personalized approach that sets our practice apart, creating a dental home where excellence meets genuine care.
Our Mission
Dr. Stephanie Kinsey and our team at Palencia Dental believe that orthodontic treatment is about more than creating beautiful smiles; it’s about improving your overall quality of life. While an orthodontist focuses exclusively on tooth alignment, our team integrates orthodontic health into your total smile makeover and general dental plan. Our practice prioritizes individual attention over volume, ensuring you receive our complete focus during your visit. Our mission is to exceed your expectations with high-quality orthodontic services delivered in a welcoming environment where you feel heard, valued, and confident in your treatment plan.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Stephanie Kinsey spent her career making her childhood dream of becoming a dentist a reality for both herself and her patients. After graduating with honors from dental school and completing her Chief Residency, she pursued advanced training that few dentists undertake, becoming an LVI Fellow through the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. With over 20 years of experience and recognition as a Top Dentist for Best of Jacksonville 2014, her specialized expertise in neuromuscular dentistry allows her to address issues that traditionally required an orthodontist within the context of overall jaw health and function, providing patients with results that look beautiful and feel comfortable for a lifetime.
Dental Treatments Without Pain or Fear
Dentist in St. Augustine, FL, Dr. Kinsey believes dentistry should be in an environment that is safe and anxiety-free, which is why Dr. Kinsey offers Sedation Dentistry.
There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, such as:
- Alleviating anxiety
- Fewer appointments by maximizing your time
- No needles
- No pain
- Few side effects
- Procedures may take less time
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Why Choose Us
At Palencia Dental, we’ve built our reputation on delivering results that go beyond aesthetics to improve function and long-term oral health.
TMD(TMJ) Treatment at Palencia Dental
TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, can be caused by various factors including jaw misalignment, stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), or injury to the jaw area. If left untreated, TMD can lead to chronic pain and discomfort, affecting daily activities and overall quality of life. Symptoms can worsen over time, especially with habits like teeth clenching or grinding, poor posture, or excessive gum chewing. Effective management and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications such as severe pain, joint damage, and difficulty in eating or speaking.
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Common Symptoms of TMJ
- Popping or clicking sounds in the jaw
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Teeth clenching or grinding, especially during sleep
- Difficulty fully opening or closing the mouth
- Jaw that doesn’t open straight
- Ear congestion or a feeling of fullness in the ears
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Bell’s Palsy (facial muscle weakness)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia (sharp, shooting facial pain)
At Palencia Dental, we offer specialized TMD treatments tailored to your specific condition, aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life. Our compassionate team, led by Dr. Stephanie Kinsey, utilizes a comprehensive approach that may include lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, physical therapy, and custom oral appliances. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with us to explore your treatment options and find relief from TMD discomfort.
Smile Gallery
TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome centers on the joint connecting your jaw to your skull, causing persistent jaw pain and pounding headaches. Teeth grinding during sleep erodes tooth structure and contributes to eroded jaw bones and loose teeth over time. Stress exacerbates jaw tension and muscle strain, while teeth misalignment places undue stress on this critical joint.
Dr. Stephanie Kinsey completed a three-month TMJ residency at The Center for Occlusal Studies in Parkersburg, West Virginia. We examine your jaw mechanics, bite alignment, and muscle function to identify the root cause of your dysfunction. Palencia Dental creates custom treatment plans using specially molded mouthguards, targeted physical therapy exercises, and restorative procedures that enhance jaw function, offering the same comprehensive care an orthodontist provides for alignment-related issues.
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Smile Makeovers
Smile makeovers represent a strategic combination of cosmetic dental treatments tailored to your individual needs and personality. Master ceramists handcraft each restoration to capture subtle nuances that complement your facial features naturally. Digital smile design technology maps out every enhancement with precision, addressing multiple teeth or your entire mouth rather than just one or two problem areas.
We follow a structured five-step process beginning with a complete smile assessment using advanced imaging to show potential improvements. Palencia Dental develops a custom treatment strategy specifically for you, then delivers expert treatment using precise techniques and effective anesthesia. Quality check appointments verify that your cosmetic work meets our orthodontist-level standards, ensuring your results last 10-15 years or more through proper maintenance.
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Dental Implants
Dental implants function as titanium artificial tooth roots surgically placed into your jawbone to create permanent tooth replacement. These innovative three-part restorations include a titanium post, an abutment connector, and a custom crown that matches your natural teeth perfectly. The titanium actively stimulates your jawbone during chewing, maintaining your facial structure and preventing the sunken appearance that tooth loss creates.
Palencia Dental starts with detailed impressions, x-rays, and 3D imaging to evaluate your bone density and gum health. We perform surgical placement under local anesthesia using computer-guided technology for reliable accuracy, applying the same meticulous planning an orthodontist uses for complex procedures. The implant then undergoes osseointegration over six months, fusing completely with your bone to create a stable foundation for your permanent restoration.
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Full Mouth Rehab
Full mouth rehabilitation addresses severe tooth decay, extensive missing teeth, damaged teeth from injury, and traumatic dental experiences requiring complete reconstruction. Dr. Stephanie Kinsey holds a Las Vegas Institute Fellowship in cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry, focusing on harmony between teeth, muscles, and joints. This holistic approach considers bite mechanics, jaw position, and tooth structure working together for lasting oral health beyond simple aesthetics.
Our team performs complete bite analysis, joint function evaluation, muscle assessment, and structural stability checks before developing your plan. Palencia Dental phases treatment strategically to optimize recovery time while coordinating procedures like dental implants, crowns, bridges, bone grafting, and root canals throughout your journey. We evaluate each smile individually as an orthodontist does in complex cases, recommending the most effective and least invasive options with material durability testing and preventive care strategies ensuring your rehabilitation provides lasting value.
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Orthodontics
Straightening teeth delivers benefits beyond aesthetics, serving critical preventive functions for your dental health. Overcrowding, crossbite, overbite, underbite, and gaps between teeth can trigger periodontitis and uneven enamel wear that compromise your smile over time. Palencia Dental provides solutions through traditional fixed braces or removable aligning trays designed for lifestyle flexibility.
Advanced imaging captures detailed views of your dental structure, allowing us to map precise movements for each tooth throughout treatment. Your personalized Invisalign trays are crafted with the same exacting standards an orthodontist applies for closing simple gaps and handling complex alignment cases. You’ll progress through your series of aligners every two weeks, applying gentle continuous pressure that repositions teeth without the discomfort associated with metal brackets and wires, and remaining virtually undetectable during wear.
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Aesthetic Services
Your facial aesthetics matter as much as your smile. At Palencia Dental, we’ve integrated advanced rejuvenation technology into our practice to address concerns like sagging skin, fine lines, and loss of facial volume that can affect your overall appearance and confidence. Dr. Kinsey assesses your needs with the same methodical approach as an orthodontist, developing a plan that complements your orthodontic transformation for complete facial harmony.
Our EXION platform uses intelligent technology that analyzes your skin’s unique characteristics in real-time and adjusts treatment parameters accordingly. This approach reaches multiple tissue depths to encourage natural production of structural proteins and moisture-retaining compounds. Our EMFACE system combines radiofrequency energy with high-intensity muscle stimulation to lift sagging areas, smooth wrinkles, boost collagen and elastin production, all in 20-minute sessions with no recovery period.
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Patient Testimonials
FAQs
What age should someone first visit an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first evaluation by age seven, even if they still have baby teeth. Early assessment allows identification of potential problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth. Adults can achieve excellent results at any age with modern options.
How long does typical orthodontic treatment take?
Duration varies based on the complexity of your case and the type of orthodontic service you choose. Invisalign® typically takes six months to two years, while traditional braces may require 18 to 36 months. During your consultation, Dr. Kinsey will evaluate your specific situation, saving you a trip to an orthodontist, and provide a personalized timeline based on your goals.
Will orthodontic treatment be painful?
Most patients experience some discomfort at the start or during adjustments, but this typically subsides within a few days. The pressure you feel rather than pain indicates your teeth are moving as planned. We offer sedation options for anxious patients and provide guidance on managing any temporary discomfort throughout your orthodontic experience, mirroring the support you’d receive from a dedicated orthodontist in St. Johns, FL.
How often will I need orthodontic appointments?
Appointment frequency depends on your progress and method. Patients with traditional braces typically visit an orthodontist every 4-6 weeks for adjustments, while Invisalign® patients may come in every 6-8 weeks for progress checks. Our convenient scheduling and “one person at a time” approach ensure each orthodontic visit receives the attention needed without feeling rushed.
Can orthodontic treatment improve more than just tooth alignment?
Proper care addresses bite alignment, jaw function, and overall oral health. Dr. Kinsey evaluates how your teeth, jaw joints, and facial muscles work together, using the same approach an orthodontist would apply. Correcting bite issues can reduce jaw pain, decrease teeth grinding, improve chewing efficiency, and even help with sleep-related breathing problems, demonstrating how comprehensive orthodontic treatment options benefit your whole-body health.
Enhance Your Smile With Trusted Orthodontic Care in St. Johns, FL
Your decision to pursue orthodontist-quality care is a significant step towards your long-term oral health. Dr. Stephanie Kinsey and our team at Palencia Dental combine advanced care with genuine compassion to help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. We make treatment a positive experience from consultation to completion with flexible options, cutting-edge technology, and a personalized approach that prioritizes your comfort.
Located at 159 Palencia Village Dr, Ste 107-109, St. Augustine, FL 32095, we proudly serve patients throughout St. Johns County. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram to see patient transformations, learn about orthodontic advances, and read our reviews on Yelp to see what our patients are saying. Ready to start your path to a confident new smile? Call or text us at 904-826-4343 to schedule your free consultation.
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