Straight teeth used to mean years in metal braces. Today, clear aligner therapy delivers comparable results for most patients — discreetly, comfortably, and often faster. At First Street Smiles in North Andover, Dr. Beshay offers clear aligner treatment as part of a full-service approach to your smile.
Clear aligners are custom-made, removable plastic trays that gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. Each tray in the series moves your teeth a fraction of a millimeter — typically worn for one to two weeks before progressing to the next tray in the sequence.
The process begins with digital scans of your teeth. These scans are used to create a 3D model of your current smile and map out exactly how each tooth needs to move. The full series of trays is then fabricated based on this plan.
Most clear aligner cases take between 6 and 18 months depending on the complexity of the correction needed. Dr. Beshay monitors your progress at regular check-in appointments throughout treatment — typically every 6–8 weeks.
The most important variable in clear aligner success is compliance. Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day to achieve the planned result. Patients who wear them consistently get excellent outcomes; patients who frequently leave them out fall behind schedule.
Both clear aligners and traditional braces move teeth using controlled force — the difference is in the mechanics, the aesthetics, and the patient experience.
Clear aligners are appropriate for a wide range of patients and concerns. Most adults and older teens with fully erupted permanent teeth are candidates. Younger teenagers may be candidates depending on their stage of dental development.
Common conditions clear aligners correct effectively:
Cases that may require traditional braces or additional appliances include severe bite discrepancies, significant rotations, or situations where precise vertical tooth movement is required.
The best way to determine candidacy is a consultation. Dr. Beshay will review your bite, take scans if appropriate, and give you an honest assessment of what aligner therapy can realistically achieve in your case.
Starting clear aligner treatment at our North Andover office follows a straightforward process:
Direct-to-consumer aligner companies market heavily on price and convenience — no dentist visits required. It's worth understanding what that trade-off actually involves.
Orthodontic tooth movement requires proper assessment of your bite, bone structure, and overall dental health before beginning. Moving teeth without a professional evaluation can worsen bite problems, cause root damage, and in some cases lead to tooth loss. These risks are well-documented in the dental literature and have led several states to pursue regulatory action against mail-order aligner companies.
At First Street Smiles, aligner treatment is supervised throughout. Dr. Beshay monitors your bite and bone response at each check-in, which allows treatment adjustments before problems develop. This is what makes professionally supervised orthodontic treatment — even clear aligner treatment — fundamentally different from a mail-order kit.
Clear aligner treatment at First Street Smiles is often comparable in cost to mail-order kits once you factor in refinements, retainers, and the value of in-person monitoring. Your consultation is free — let's talk through the numbers.
Curious whether clear aligners are right for you? Call (978) 685-5804 or book a consultation online — Dr. Beshay will scan your teeth and give you an honest assessment with no obligation. First Street Smiles is at 7 First St, North Andover, MA — Mon–Thu 8am–5pm and Sat 8am–2pm.
