Orthodontics

What a difference straight teeth can make! A great-looking smile can boost your self-confidence and have a positive impact on social and professional opportunities. And the great thing about orthodontic treatment? You are never too old to take advantage of it.

Properly aligned teeth help you to bite, chew, and even speak more effectively. Straight teeth are also easier to clean, which helps keep your mouth free of tooth decay and gum disease. The amazing thing about orthodontics is that it harnesses the body's natural ability to remodel its own tissue. With the application of light, constant force, orthodontic appliances gently reshape bone and move teeth into better positions. Examples of these appliances include: traditional metal braces, inconspicuous clear or tooth-colored braces, and clear aligners (a relatively new option for adults and teens).

Orthodontic treatment is simple, convenient, and affordable for patients of all ages.
As the name implies, clear aligners are made of almost invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or bonded to your teeth as metal or clear braces are, clear aligners are completely removable — for important social occasions, for eating, and, most importantly, for brushing and flossing.

Orthodontic treatment can resolve a number of bite problems, which often become evident by age 7. These include: underbite, crossbite, overbite, open bite, crowding, or excessive spacing. To correct bite problems, teeth need to be moved. Orthodontic appliances move teeth by careful application of light, constant pressure. This force can be applied via metal wires that run through small brackets attached to the teeth (braces), or via the semi-rigid plastic of clear aligners. 
Having orthodontic treatment in childhood is ideal because we can take advantage of the natural growth process to help move teeth into proper alignment But remember, healthy teeth can be moved at any age. In fact, 1/5 of today's orthodontic patients are adults. Before treatment, adults are carefully examined for signs of periodontal disease, which will be brought under control before treatment can begin.

One of the main advantages of the clear aligners is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. You will need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food and plaque do not get trapped in the aligners, which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. Your aligners, too, need to be cleaned regularly; you can do this by brushing them and then rinsing them with warm water.

Also, please keep in mind that while wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You will want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed to protect your investment (beautiful new smile).

Here's how it works

Specialized computer software helps us design a plan for moving your teeth from their current position into the best possible alignment. This movement will be broken down into several stages. Each stage will have two aligners, one to fit over your top teeth and one for your bottom. You will wear each stage for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours each day.

Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, it is extremely important to wear your retainer as directed. That's because teeth naturally tend to drift back to their original position — which is the last thing you want. Wearing a retainer holds your teeth in their new position long enough for new bone to form around them.
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