Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
Clear aligners straighten teeth gradually with removable trays. Wilsonville patients can find out at our Port Dover office if they suit their bite and routine.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Wilsonville patients at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for WilsonvilleGradual straightening, removable trays
Clear aligners are a series of thin, removable trays that move teeth in small steps. They can address some types of crowding, spacing and bite concerns, but they are not suitable for every situation. Success also depends heavily on wearing the trays for most of the day, which makes your lifestyle an important part of the decision.
If you live in Wilsonville and are curious whether aligners could work for you, start with an assessment at our Port Dover office. The dentist will look at your teeth, gums and bite, explain what aligners can realistically achieve and discuss how check-in appointments would fit into your schedule.

Is it suitable?
Mild to moderate crowding, gaps between teeth and certain bite issues are often considered for aligner therapy. More complex cases involving significant jaw discrepancies or tooth rotations may need another approach or a referral to an orthodontist. Your dentist will explain which category your teeth seem to fall into and why.
Teeth and gums need to be healthy before moving them. Active decay or gum disease is generally treated first. X-rays and a thorough exam help confirm that roots and supporting bone can handle movement. Mention any previous orthodontic treatment, since teeth that have shifted back after braces may behave differently.
Planning
Records such as digital scans, photographs and X-rays are used to map out the proposed movements. You may see a simulation of how teeth are expected to shift. Treat it as a planning tool rather than a guarantee, since individual responses vary and adjustments are sometimes needed partway through.
Ask how long treatment is expected to take, how often trays are changed and how many check-ins are needed. Small tooth-coloured attachments are sometimes bonded to teeth to help aligners grip. Understanding these details upfront helps you decide whether the commitment suits your work, school and family life.
Wearing aligners
Aligners usually need to be worn for most of the day and night, coming out only to eat, drink anything other than water and clean your teeth. Leaving them out for long stretches can slow progress or cause trays to stop fitting. Many people find setting reminders helpful in the first few weeks.
Brush your teeth before putting trays back in so food and sugar are not trapped against enamel. Rinse and gently clean the aligners as instructed, using cool water to avoid warping. Expect some pressure when starting a new tray, which typically eases within a few days. Report sharp edges or persistent soreness.
Keeping results
Teeth tend to drift after they have been moved, especially in the first months. A retainer, either removable or bonded behind the teeth, helps hold the new position. Your dentist will explain how often to wear it and for how long. Many people need some form of retention indefinitely to maintain results.
Bring your retainer to checkups so its fit can be reviewed. If it starts to feel tight or no longer fits, contact the office promptly, as this may mean teeth have shifted. Replacing a lost or damaged retainer quickly is usually simpler than correcting movement that has already happened.
Planning your appointment
Book a consultation at our Port Dover office to learn whether clear aligners suit your teeth. Ask how many visits may be involved so you can plan trips around work, school and other commitments.
Bring any previous orthodontic records or retainers, and a list of the changes you hope to see in your smile.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Neither is better in every case. Aligners are removable and less visible, but they rely on consistent wear. Braces may be more predictable for certain complex movements. Your dentist can compare options for your specific teeth.
Most people feel pressure or mild soreness for a day or two after switching trays. This is usually manageable. If you feel sharp pain, notice cuts from tray edges or have lasting discomfort, contact the office.
Generally no. Remove trays to eat and drink anything except plain water, then brush before putting them back. Eating with trays in can damage them and trap food against your teeth.
Treatment length depends on how much movement is needed and how consistently trays are worn. Your dentist will give an estimate during planning and explain why the timeline sometimes changes partway through treatment.
Teeth can shift after treatment, which is why retainers are important. Following your retainer instructions closely is the best way to keep the results you worked to achieve.
Unsure whether whitening, bonding or veneers fit your goals? Wilsonville patients can talk through cosmetic options and trade-offs at our Port Dover office.
A smile makeover combines treatments into one considered plan. Wilsonville patients can review goals, sequence and upkeep with our Port Dover dental team first.
Recognized year after year
Best Dentists in Norfolk
Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

2021 Winner

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner

2026 Winner
Stories from our patients
Watch a patient’s experience and browse more five-star reviews from people who have visited our Port Dover dental clinic.
Patient video
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
Google reviews
Swipe or use the arrows
Read all reviewsYour next visit can start today
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday