Invisalign
Invisalign® is a modern alternative to straighten your teeth without wires or metal. Invisalign® involves a series of custom trays designed specifically for you and the plan your dentist or orthodontist creates to move your teeth. The trays are made from a smooth plastic that covers your teeth and gradually moves them into place.
Traditional Braces
Even though there are many types of braces, traditional braces are still the most popular option. Great strides in technology have been made since they were first used, so they are becoming more comfortable and effective.
Traditional braces use stainless steel brackets and archwires to move your teeth into their proper position. Many teenagers like to decorate their braces with different colored rubber bands to give them a colorful and unique smile. You can choose a new color (or colors) during every adjustment!
Clear Braces
Most teens and adults are reluctant to get the orthodontic care they need due to the appearance of orthodontic appliances. That’s why we offer clear braces, which are much less noticeable than metal braces, but still give patients a smile they deserve.
Clear aligners are not the same as clear braces. Clear aligners are plastic trays that you wear over your teeth, like a shell. Clear braces are just like metal braces, but they are almost invisible. Clear braces have many advantages. They are almost invisible, giving patients who do not want the look of traditional braces another alternative.
Despite all of the advantages, there are some disadvantages to consider, too. They are typically more costly than traditional metal braces, though we offer payment plans for all patients. They can also become discolored by tea, coffee, wine, and other foods. Smoking can also cause discoloration.
Invisalign for Teens
Many teenagers are affected by malocclusions that need to be corrected. However, the thought of going through high school with braces may be your teen’s worst nightmare. Luckily, Invisalign Teen® can be very helpful. Your teenager can get the smile that he or she deserves without bulky wires and brackets.
Invisalign Teen® uses clear aligners, so nobody will even know they are wearing them. As long as your teenager wears them for at least twenty-two hours a day, they will get proper treatment without the embarrassment of wires and braces. Even better, your teenager will be able to remove the aligners when it is time to eat, allowing them unlimited food choices. There are no restrictions that usually come with braces, like avoiding corn on the cob. Once they are finished eating, however, it is essential to brush their teeth AND the aligners to ensure fresh breath and a healthy mouth.
Retention
After you have worn your braces for the appropriate amount of time, we move into the retention stage of your treatment. It is VERY important not to skip this step, or all of your hard work will not pay off as you had hoped. Your teeth may shift around or move back to where they were instead of staying in place.
During retention, you will have to wear retainers as your teeth adjust to staying in their new place without braces. You should wear your retainers as recommended by your dentist. Some should be worn only at night, while others need to be worn almost all of the time.
Brushing your teeth is easier in this phase, since the retainers are removable. All you have to do is remove your retainer, and then you will be able to brush your teeth better than you were able to when you had braces. You should also brush your retainer thoroughly before placing it back to your mouth.
Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is used for severe cases of bad bites, jaw bone abnormalities, and malocclusions. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is considered a dental specialty and helps complex cases involving the mouth, jaw, face, and skull. If your case requires surgical orthodontics, your orthodontist will work with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to provide you with the best and most comprehensive care possible.
Surgical orthodontics helps patients improve their bites, though it can also help with other aesthetic concerns, such as facial structure and symmetry. Surgery can only be completed after the jaw is finished growing. This typically happens by age sixteen for females and age eighteen for males.
Early Treatment
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. The results are often better than if we wait and will require significantly less work. We may not need to keep braces on your child for as long when they are younger, which means less expense for you.
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices that there might be a problem, or before they are seven years old. We may not have to do anything at this age, other than monitor the child’s mouth. However, if we continue to watch your child, we can start treatment right away if something arises.
Early intervention can be beneficial. We will watch how your child’s mouth and teeth grow and develop, so if we see something that needs to be done, we can do it as soon as possible. We will also know exactly when to start treatment, if needed.