Everything You Should Know About Braces

The Importance of
Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic Treatment-img-1
You only get one set of permanent teeth to last you for the rest of your life. When your permanent teeth are not in the proper position, it can negatively affect your dental health and your overall health.

When your teeth don’t line up properly or if they are crowded together, at the very least it can make it difficult to keep your teeth clean and allow plaque to build up in the spaces between the teeth that are pushed together. Teeth that are turned the wrong way or pushed up against other teeth can cause damage to the teeth and roots. It can cause your teeth to wear down prematurely and lead to jaw problems like TMJ disorder.

Early Orthodontic Treatment

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child see an orthodontist by age 7.
In some cases, an orthodontic concern may require an earlier orthodontic consultation. Around age 7, the first adult molars typically erupt, helping to define a patient’s back bite and allowing the orthodontist to more effectively evaluate the bite. Treatment at this age may not be necessary, but orthodontic monitoring can help anticipate the ideal timeline for the most effective treatment and help to prevent more serious problems in the future.
Some results of effective early treatment:

  • Reducing the need for tooth removal
  • Creating space for crowded and/or erupting teeth
  • Correcting cross-bites which impact the growth of our jaws and joints
  • Reducing the risk of injury to protruding front teeth
  • Preserving needed space for permanent teeth
  • Reducing future orthodontic treatment time

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most common orthodontic treatment. Braces can correct most orthodontic issues from crowding and gaps to misaligned teeth and bite. Metal braces have been used for a long time, but advancements in technology have made them smaller and more effective while using lighter, gentle forces. They can correct a wider range of orthodontic issues than any other teeth straightening system.
Benefits of Metal Braces
There are many benefits to traditional metal braces:

  • Low cost. Metal braces are the least expensive teeth straightening system in orthodontics. In most cases metal braces cost less than Invisalign, clear brackets, and lingual braces.
  • Effective. Braces are highly effective at correcting misaligned teeth and bite patterns. Most orthodontic conditions can be corrected with braces alone.
  • Semi-permanent. Since braces are firmly attached to your teeth and can only be removed by your orthodontist, you don’t have to worry about losing them or forgetting to wear them. Your braces are constantly acting on your teeth.
  • Durable. Metal braces are more durable than clear braces. The clear brackets are made of ceramic that is not as strong as metal. Clear brackets are more likely to be damaged and you’d have to be even more careful about what you eat.
clear-img

Clear/Ceramic Braces

Clear braces are an attractive option for teens and adults. Functioning like traditional metal braces, but with the subtlety of clear plastic aligners, clear braces are effective in treating even complex orthodontic conditions including crossbites, overbites, and underbites.

Benefits of Clear Braces

Clear braces are made of incredibly durable ceramic material. The ceramic used to make the brackets can also be color-matched to your teeth so that they are nearly invisible. Clear braces also offer near transparency in the archwire. The wire can be custom designed to match your teeth so that it blends in seamlessly.

The discretion afforded by clear braces is one of the main reasons that adults often prefer them over metal braces. Like metal braces, clear braces are suitable for teenagers and adults and may help both to feel less self-conscious about smiling. Clear braces may also shorten your

How Invisalign Works in 3 Basic Steps

  1. Evaluation. Our orthodontists Dr. Nick Freda and will evaluate the position of your teeth and your bite pattern to determine what corrections are needed and whether or not you are a candidate for Invisalign. Images and scans will be made of your teeth that are used to plan your treatment.
  2. Treatment plan. Dr. Nick uses advanced computer software that takes the images of your teeth to create a customized treatment plan to align your teeth and bite. The orthodontist can show you a virtual simulation of how your teeth will move from start to finish. Once the treatment plan is approved by you and your orthodontist, your complete set of aligners will be created and shipped to your orthodontist’s office.
  3. Wear your aligners. When your aligners arrive you will return to your orthodontist for a fitting of your first aligner. You will receive the rest of your aligners with instructions on how to wear them. Most patients will wear each aligner for 1-2 weeks before switching to the next one in order. Once you have moved through all of your aligners, your treatment will be complete.

Key Benefits of Invisalign

  • Invisible. The clear aligners are virtually invisible on your teeth. No one has to know that you are straightening your teeth.
  • Comfortable. The smooth, flexible plastic won’t irritate your cheeks, lips, or tongue. Invisalign moves your teeth gradually with virtually no discomfort.
  • Convenient. The aligners are removable, allowing you to take them out to eat and brush your teeth.
  • Fast. The average patient will complete their treatment in 6-18 months.

Phase I Treatment

Often, preparation of the teeth is necessary before braces can be considered. Phase I treatment usually takes place between the ages of 7-11 and can involve appliances that create space in the mouth and correct bite problems while growth is still occurring. This stage is generally completed early, while patients still have mixed dentition (baby teeth and adult teeth).

Phase II / Adolescent Treatment

Phase II typically occurs during adolescence because around ages 11-13 is when most patients have lost all their deciduous (baby) teeth and their permanent teeth have, for the most part, come in. Because rapid growth occurs during adolescence, it is easier to treat orthodontic problems in a timely fashion.

Adult Treatment

Adult orthodontic treatment differs from adolescent treatment in primarily two ways. First, the jaws are done growing and developing, so changes in jaw structure cannot be made the same way as in a growing child. Secondly, periodontal (gum) disease, which is more prevalent in adults than in children and teens, must be addressed and care taken to prevent the development or progression of gum disease.

Retention

Once treatment is complete, a retainer is worn full time for a short period and then usually just at night. The retainer helps maintain the new smile and allows for small adjustments, if needed, once the braces have been removed. Our doctors will go over the options with you and provide specific instructions on the use of your retainers.