You may not sport a sparkling 3-carat diamond on your finger or zip around town in a shiny Ferrari, but you can flash a celebrity-caliber smile. Cosmetic dentistry from Harris Dental in Phoenix AZ is an investment in you. And it pays off every single day.
When you ask about cosmetic dentistry, you’ll get reliable advice because we have transformed countless smilesm and know what is involved with each particular procedure.
Possibilities include:
Teeth whitening. There are a lot of over-the-counter products that can whiten your smile. None of them have the whitening power of the professional-grade whitening available at our office.
Porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin ceramic shells that are custom-made for individual teeth. They’ll cover chips, cracks, and gaps between teeth, giving you a perfect smile.
Clear braces. Are your teeth a little crooked? Clear braces are nearly invisible. They come out at mealtime and to brush your teeth, and leave you with perfectly aligned teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry from Harris Dental in Phoenix AZ is an investment in yourself that pays off again and again. People from Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Mesa have come to us to improve their smiles, and for our complete general dentistry. Call for an appointment today!
If you are researching orthodontics, you have probably heard about clear aligners. They offer several advantages over traditional metal braces. The most popular benefit is the fact that they are nearly invisible.
Millions of people have aligned their teeth with aligners in the past twenty years since they were developed.
We at Harris Dental in Phoenix AZ are here to guide you through the process.
Invisalign
Invisalign pioneered clear aligner orthodontics. Established in 1997, Invisalign has shaped more than 6 million smiles throughout the world.
Invisalign (as with the other types) uses virtual modeling software to create custom aligners formed specifically for your teeth.
First, you’ll start with a consultation where we will look at your teeth. They will work with you to determine which Invisalign treatment plan will work best for your teeth, lifestyle, and dental goals. Then, they will set you up with aligners that are tailor-made for you.
It’s vital to note that you will never be left on your own to figure out what step is next. Harris Dental in Phoenix AZ will be with you every step of the way.
SmileDirectClub (And Other At-Home Systems)
Though we don’t recommend this system, let’s talk about the “mail-order orthodontics” products. We are including an explanation of SmileDirectClub and other at-home systems so you’ll understand their potential potential dangers and limitations.
SmileDirectClub provides custom clear aligners without regular office visits. They advertise an average cost savings of 60% of orthodontist-administered Invisalign and similar system. They report that the average length of treatment is 6 months.
All aligner systems require a 3D image of your teeth. With Invisalign and ClearCorrect, your dentist creates the scan in their office.
With SmileDirect, you can visit one of their “SmileShops” for a scan. There are SmileShops in every U.S. state but you may have to make a long trip. They also serve you with you the option of taking your own impression using their at-home kit.
Your treatment is supposedly supervised by a dentist or orthodontist—but you don’t visit them in person. Your dentist doesn’t take X-rays or examine your progress.
Because of this, we don’t recommend these types of systems. Your smile is too important to use a DIY approach. Your teeth could end up worse than before! The problems could be pricey to correct. In a worst-case situation, you could experience irreversible damage.
The American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists have published warnings against at-home orthodontics.
We at Harris Dental in Phoenix AZ your smile and aligner experience.
Schedule a consultation with us to determine which system is best for you. We serve patients from Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Mesa and include general dentistry, laser dentistry, and gum disease treatment among our services as well.
At Harris Dental in Phoenix AZ, we know that a common dental problem tends to go undiagnosed for years. This is because people chalk it up to genetics and don’t even realize it’s a problem. The problem we’re talking about is, of course, malocclusion.
Literally meaning “bad bite,” it is a term coined by Edward Angle, a pioneer in modern orthodontics. Malocclusion is fairly common in the population as a whole but often, the misalignment is so slight that it causes no issues. Sometimes, however, it can cause symptoms like headaches, neck pain, and tooth pain.
When you combine multiple teeth on two arches and a jaw joint with a considerable range of motion, it is easy to see how these elements can fail to align properly. In fact, it is a wonder that they work correctly for most people – allowing them to talk, eat, and breathe without giving it a second thought.
There are many causes of malocclusion – some originating with the teeth and some originating with the jaw. Misshapen teeth, extracted teeth, impacted teeth, crowded teeth, and widely spaced teeth can influence the bite. Injury to the jaw can also cause malocclusion as well as improperly fitting restorations and other dental appliances.
Children with a normal bite can develop bite dilemmas with prolonged pacifier use, thumb sucking, or bottle drinking. In rarer cases, oral tumors can move a bite out of alignment.
The treatment for malocclusion depends on the cause. Invisalign® invisible braces can move teeth into alignment to fix bite issues. Overcrowding often requires extraction of one or more teeth. Misshapen teeth that affect the bite can often be corrected with crowns or dental bonding.
At Harris Dental in Phoenix AZ, we are ready to discuss your options and design a dental plan to deal with your malocclusion. Don’t hesitate. Patients from Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Mesa come to us for cosmetic and general dentistry. Contact us today!
Are you thinking about getting braces? Harris Dental can help. Check out all the new types. The current menu of orthodontic treatments requires a whole new glossary.
Lingual Braces and Invisible Braces
Lingual braces are sometimes described as ‘braces behind the teeth.’ These braces can be just as effective at realigning adult teeth as the traditional ‘metal and wires’ kind but are almost completely hidden. Many adults and adolescents who straighten their teeth choose this type of orthodontia.
Clear braces, like those from Invisalign, resemble an athlete’s mouth guard. They are removable, so you can take them out for meals and to brush and floss.
Traditional and Clear Retainers
Once a patient has completed treatment, retainers must be worn regularly to keep the beautiful straight teeth in their corrected position. There are several types of retainers available. The time-tested Hawley retainer consists of a metal wire that surrounds the teeth and keeps them from shifting. The metal wire is attached to a molded acrylic form that fits snugly in the upper mouth (palate) or lower mouth.
Clear retainers are newer on the orthodontic scene. They cover the teeth like a see-through glove and do not need metal bows or clasps. Some retainer wearers believe clear retainers are more comfortable than Hawley retainers.
You don’t need to live with a mouth full of metal to get the beautiful teeth you are seeking. Let Harris Dental develop a custom treatment plan for your smile.
Imagine straightening your teeth into a perfect smile, without having to wear metal braces for the next few years. With clear braces from Harris Dental in Phoenix, it is possible.
Clear braces by Invisalign have revolutionized orthodontics. Sometimes called invisible braces, they are thin plastic trays, or aligners, that look like an athletes mouth guard. They aren’t really invisible, but they are so clear that most of the people around you won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
Clear braces work by gently bringing your teeth into proper alignment. People love them not just because they work, or because they are almost undetectable. They also love them because, unlike metal braces, they are removable. Take them out at mealtimes, and you’ll never have to bother with cleaning bits of food from your braces.
Invisalign braces are custom-made for each patient. Specialists use dental impressions, pictures, and x-rays to create them. They are the perfect choice for those who want to re-align their bite, but don’t want the inconvenience of metal braces.
For more about Invisalign clear braces, call us at Harris Dental in Phoenix. We also provide general and cosmetic dentistry.
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