The two systems—traditional metal braces and Invisalign invisible braces—work in approximately the same way. Pressure is applied at strategic points on your teeth, forcing them to shift into alignment. The difference is in how that pressure is applied. Metal braces resort to brackets and connecting wires which have to be tightened and adjusted frequently by an orthodontist. With Invisalign, a series of clear plastic aligners is created specifically for your mouth, with each successive aligner being designed to apply the correct amount of pressure in the right places to ensure that the next aligner will fit and can do its job. The aligners are customized, so all Dr. Harris has to do to “adjust” your braces is give you the next aligner in the series. It’s simple, it’s effective, and best of all, your smile will become straighter without anyone knowing how it happened! Call us at Harris Dental to learn more about Invisalign. It will be our little secret!

The most obvious advantage to using Invisalign is that you end up with straighter teeth, which helps your smile look its best. But straighter teeth do more for you than just look great. Having well-aligned teeth makes brushing and flossing easier and more effective, which in turn reduces your risk of getting cavities. Each new Invisalign aligner tends to apply less pressure than having your metal wires adjusted would, which means less discomfort all around for you. But the biggest reason people in Paradise Valley choose Invisalign is that it’s discreet. The system allows you to straighten your teeth while maintaining the clean, mature, professional appearance that traditional braces might undermine. So ask yourself: Am I committed to getting straighter teeth? If you are, give us a call at Harris Dental and find out what Invisalign can do for you.

You probably already know that Invisalign is great for cosmetic reasons. Because the aligners used to straighten your teeth are transparent, they are not nearly as noticeable as traditional metal braces. Invisalign allows you to correct the alignment of your teeth discreetly. The aligners are also smooth, making them much gentler on your mouth than traditional braces, which can rub and even cut your lips and tongue. They put less pressure on your teeth, usually causing fewer headaches and sore jaws than fixed appliances do.

Because you can take the aligners out, you don’t have to avoid sticky foods like wearers of traditional braces do, which is nice. However, the aligners must be removed every time you eat, and you should brush your teeth and clean your aligner before replacing it after a meal. This can become inconvenient, especially if you like to eat out. If you aren’t careful, you may even misplace your aligner. And the longer you leave your aligner out, the less chance it has to do its job. Metal brackets and wires continually act on your teeth to correct their alignment; every time you take out your aligner, the correction process stops and can even be reversed. This could cause your treatment to go off schedule, and new aligners may be needed to compensate for the change. If you choose Invisalign, you must be one hundred percent committed to wearing your aligner as often as possible.

If you think Invisalign is right for you, call Harris Dental in Phoenix to schedule a consultation.

Patients in Phoenix who wear traditional metal braces must learn to brush and floss around the brackets and wires used to straighten teeth. This can be quite challenging, sometimes requiring special tools to clean between and around the appliances. If patients are not thorough and consistent with their dental hygiene, cavities can form between teeth, under wires, and close to brackets. Invisalign users, on the other hand, do not need to make significant changes to their dental hygiene routine. The aligners are removable, allowing for regular brushing and flossing.

The use of Invisalign to straighten teeth may actually be helpful in preventing cavities, since patients are encouraged to clean both the aligner and their teeth every time they remove and reinsert the aligner. Invisalign also allows dentists to take regular accurate x-rays, a procedure not available to patients with fixed braces. Metal appliances can interfere with accurate x-ray readings, masking cavities or weak enamel that might have been detected if the braces were not in the way. Removable aligners allow dentists to evaluate x-rays—and take measures to prevent further tooth decay—without interference. Contact Harris Dental in Phoenix to learn more about how Invisalign can benefit you.

The way Invisalign works is simple. Your dentist will start by taking impressions and x-rays of your teeth. These will be used to create a series of clear plastic aligners which are designed to progressively guide your teeth into alignment. You would wear one aligner until your teeth have shifted sufficiently to begin using the next one. The aligners need to be worn for at least 20 hours every day, but should be removed when you eat, drink, and brush your teeth. Make sure you don’t lose your aligner when you take it out, though, because several months of straightening can be undone in a matter of days. Once you have completed the series and are happy with the results of Invisalign, your dentist will probably ask you to wear a retainer while you sleep to ensure that your teeth’s new alignment is permanent. On average, the whole process takes about a year. Contact Harris Dental in Phoenix to find out if Invisalign is right for you!

Even a small change can make a big difference in the appearance of your teeth. You might consider getting a veneer for a chipped tooth or replacing a broken crown. Maybe you want to straighten your teeth with braces or replace amalgam fillings with clear ones that blend with your natural teeth. Tooth whitening is quick and easy and benefits even the most attractive smiles.

Perhaps aesthetic dentistry is not your first priority. Maybe you have a more pressing dental need such as a cavity that is bothering you or swollen gums. Don’t let these problems get worse and possibly more expensive to treat.

Call 602-955-8600 to book a consultation at Harris Dental in Phoenix. We are located at 4444 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, Arizona.

Drs. Joseph, Brian, Scott & Eric Harris are some of the most sought-after Arizona dentists and they stay at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry techniques and technology. A radiant smile is possible for anyone in the Phoenix area, regardless of issues such as tetracycline stains, periodontal disease, or missing teeth.

If you are planning to use flex account funds for dentistry, make sure you check your employer’s guidelines for eligible cosmetic or restorative dental procedures.

With a smile makeover at Harris Dental, what will your ‘after’ photo look like?

Some Phoenix dental problems are more extensive and require a combination of procedures. Crown restoration combined with soft tissue grafts can restore a severely decayed tooth with the root exposed. A bone graft and dental implant can restore a missing tooth in an area where the jaw bone has receded. Orthodontia followed by tooth bleaching totally transforms a smile by straightening and whitening.

What is the difference between tooth bleaching and whitening? Whitening is the term for procedures which remove surface stains to restore the degree of natural lightness. Bleaching goes even further by lightening teeth beyond their natural shade. That’s right: you don’t have to resign yourself to yellow teeth even if they have been that way your whole life! The natural shade of your teeth, by the way, like your skin and hair color, is determined by genetics.

Some Phoenix smiles have been gleaming for years by regular whitening. You can maintain the whiteness of your teeth just as you maintain your fitness level. (Of course it is a lot easier to make a quick visit to your Phoenix dentist once a year for whitening touch-ups than sweating in a gym several times a week!)

We live in an age where severe dental problems can be permanently corrected. You don’t have to participate in a TV makeover show in Hollywood to access these premium cosmetic dental procedures. They are available right here in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale. Drs. Joseph, Brian, Eric & Scott Harris has the same advanced training and extensive experience as the dentists who keep the smiles of famous actors and musicians camera-ready.

Schedule a consultation at Harris Dental to discover the perfect combination of procedures to achieve your ultimate smile.  Our phone number is 602-955-8600.

As you read this, does your heart start to race? Are your palms sweaty?

If so, you may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Oral sedation benefits nervous dental patients in Phoenix every day. Moderate sedation is used for all types of dental procedures such as root canals, dental implants, and wisdom teeth removal. If you are considering extensive restorative or cosmetic dental work, conscious sedation may allow your dentist to complete multiple procedures in a single visit.

Don’t let fear prevent you from getting the dental treatment you need. Schedule a visit with Harris Dental to learn about conscious sedation dentistry.

Dr. Joseph, Brian, Scott & Eric Harris DDS

Harris Dental
http://www.HarrisDental.com
We Absolutely Love What We Do and You’ll Feel It Every Time You Visit!

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad term that specifies dentistry with an emphasis on aesthetics. Cosmetic dentists perform general dental procedures in addition to providing advanced cosmetic dental treatments. Phoenix cosmetic dentists have specialized training in the latest cosmetic dental procedures and techniques.

Harris Dental cosmetic dentists in Phoenix and Queen Creek are knowledgeable about the processes used to fabricate crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, braces and dental implants. Advances in ceramic and composite materials have boosted the popularity of cosmetic dentistry but these miracle materials are worthless without a skilled cosmetic dentist to incorporate them into a healthy and beautiful smile.

When designing a dental treatment plan for a patient, the client’s goals and expectations are discussed. The most skillful cosmetic dentists consider the shape, alignment, color and condition of the teeth. The Arizona cosmetic dental client’s age, health condition and lifestyle also influence the plan.

If you want to learn about the possibilities for your smile, call Harris Dental at 602-955-8600. We have created memorable smiles for many of your friends and neighbors in the Phoenix and Queen Creek area.

• dental implants
• dental crowns
• porcelain veneers
• http://www.HarrisDental.com

Numerous ads for whitening products in our local Phoenix media contain terms such as ‘white brite’, ‘22 carbamide peroxide’ and ‘peroxide teeth’. They look tempting, but how do you separate tooth bleaching fact from fiction?

First, and especially for our local  patients, we recommend talking to Drs. Joseph, Brian, Eric and Scott Harris DDS at Harris Dental at either our Phoenix  or Queen Creek office. Just because teeth whitening products are readily available, it doesn’t mean they are all safe or appropriate for every person. Getting a professional opinion is a good first step.

Don’t be fooled by smile whitening hype and risk damage, especially if you need tetracycline teeth whitening. If you have existing cosmetic dental work such as crowns, bonding, partial dentures or bridge work, it is especially important to talk to a dental professional about worry free dentistry teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening kits are not the only way to quickly improve your smile. Many of your neighbors have benefited from porcelain veneers. There are several brands of veneers such as Lumineers by Cerinate, da Vinci and Mac. We can help you decide on which is best for you.

Veneers are sometimes called ‘instant orthodontics’ because they can correct tooth misalignment and gaps as well as provide instant teeth whitening.

Porcelain veneers can also fix chipped teeth and cover stains. The vast majority of Phoenix veneer recipients are extremely pleased with the results.

• Drs. Joseph, Brian, Eric & Scott Harris DDS
• Harris Dental
• 4444 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018
• 20261 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85242 
• 602-955-8600
• http://www.harrisdental.com/index.cfm

Providing comprehensive dental care for Paradise Valley families since 1979.