When you visit our office for orthodontics, we will start by examining your teeth and talking about your goals and what you want your smile to look like. This isn't the 1980’s. There are a variety of ways to straighten your teeth and improve your smile now. Traditional metal braces are only one solution, and we will work with you to make sure that whatever we recommend is a fit for your appearance goals and your lifestyle.
If you are concerned about a certain type of treatment of worried that you won’t be able to eat your favorite burger – let us know. We want to take your concerns into consideration so that when we make a treatment recommendation we are making one that you can live with.
Here are some fun facts about orthodontics that you should keep in mind.
- Braces are for the artist in you. That’s right – you can get creative with your braces. That’s because we use rubber bands to secure your wire in place. They come in a wide variety of colors, and you can make any pattern that you want. Your braces can match your favorite outfit or the next holiday. It’s up to you!
- You don’t have to see them. In some cases, patients qualify to wear braces behind their teeth instead of in front. This may sound strange, but it can be an effective way to move your teeth. If you’re interested in this option let us know, and we can determine if it’s a viable treatment for you.
- You can take them off. If you use an aligner to straighten your teeth, instead of metal braces, you can take the aligner off when you eat. This is the perfect option for foodies that can’t live without their favorite plate of ribs or other messy foods that can be hard to eat with braces. Simply pop it off; eat like normal, brush, and put the aligner back on to keep your teeth moving in the right direction.
- The procedure is faster. Dental technology has improved to the point that most people wear orthodontics for a shorter period of time than they used to. Decades ago some people had their braces on all through high school. Now it’s common to wear them for two years or less.
- They are smaller. The size of the metal brackets and wires has shrunk. This means that more of your natural teeth show through, they are easier to clean, and your appearance will look better. Even though they are smaller they are still more effective, so it’s better all around.
Orthodontics is also cooler than it used to be. Braces got a bad reputation when they first came out because only a few people wore them. This made them a little strange. Now, more and more people have braces, and it is rare for kids to not have at least a few of their friends wearing braces at any given time. This has made them socially acceptable and even fun. More importantly your smile will look amazing when done.
