Alternative to Traditional Braces

Alternative to Traditional Braces

Many folks put off receiving necessary orthodontic treatment because they fear wearing conspicuous metal and wire braces. For those who desire a straighter smile, Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional orthodontia. Invisalign consists of wearing retainer-like oral appliances that are made from clear plastic. Over time, wearing Invisalign will correct spacing problems and improve a patient’s occlusion. Sometimes called “clear braces”, Invisalign is practically undetectable to those around you.

How ClearCorrect Work

How ClearCorrect Work

During your initial consultation, dentist will examine your teeth and jaw to ensure the ClearCorrect™ method is right for you. The next step is to take 3-D images and impressions of your teeth to create a customized plan to gently straighten your teeth over a determined period of time. For most patients, a year or so is required before crooked teeth are straight.

Special aligner trays are then placed over your teeth and are changed with a new pair roughly every two weeks as your teeth shift into proper place. One of the unique benefits of wearing clear braces instead of the metal version is that you can take them off during meals and for cleaning. Otherwise, they stay on throughout the day and night. Periodic visits with the dentists are also necessary to monitor your progress and make any adjustments, if the need arises.

Traditional Braces

Traditional Braces

Traditional, metal braces are the type of orthodontic treatment that virtually everyone’s familiar with. Our team typically recommends this option for patients who are in need of moderate to significant tooth movement, or who need correction for more serious bite and jaw concerns. Traditional braces may even be able to improve your health and self-confidence by making it easier to clean teeth effectively, eat easily, and speak properly.

Our younger patients undergoing tooth transition  often benefit from traditional braces. Traditional braces have fixed brackets cemented over the surfaces of teeth where ligatures and other fixed appliances such as palate expanders are anchored. Using consistent pressure, traditional orthodontia will shift teeth to straighter, upright positions over the course of treatment. If necessary, our dentist will work with an experienced oral surgeon when surgically assisted orthodontic treatment is required.

Beyond their traditional color, the only thing traditional about these braces is that you can see them. Contemporary braces are made of super strong metal alloys derived from the space program. Their strength allows them to be the smallest of all braces and therefore the most comfortable. Their density makes them ultra slippery so teeth move faster than they ever have before. Today's braces, in combination with other high tech materials mean fewer office visits to complete treatment.

The braces themselves will consist of metal brackets and an arch wire that connects them. Periodic tightening appointments at one of our offices are required so that we can increase the pressure on your teeth and move them at an appropriate speed. Most cases of traditional braces will also involve the use of rubber bands at some point, which come in a variety of colors that younger patients will enjoy.

Dentofacial Orthopedics

Dentofacial Orthopedics

Dentofacial orthopedics describes the element of orthodontic treatment that guides facial development and growth, a process which primarily occurs during childhood. Through the use of specialized appliances such as expanders and headgear, we can treat facial abnormalities and other developmental conditions. Dentofacial orthopedic treatment may be performed prior to the placement of conventional braces, but may also be used in conjunction with braces.

Our clinical team is skilled in diagnosing the misalignments of the teeth, jaw and facial structure in children and adults in order to provide integrated orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic care.

Occlusal Adjustment

Occlusal Adjustment

An Occlusal Adjustment is an adjustment of the teeth that will fix a bite misalignment, thus allowing the jaw to open and shut evenly.  Occlusal Adjustments are often required when the bit feels uneven, this can cause too much pressure to be put on one side of the mouth.  The adjustment will involve correcting for loose, shifting, crowded or missing teeth.  Once this has been done, the teeth will meet properly and the bite will be even and comfortable.

Caring For Your Braces

Caring For Your Braces

During the first few days after your braces are placed, eating soft foods will help minimize any discomfort or tenderness you may feel. Lowering your sugar intake will improve your overall oral health and reduce plaque buildup under your wires. To protect your braces, avoid eating:

• Chewy or sticky foods like licorice, taffy, or gum
• Crunchy foods like popcorn, ice, or chips
• Hard foods like nuts, hard candy, crusts
• Corn on the cob
• Raw apples or carrots

Advantages of Interceptive Treatment

Advantages of Interceptive Treatment

Some of the most direct results of Interceptive Treatment are:

Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
Preserving space for unerupted teeth
Reducing the need for tooth removal
Reducing treatment time with braces