Braces and Invisalign^®

Not only can braces correct teeth that are crowded or spaced, they can also improve overbites, cross bites and under bites. While braces provide a cosmetic improvement to smiles, they also serve to prevent potential dental health problems. Orthodontic treatment helps prevent inflammation of the gums resulting from crowded teeth and excessive tooth wear that often accompanies bite problems. At times, braces are utilized to correct speech problems such as lisps.

Recent orthodontic advances have resulted in improvements in patient comfort, including reduced bulkiness of the brackets. New alloys have been employed to create lighter, more flexible wires. The past decade has seen great advances in the number of options available to patients who need braces.

The creation of “clear braces,” known as Invisalign^®, has provided an option for patients who desire braces but are concerned about the appearance of metal brackets. Invisalign^® offers several advantages, most notably the nearly invisible appearance of the appliances. The ability to remove the trays while eating, brushing and flossing is appealing as well. Invisalign^® now offers a product for teenagers which helps to eliminate the common teenage problems of broken appliances and plaque build-up surrounding metal braces. Invisalign^® is typically more expensive than metal braces.

Lingual braces provide another option to disguise the appearance of braces. Lingual braces are placed on the back of teeth and are custom-fit to the individual patient. Lingual braces may be a good choice for people with sensitivity to plastics, for athletes who play contact sports and for musicians who play wind instruments.

SureSmile^® has created a new orthodontic treatment option which decreases the amount of time spent in braces by up to 40%. The SureSmile^® system utilizes computer software and robotic manipulation of wires to create more precise adjustments which result in shorter treatment time. SureSmile^® claims that patients treated with the SureSmile^® system experience less pain than traditional braces. The vast majority of braces are placed by orthodontists, but more general dentists are beginning to offer treatment options like Invisalign^®.

Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets and tooth colored wires to provide less noticeable braces.  Average treatment time with this equipment and technique is six months.  You can visit their website at www.6monthsmiles.com to learn more and take a quiz to see if this treatment might work for you.