ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Braces

Orthodontic treatments like braces help move teeth that are crooked or that do not fit together right. By fixing these problems, orthodontics can also help keep your mouth healthy. Crooked teeth can be harder to clean, putting you at risk for cavities and gum disease.

Using x-rays and other tools, your dental professional will decide if orthodontic treatment is right for you. The process of orthodontic treatment takes between 18 and 30 months. Once corrected, you will have a beautiful set of teeth that can give you that perfect smile.  The best time to correct misalignment of your teeth is after age twelve, although it is still possible at a much later age.  Consult your dentist if you are contemplating to wear braces to improve your look and perfect your smile.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are more esthetic than metal braces as they mimic the color of your natural teeth.

Metal Braces

This is the type of braces that most people imagine when they hear the word "braces." However, modern metal braces are smaller and less noticeable than the famous "metal-mouth" bracket that many adults remember. Plus, new advancements of heat-activated arch wires use your body heat to help teeth move with less pain and faster.

Retainer

After removing braces, a retainer is needed to hold the final teeth position in place. There are 2 types of retainer which are removable (Hawley's and Essix) and fixed. The dentist will discuss with you the best type of retainer to be used.

Clear Aligners

Clear Aligners are an alternative to traditional braces and are designed to help guide teeth into their proper position. Similar to braces, clear aligners use a gradual force to control tooth movement, but without metal wires or brackets. The aligners are made of a strong plastic material and are fabricated to fit each person's mouth. If a series of aligners are made, each aligner moves the teeth a little bit more into place until the desired movement is completed.

Aligners are worn for at least 20 hours a day to reach the desired maximum effectiveness. Each aligner is worn for two to three weeks before changing to the next one. The length of treatment with aligners depends upon the severity of each case. Typically, aligner treatment can be as short as three weeks or as long as 24 months. Still, this is a much shorter treatment time than traditional braces.

Night Guard

A removable tray made of a clear, medical grade acrylic. This is custom fit to either your upper or lower teeth and worn at night to protect the teeth from grinding in your sleep. Teeth grinding can be caused not only by stress and anxiety but by sleep disorders, an abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked.