Teeth-Straightening Solutions from the Teenage Years and Beyond
There are a number of orthodontic treatments available for every kind of smile and for everyone in the family from adolescents to adults. Orthodontic treatment is great for improving your oral health and bringing out your best smile. Misaligned teeth and a crooked bite can be difficult to clean properly, feel uncomfortable and even painful. We can resolve these issues in as little as six months through our orthodontic treatments.
How do I know if I need orthodontics?
You might benefit from orthodontic treatment if you have experienced any of the following problems:
- Overbite – when your upper teeth sit too far forward.
- Spacing – gaps or spaces between the teeth.
- Underbite – when your lower teeth sit too far forward.
- Crowding – when teeth are overlapping or impossible to floss.
- Crossbite – a bite that doesn’t mesh comfortably.
- Pain – Chronic headaches, jaw pain, or upper back and neck pain.
Orthodontic Treatment Options
There are many different treatment options available depending on your personal needs and your budget. Here are a few of the options that may be available:
Traditional Braces
Clear Brackets
Clear Aligners
Ideally, orthodontic treatment would occur in younger patients before most adult teeth have arrived. If you are a parent, we recommend bringing your teen in for a consultation. But don’t worry! There are orthodontic treatment options available for adults too. It’s never too late.
Braces do not hurt when they are first applied. When your teeth begin to shift you may experience some discomfort. Most patients describe the feeling as more annoying than painful. That being said, if you have any pain or discomfort, let us know! There are solutions available to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Avoid food that might damage your braces or may be difficult to clean out of braces (like candy apples, caramel, corn on the cob, gum or popcorn). You may also want to avoid sugary or acidic foods which will be more difficult than usual to clean off your teeth. Clear braces can become stained by some foods like beets, curry and Kraft Dinner.
Call us right away! Don’t wait until your next appointment.
Floss threaders and super floss are available and specially designed for flossing your braces or permanent retainers. We’d be happy to show you how to floss your braces at your next appointment.
For the majority of patients, braces will need to be on for six months to two years. We can give you a more accurate estimate after an oral exam.
