Clear Aligner Therapy (Sure Smile, Invisalign) in Concord, NH
Have you considered straightening your teeth?
Braces are often considered a “rite of passage” for teenagers, and more adults than ever are looking into fixing their crooked, twisted, or overlapping teeth. One of the main reasons, however, that people don’t fix crooked teeth is the cost, discomfort, and hassle associated with traditional bracket and wire braces.
At White Park Dental, we have the solution. You may have heard of the “invisible braces” system known as Sure Smile or Invisalign. This innovative technique uses clear plastic aligners to gently guide your teeth into the proper alignment. It’s a perfect choice for adults who need to maintain a mature and professional appearance and teenagers who are concerned about their looks or have a condition that doesn’t require treatment with traditional braces.
Do I Need to Straighten My Teeth?
We believe in practicing conservative dentistry with a preventive focus, and Invisalign is a part of that philosophy. While most people think of crooked teeth as a primarily cosmetic issue, the truth is that crooked teeth can actually lead to a number of significant dental health issues.
When your teeth are tightly crowded together, it’s easy for particles to get trapped in between them and it’s difficult for you to remove these with a toothbrush and dental floss. The same problem happens when your teeth overlap or are twisted. Even teeth with gaps can be problematic because food has a tendency to get caught in the gaps and remain there for longer than it should.
Over time, this trapped debris can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, when your teeth aren’t properly aligned, it can cause your entire bite to become misaligned (a condition known as malocclusion). This can lead to excess pressure on your teeth, jaw pain, and even erosion.
Ultimately, the decision is yours, but we believe that it helps to know all the facts so that you can make an informed and empowered decision.
The Advantages of Clear Aligner Therapy
Our patients love Sure Smile and how simple and convenient it is to use. Sure Smile has several advantages over metal orthodontics, including:
- The clear, plastic aligners are virtually invisible once they are in place.
- You remove your aligners to eat, so your food choices aren’t limited like they are with braces.
- You also remove your aligners for cleaning, so you can brush and floss as usual without the hassle of working around brackets and wires.
- Fewer adjustments are needed, so you’ll spend less time in the dental chair.
- You don’t have to deal with the discomfort of tightening wires; instead, you’ll simply move to the next aligner in the series as prescribed by Dr. Harvey.
Contact Our Local Office in Concord, NH
Sure Smile can treat a range of orthodontic concerns, but in some cases, traditional braces may be more appropriate. The best way to find out is to schedule an appointment with our Concord, NH dentist. Dr. Harvey will examine your teeth and discuss your goals and concerns with you to determine whether Invisalign is the right solution.
Call today to schedule your consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Improve Your Smile & Health
Not only can straightening your teeth with orthodontics (braces/Invisalign) provide you a desirable smile, it can allow for easier home care and healthier gums. Harmful bacteria that resides in all of our mouths needs to be removed regularly. It likes to hide in nooks and crannies, and therefore straightening your teeth will allow for more ease in removing plaque with brushing and flossing, and when you see your hygienist. This can prevent bone and tooth loss, which will preserve your pearly whites!
Although this is one of the most common questions we get about Invisalign in Concord, NH, it’s also one of the hardest to answer.
The ultimate goal of Invisalign is to straighten a mouth full of crooked teeth, and the length of time needed for this process varies from patient to patient. Each of our dental patients has their unique facial structure and alignment challenges, which means that the number of aligner trays they’ll need will be different from other patients.
On average, the Invisalign treatment process usually takes between a year and a year and a half. However, some patients who have minor alignment concerns will only need around six months of treatment. In comparison, others with more moderate orthodontic needs may take longer than eighteen months to complete treatment.
Invisalign is not a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why it takes longer for some people than for others. It’s common to see noticeable results after only a month or two, while other patients will need more time before they see their teeth start to shift. Overall, however, our patients tend to wear their Invisalign trays for one to two years.
The best way to know how long you can anticipate your Invisalign treatment to last is by calling our Concord, NH dentist at (603) 225-4143.
Invisalign is a highly popular orthodontic treatment for adults and older teenagers, but is it the right choice for children? Not usually, no.
While any patient who has all of their permanent teeth can wear Invisalign aligners, it’s not typically our first recommendation for children. Part of what makes Invisalign so attractive is its removable trays, and this feature can create a strong temptation to keep your aligners out more often than you should.
Your smile will only straighten as you wear your Invisalign trays as directed, which means at least 22 hours each day. And because Invisalign is only as successful as the compliance of the patients who wear it, we don’t encourage young children to go through the program.
Patients who choose Invisalign in Concord, NH need to wear their aligners all the time, both during waking and sleeping hours, except for when they’re eating or cleaning their teeth. Additionally, patients need to wash and rinse their Invisalign trays frequently and to keep track of how long they’ve worn each tray before moving to the next one.
While some teenagers with more developed mouths may be good candidates for Invisalign, our dental team will recommend traditional braces to younger patients and all patients who would struggle to take their aligners in and out throughout the day.
Meet Our Doctor:
Kristen E. Harvey DDS, MAGD
Dr. Kristen E. Harvey graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2010. She was recognized for academic excellence and leadership by being inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon and was awarded the Maryland Academy of General Dentistry Award for High Proficiency in Clinical Care and Patient Management.
Prior to dental school, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. In the following year, she was a research fellow at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Maryland.
After dental ...
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At White Park Dental, your Concord, NH dentist offers Invisalign for adults and older teens. It is a much-requested orthodontic option that straightens smiles discreetly.
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