Having nice teeth is an asset not to be underestimated. Your teeth are what allow you to eat and speak. But having good teeth and a nice smile are also your calling card and part of your social appeal from childhood to adulthood. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with or maintains a perfect set of teeth. And some of us have naturally misaligned or unevenly spaced teeth or worse. This can keep you from smiling and really affect how you interact with others. There is good news for those of us with this problem. You don’t have to live like this anymore. Our dental practice has an experienced team of dentists and staff who will transform those teeth into a terrific smile with the assistance of braces or Invisalign. And our dental procedures and services are affordable and straightforward.
When and Why are Braces Required?
Braces are a common but powerful way to fix crooked teeth and correct conditions such as underbites, crossbites, overbites and large gaps between the teeth. Younger children with more severe cases of bite issues such as those can also be helped, sometimes with the help of headgear, which our orthodontist may prescribe to help modify the growth pattern of their faces and jaws.
How Clear Braces Work?
Braces are made from either metal or a translucent ceramic and feature a backbone called an “arch wire” which runs along the teeth. This strong steel wire exerts pressure on the teeth in the desired direction, using brackets on each tooth. The brackets are attached to the tooth with orthodontic bands, or even by directly bonding to them. Spacers are then used to create space between the teeth to accommodate the orthodontic bands. As an alternative to the metallic look of the wire, we can even use frosted or colored wires. Here are different types of braces;
- Invisalign Clear Braces – We offer Invisalign clear aligners for our patients who don’t want to wear braces on their teeth at all. They are sets of custom clear plastic aligners made for the upper and lower jaws. They exert force on your teeth while you wear them and are removable. They are worn for two weeks and then replaced with a new set about every two weeks thereafter until your teeth are completely straightened. The final set of aligners will be your retainer for a few months to prevent the teeth from returning to their previous positions.
- Ceramic Invisible Braces – Braces made out of ceramic are a popular choice now. They are tooth-colored brackets, tooth-colored bands and an arch wire. The brackets can often be matched to your natural teeth. Adolescent and teenaged patients can also have colored bands. The metallic archwire used with invisible braces is coated with a tooth colored material which makes them less noticeable.
- Advantages of Ceramic Braces – Appealing aesthetics.
- Disadvantages of Ceramic Braces – Tooth movement is less effective than traditional metallic braces. They also tend to be more expensive compared to traditional braces and can stain if not cared for properly.
- Lingual Braces – We offer lingual braces which are attached to the inner surfaces of your teeth so they are almost invisible. The design is similar to traditional and clear braces in that the archwire passes through a slot on the brace. The archwire is frequently adjusted to ensure proper teeth alignment.
- Advantages – They’re virtually invisible
- Disadvantage – They are somewhat more difficult to clean because of their position. The brackets and archwire can also Due to their lingual position, they can be difficult to clean. The brackets and the archwire can be intrusive to tongue movement and sometimes makes chewing and speaking more difficult and could potentially injure your tongue and soft tissues. Also the adjustments take longer with lingual braces.
Aligners for the Adolescent Patients
When clear aligners first appeared they were not given to adolescents. The aligners would prevent the eruption of new teeth in the permanent dentition, or wisdom teeth. But, because of the demand for aligners for kids, they have been designed with breakable tabs where teeth are anticipated to erupt.
- Advantages of Invisalign – They are clear and nearly invisible. They are removable so eating and cleaning are not difficult.
- Disadvantages of Invisalign Aligners – They are not as effective as traditional braces and can’t be used for more complex problems like overbites, cross bites and such. They also tend to be one of the costliest orthodontic treatment options.
Traditional Metal Braces
Metallic braces have been around a long time and were among the first devices introduced for treating orthodontic problems. They are made from stainless steel alloys and are attached with special cements. They have slots that allow the archwire to pass through. The archwire is attached to the brackets with rubber elastics called ties.
- Advantages of Metal Braces – they provide reliable and superior control for the orthodontist for aligning teeth and can be used in even extreme cases where other orthodontic options are not available.
- Disadvantages of Metal Braces – an obvious drawback is their appearance. They also have a higher chance of injury to the soft tissues in an accident.
Duration of Treatment
The time it takes to treat the problem depends on how severe it is and how old the patient is. Generally, braces are worn for two to three years. Patients can expect several visits to adjust the tension in the archwire, which reduces as the teeth align. They might feel slight discomfort or pain immediately after getting their braces but it normally goes away during the first week of orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic Retainers
For children, it is strongly recommended to use a retainer for at least six months after the braces are removed. A retainer is an invisible plastic shell worn over the teeth to prevent them from reverting to their previous position.
Limitations
Some of the drawbacks of braces are how long they must be worn, limitations in what can be eaten, and the several visits to adjust the archwire.
Caring for Longevity
While a patient is undergoing orthodontic treatment, the following things should be done:
- Looking after your Oral Hygiene – Food can get stuck in the braces, which if not cleaned properly can lead to cavities and gum disease. Orthodontists recommend using an interdental toothbrush which allows you to reach difficult to clean areas around the braces to remove food, plaque and calculus deposits.
- Taking Care of your Diet – You will want to stay away from sticky or hard food while you have braces. They can dislodge the braces.
- Using a Mouthguard – wearing a mouthguard for teens or children who are involved in physical contact sports is essential. It can prevent excessive injury of the soft tissues in the mouth should they be hit.
- Keep Follow-up Appointments – Keeping regular appointments and getting your bi-annual cleaning with our hygienist are crucial for your orthodontic treatment. You could have a delay if not.
Orthodontics in Orange County
Here at Creative Smiles we pride ourselves in giving our patients a smile they are proud of. We understand that your teeth and their alignment plays a large role in your life – not only the way you eat or speak but even your self confidence.
If you or your child or family members need orthodontic care in OC, make an appointment with us at our dental office in Fullerton, CA. We will help you find the best treatment for your specific case. Our office is inviting and a relaxing, stress free environment. Our team of dental care specialists, from our dentists and orthodontist to our front office staff, are knowledgeable and will ensure every question or concern are addressed. We serve our community of Orange County, minutes from Buena Park, and offer affordable orthodontics and dental care.