Why braces

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you'll feel more self-confident. During your treatment, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.

Duration of Treatment

Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and face and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from the original estimate. The patient's diligent use of any prescribed rubber bands or headgear is an important factor in achieving the most efficient treatment. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as few as six months.

For Children

We recommend that all children by the age of 7 be seen by an orthodontist. This is not necessarily to start treatment but to evaluate the need for intervention by looking at jaw growth or the lack of room for permanent teeth. An orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal. Please don't wait until all the baby teeth are lost. There are great advantages to starting treatment early.

Orthodontic treatment can be initiated on certain types of tooth problems before all the permanent teeth have erupted. Treatment usually begins after the four upper front teeth have erupted (ages 7-9). Early treatment can be indicated when the front teeth protrude so much that the lips cannot be closed without straining or when the front teeth are so crowded or poorly arranged that normal development cannot take place.

For Adult

Braces aren't just for kids anymore. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structures are healthy, which we evaluate on every adult patient. We offer a variety of treatments that are designed for different age groups-including adults. Your new smile can begin today.

Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel and surfaces, headaches and jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain.

The new techniques and appliances we use greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, shorten treatment time and may allow you to choose from several different types of braces. Your choices may include metal braces, self-ligating braces, translucent braces, or transparent aligners that can be worn to improve mild cases of misaligned teeth.

We value our adult patients, and they agree that it's never too late to improve their smile!

The New Orthodontic Systems

	1.The Damon system The Damon System is not just a new product, it's a whole new way of treating patients. Conventional treatment often requires removal of healthy teeth and/or the use of palatal expanders to make space. This approach is often uncomfortable, takes longer, and can leave a narrower arch and a flat profile. Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces, and are specifically designed to improve the overall facial result of each patient.
	2.Clear braces for aesthetics.If you want straighter teeth but are concerned about how you’ll look with braces, consider this – many cosmetically minded celebrities are wearing aesthetic braces to improve their smiles quickly without compromising their signature look. Now you can too! We’re proud to offer the highest quality aesthetic braces on their patented sapphire material makes the only crystal-clear braces available. They’re not only discreet, they’re virtually invisible.
	3.Lingual Braces Lingual braces are a great option for those who want straight teeth and a beautiful smile without showing any braces. Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth so no one can see them, and yes we can use lingual braces with the Six Month Braces Technique, so you can have the smile you always wanted both quickly and without anyone knowing you are wearing braces.

Retainers

• Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.

• Take your retainers out when eating… and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)

• Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.

• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!

• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.

• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.

• Always bring your retainers to your appointments.

• Retainer replacement is expensive… with proper care they will last for years!

• Remove retainers when swimming.

• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

Brushing

It is important to brush well when you have braces. If plaque remains on the teeth for any length of time, it will leave a permanent white scar on your teeth's surface. However, you will notice that it is much harder to keep your teeth clean with braces. Food collects in the brackets and between your teeth, and can only be removed by brushing and flossing. Brushing after meals should become part of your daily schedule. Use a soft toothbrush with firm pressure and brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth. Brush in small circles above and below the brackets. Your toothbrush will wear out faster because of your braces, so be sure to replace it whenever the bristles start to fray. With regards to adults with braces, flossing is important and should be done every day.

Flossing is critical for cleaning between the teeth and should be done every day. Many flossing aids are designed to help you floss with braces. We will review hygiene with you at your regular visits and give you tips for taking care of your teeth while in orthodontic treatment.

Finally, every patient with cemented appliances should be using a daily prescription fluoride rinse. For your convenience, this rinse is available for purchase in our office in a variety of flavors.

Eating Habits

Please do not eat hard foods. Especially avoid:

• nuts

• ice

• crisp taco shells

• whole apples and carrots (cut them into pieces first)

• hard French bread crust and rolls

• spareribs

• corn on the cob (cut the corn off the cob before eating)

• popcorn

These foods risk breaking brackets and wires. Also avoid nail biting and pen or pencil chewing habits, since these can damage your braces. Do not eat sticky foods: taffy, caramels, bubble gum, or sticky candy of any sort.