How Do Braces Work?
Braces are a fantastic corrective treatment that has remained popular for generations because of their efficiency and beautiful results. For clear and metal braces, we place brackets on each tooth and thread a wire through each bracket to connect them. This wire will allow us to adjust your braces so your teeth shift into the desired position. To bind the bracket to the wire, we use rubber bands you can customize by color to show your personality during treatment.
In addition to clear and metal braces, we offer Damon® System braces. The Damon bracket uses sliding-door technology, or self-ligation, that allows the wire to slide back and forth within the bracket. This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, Damon braces often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed.
How Long Will I Wear Braces?
The time you spend in braces depends on the extent of your orthodontic needs and goals. We want your dream results to last forever, so we will never rush you through treatment. However, our appliances are top-of-the-line and designed to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted in an efficient timeline. Most of our patients complete treatment and earn healthier smiles within 6 to 30 months. After you finish your active treatment, we’ll give you a retainer to wear for a period so you can maintain your results after your appliance is removed.
Do Braces Hurt?
Long gone are the bulky braces of the past that were uncomfortable and unstylish. We now have appliances that have been refined for ultimate patient comfort with a sleeker appearance. While there may be a short adjustment while you get used to the feeling of an appliance in your mouth and the sensation of shifting teeth, most patients quickly adapt to their braces. If you feel uncomfortable at first, we suggest taking over-the-counter pain medicine or putting braces wax on any areas of the appliance that bother your soft tissue. If you feel pain or discomfort for a prolonged period, we encourage you to reach out to our office so we can give you advice or make adjustments to your appliance.
What Foods Will I Have to Avoid When Getting Braces?
Braces are a life-changing treatment that will permanently alter your smile for the better. There are a few foods you should cut from your diet to achieve extraordinary results with braces. Hard, sticky, and chewy foods are known for pulling at brackets and wires and causing them to poke your mouth or break. We don’t want anything to lengthen your treatment or make you uncomfortable, so we encourage you to avoid these foods while in braces.
How Do I Care for My Teeth While Wearing Braces?
To have a smooth and comfortable treatment, our patients must maintain excellent oral health. Adults are much more likely to suffer from periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, leading to bone loss and tooth loss. To prevent this disease and maintain your oral health, you should take special care to work your toothbrush and floss around your brackets and wires to rid your appliance of food debris and harmful bacteria. We encourage you to continue getting your regularly scheduled teeth cleaning from your general dentist. By protecting your teeth, you can preserve the success of your treatment in braces.
How Do I Protect My Mouth When Playing Sports with Braces?
Braces treatment can fit into your lifestyle without making you give up the things you love. Our practice is a huge supporter of local sports teams, and we love seeing our patients out on the field or court having a blast. To protect your smile and appliance during games and practices, you should wear a braces mouthguard that fits snugly over your teeth. This way, if anything hits your face, your mouth won’t rub against your appliance, and your braces won’t break from the impact. Breaking your appliance could lead to a longer treatment and temporary discomfort, so it’s essential to protect your braces at all times.
How Much Do Braces Cost?
The cost of braces varies depending on the extent of a patient’s needs. However, we are constantly working to make our services accessible to the community. In pursuit of this goal, we offer flexible financing plans to help your family budget for this life-changing treatment. We also work with many insurance providers to keep out-of-pocket costs down.