Many adults spend their entire lives covering their mouths when they laugh, smile or talk. They feel stuck because they do not want to wear adult metal braces for years or they are concerned that other corrective teeth straightening procedures could be too invasive or too expensive. Now, there is an effective, safe and affordable cosmetic braces solution that fits your lifestyle.
We currently offer two types of orthodontic care treatment through 6 Month Smiles® and Invisalign®.
Six Month Smiles® short term orthodontic care treatment is a modern twist on tried-and-true orthodontics. There is little debate within the orthodontic community that braces are the most widely used and most effective method to give patients straight, healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Six Month Smiles has taken the best aspects of braces and modified the treatment and the materials to give adults a common-sense, cosmetic dentistry solution that fits your lifestyle. Here is what makes Six Month Smiles so innovative:
Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth.
To see what other patients think about Invisalign®, click here to learn about some of their experiencesDue to the various specialties in orthodontia, some orthodontists may only treat children instead of adults. Additionally, dentofacial orthopedics is an area of orthodontic care that involves more surgical elements in order to correct issues with the jaw or face. Overall, an orthodontist in New Hampshire treats the position of teeth and the jaw; while also changing the overall shape and appearance of a patient's face. At Landmark Dental Care, we find that many of our patients are pleasantly surprised by how dramatically different they look once their orthodontic treatment is complete.
Orthodontia was technically the first specialty created in the field of dentistry. In order to become an orthodontist, Dr. Harvey Weener had to complete additional schooling along with dental school. An orthodontist continues to train until he or she becomes a true expert at straightening teeth and aligning the jaw. This ensures dependable and reliable results for patients seeking orthodontic care. If you live in the Nashua area and are considering straightening your teeth, we invite you to call (603) 882-7312 and schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Harvey Weener. We will discuss your goals along with the treatment options that are available to you.
Why Orthodontics is Necessary
As a Nashua orthodontist, we find that many children suffer from overcrowding teeth issues, creating the need for our procedures. Overcrowding can cause teeth to grow in at incorrect or crooked positions, leading to difficulties as an adult.
Whether from an accident or a lack of oral hygiene, when a baby tooth falls out prematurely, the teeth around it move into the open space. This can cause the shape of the palate to change, taking up the room the adult tooth needs to grow in properly. In the past, many people had their teeth pulled in order to make space for all of their permanent teeth. Now, we can create space in your teeth using a variety of treatment methods.
At Landmark Dental Care, we also treat patients using orthodontics if their jaw is out of place. This can make it painful to speak, chew and even open one’s mouth. When the bite is off, many people find simple daily activities uncomfortable and seek treatment as a result. In other cases, we provide solutions for teeth that have grown in crooked, even if there was enough space for them. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can resolve all of these issues.
The Procedure
If you are considering straightening your teeth, there are several ways to do so. Regardless of the option you choose, the concept is virtually the same. The appliance must consistently apply pressure to move the teeth into position. We cannot force teeth into place immediately. There must be slow and consistent pressure in order to ensure that the teeth move without being damaged. Therefore, we do not apply pressure to all of the teeth at the same time. Instead, we apply pressure to specific teeth. An adjustment is made to apply additional force to a different tooth or teeth while holding the other ones in place.
When treating patients throughout Nashua we are cognizant of the importance of continued oral health care. We recommend that patients do a thorough job of regularly brushing and flossing their teeth. This will decrease the risk of cavities and gum disease while receiving orthodontic care.
Once the procedure is over, most patients are required to wear a retainer. Children that straighten their teeth may only need to wear a retainer for a couple of years, whereas adults often find themselves wearing a retainer for life. Ongoing retention ensures that teeth do not move back into their previous position – a risk with any orthodontics treatment.
Treatment Options
At Landmark Dental Care, we are proud to provide patients throughout New Hampshire with the ability to straighten their teeth and love their smile. There are multiple ways to move teeth into position, many of which, we offer at our office. Orthodontic solutions include:
Spacers and Expanders
Spacers and expanders are used prior to, or in conjunction with, wearing braces. When a patient suffers from overcrowding issues, these solutions can make space for the other teeth. It is critical for there to be room for teeth to move to, or the perfect smile will never be achieved. At times, children will wear an expander years before actually getting braces. This can help teeth to grow into the proper position; or at least, close to it.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are still an excellent way to straighten teeth. If you would like more information, we invite you to call 603-882-7312 to schedule a consultation. Technology has improved braces to where the brackets and wires are smaller than they once were. This has made braces more comfortable and less conspicuous at the same time. Simultaneously, smaller brackets mean that there are fewer opportunities for food to become stuck or for awkward photos. This form of braces is the best solution for children and at Landmark Dental Care and we highly recommend considering orthodontics as early as seven years of age. However, the actual start time depends on the child and their teeth.
Clear Aligners
We work with patients throughout the local area that are interested in straightening their teeth but (603) 882-7312 do not like the look or feel of traditional braces. In this case, clear aligners can accomplish the same or similar goals without making it obvious. Invisalign® use aligners to straighten teeth. With this consistent pressure applied, teeth will gradually move into position as they do when wearing braces. The aligners themselves look like full, clear retainers and are meant to be worn for around 22 hours per day. This is why many patients in Nashua prefer aligners – they can be taken out at any time.