Why Braces
For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. But having the teeth and jaw joints function in harmony, with longevity and long-term stability are just as important. 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 are made of precious metals, ceramics, and plastics. 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. Braces are smaller and more streamlined. You can choose brackets that are clear or 24 K gold plated. Wires snap into 3M SmartClip® Self-ligating brackets or you can choose colored ties to hold the wire in the brackets. We use body heat activated titanium wires, so the forces are gentle and discomfort is minimal. With Invisalign® we can even straighten your teeth without braces.
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. The National average of thousands of orthodontic treatments is 28.6 months. 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 prescribed rubber bands, taking due care to avoid breaking the appliances, and not missing necessary adjustments are crucial in achieving the most efficient treatment.
Invisalign®, and Invisalign Teen®, and Early Treatments (Phase I) take twelve to fifteen months.
Cosmetic treatments, Invisalign Express®, Interceptive procedures, and Periodontally Accelerated Orthodontics (Wilckodontics®) may take as little as six months.
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