About Braces

Getting braces nowadays can be an exciting experience.  The times where bulky and discomforting metal placed around each tooth are far gone.  Now, you can wear braces without anyone even noticing!  Braces are the best type of orthodontic care which help to eliminate problems such as under bite, spacing, protruding teeth, crowding and cross bite.  Braces are a non surgical resort which over time is vital in the creation of a perfect smile.

Starting Out

Your entire mouth and teeth will feel pretty sore when you first get your braces.  You may struggle with eating your favorite foods so it is recommended to avoid eating certain foods to relieve your mouth and teeth of additional pressure.  Mouthwash and warm salt water help to relieve the soreness in the first few days.  If the pain is constant and interferes with your life, then you can take a common pain reliever like aspirin.  Wax on the braces can also help to lessen the irritation of the mouth, lips and cheeks until the mouth is accustomed to having braces.  Over time, your teeth will loosen up but it is nothing to be alarmed about.  The teeth must become loose in order to move into the right position and will become sturdy again when they are in their new spot.

Braces Hygiene

While at our office, we make sure that you receive the highest level of service and ensure that our dental work is of the highest quality. To ensure that you maintain great oral health, this level of quality needs to extend into your personal oral hygiene routine. We can help you establish a dental hygiene routine that will keep your teeth healthy and white. If you have any questions about your current hygiene plan please ask us.

Your teeth are not the only important part of your mouth. Your gums are essential to oral hygiene as well. We can provide periodontal cleanings and treatment, or refer you to one of our recommended specialists. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Types of Braces

There are many types of orthodontic braces that are used.  In certain cases your orthodontist will recommend specific materials which will work better in your circumstance while in other cases you may have a choice.  If your appearance is important to you and you do not want people to know that you have braces, in many cases you will be able to choose invisible brackets.  Below are the most common types of braces:

Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common form of braces that patients receive.  These braces have been modified over the years to become more attractive and more importantly, more comfortable.  Metal braces are made out of premium grade stainless steel.  Many younger children love these braces because they will have the option of adding colored rubber bands to the braces for an eccentric and beautiful smile. 

Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a great option for people who are worried about how they will be perceived with braces.  They are made out of clear materials and look almost invisible which makes ceramic braces the leader in options for adults and older teenagers.  One drawback is that these braces tend to be a bit larger than the metal braces making it not the best option for the lower teeth.  If you only need the front teeth straightened, these are a great option or you can combine ceramic braces on the top teeth with metal braces on the lower teeth.

Invisalign aligners
That’s right, they are invisible.  This type of braces consists of teeth straightening aligners which are comfortable and removable.  While you are eating and drinking you can take them out to avoid having food caught in them, making your dental hygiene process much easier.  Another perk for invisible braces like Invisalign is that there is no metal, so your mouth will be free from abrasions.

Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are a unique invisible type of braces which customized for your teeth. They are metal but they are placed behind your teeth so that no one will notice.  Lingual braces are designed for actors, musicians (who play wind instruments), athletes, models and other adult professionals.

How Braces Work

Braces create the perfect smile by placing a constant and gentle force on the teeth which help them to slowly yet efficiently move into the correct position.  When teeth are in the right position, the person will experience better dental and overall health benefits.  There are different types of braces which one can use such as silver braces, clear braces, clear aligners and retainers.
Orthodontic treatment and braces create stunning and confident smiles.

Are you smiling?

Braces and Sports 

Your braces will not get you out of gym class but you should be more careful with your mouth, especially if you are athletic.  A protective mouth guard is recommended for playing any sport, even soccer, to prevent your braces, mouth and teeth from damage.  If you are injured, check to see the damage done to your mouth and to the braces.  You should call for an appointment if your teeth are loosened or knocked out and if the braces have been damaged.

Braces For All Ages

As long as your teeth are healthy, then you are a great candidate to have braces.  A straight smile is important at any age.  However, orthodontists recommend that children visit their offices at the age of 7 in order to diagnose any problems and to start with preventative care.  Catching problems early on will help to avoid problems later on in life.  If you were unable to see an orthodontist at a young age, you can still see one later in life to help correct your smile.  With the different varieties of braces, friends and coworkers will have no idea that your lunch date is really your orthodontist appointment.

The Power Of Braces​

Orthodontics has changed drastically in the past few years due to improved technology.  Nowadays, you can wear braces without anyone knowing, except your orthodontist and you, of course!  We provide orthodontic treatments with high quality materials for braces such as metal, ceramic and plastic, all guaranteed to give you great results.  Some of our appliances are bonded to the teeth while others are actually removable.  Braces help to gently create a constant force which leads your teeth into the right position.  You can feel comfortable with the fact that with the latest technology, your teeth will be able to move into position faster without a lot of discomfort. 

When To Get Treatment

Most orthodontists recommend that treatment begins at an early stage as it is easier to correct the problems and children’s mouths are more responsive to treatment which means that they will not have to wear braces for as long as adults.  Nonetheless, this does not mean that adults are too old for braces.  It is quite the contrary.  Orthodontic treatment can be performed on adults of almost any age as long as the gums and teeth are in healthy condition.

What Can You Eat With Braces

When your braces are placed onto your teeth, you will experience some moderate soreness and eating tough foods such as meats and raw vegetables will cause you some pain.  For the first week, you should only eat foods which do not require you to strain your teeth too hard.  Over time, this sensitivity will disappear and you will be able to eat just about anything.  Just remember that you are eating with your braces so certain foods can actually damage and get caught in them.  Try to avoid eating the following foods to eliminate damage to your orthodontic appliances:

•    Bagels and hard rolls
•    Popcorn
•    Gum and Candy
•    Ice
•    Apples
•    Corn on the cob

And remember, biting your fingernails or chewing on pen caps can also damage your braces.