Orthodontics in Fulton
Benefits of Orthodontic Care
Orthodontic care presents a number of aesthetic and oral health benefits to patients. Braces aren’t just for children and teenagers, either. In fact, many adults choose to wear braces to improve their appearance and wellbeing. Braces for adults might be necessary if patients never received orthodontic care in their youth, didn’t wear their retainers properly, or if the emergence of wisdom teeth contributed to spacing issues between teeth.
Conventional braces and Invisalign can help patients correct orthodontic issues such as:
- Gapped teeth
- Crooked and overlapped teeth
- Occlusal issues including the improvement of underbites and overbites
Almost everyone knows that wearing braces improves the placement of your teeth but many are surprised to learn that orthodontic care is more than just an investment in your appearance.
Orthodontics can promote a lifetime of vibrant oral health by:
- Spacing teeth properly for improved oral hygiene
- Aligning teeth so that they make proper contact during oral function
- Reducing the incidence of untimely tooth wear
- Promoting comfortable and efficient oral function
Traditional Braces
Conventional braces, that utilize archwire and brackets, are one of the most effective methods for moving teeth to straighter, healthier positions. These braces generate force and apply gentle pressure to teeth to facilitate their movement. Wearing conventional braces improves the positioning of teeth and can assist with correcting improper bites like open bites, underbites, and overbites.
Today’s conventional braces can be constructed from colored materials along with more discreet materials like clear plastics and porcelain. While patients of all ages can wear traditional fixed braces, they are most commonly associated with teenagers.
Invisalign®
Invisalign is a system of removable orthodontic appliances called aligners. Made from clear plastic, Invisalign’s aligners generate consistent force and pressure to move teeth without the need for fixed orthodontia. In addition to being removable for meals and oral hygiene, Invisalign is less conspicuous than fixed metal and wire braces. Since Invisalign utilizes clear orthodontic appliances, this treatment option is especially popular among adults. Some teenagers might be eligible for this treatment method as well.
Treatment consists of wearing custom-made appliances that fit over teeth like a retainer for about 22 hours each day. Every two weeks, patients switch to a new custom set of aligners that are tighter than the set previously worn. As these appliances become tighter, they continue to apply the gentle force needed to move teeth. Within a few months of treatment, patients will begin to notice that their teeth are better spaced and straighter.
Retainers
Wearing retainers after braces or Invisalign is an important component of orthodontic treatment. Retainers are necessary to prevent teeth from reverting back to their old, unhealthy positions.
Retainers help keep teeth in place while their roots and periodontal ligaments adjust to their new placement. You should wear your retainer exactly as recommended by our dentist to preserve the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Inadequate and improper retainer use might require wearing braces again to correct reemerging orthodontic issues.
Your orthodontic treatment is an investment in your appearance and your oral health. Call Callaway Family Dental to schedule a consultation.
Common Orthodontics Questions
What is Invisalign and how does it work?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment system. Worn over teeth like a retainer, Invisalign aligners straighten the positions of teeth by applying consistent pressure. Made from clear plastic, Invisalign appliances are worn about 22 hours each day. Patients will switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks. As treatment progresses and appliances get tighter, patients will begin to see noticeable results. Like conventional orthodontia, Invisalign can improve the appearance of rotated, crowded, overlapped, and gapped teeth.
Is Invisalign right for me?
Choosing Invisalign is beneficial to those who desire discreet and comfortable orthodontic treatment. This option is especially popular among adults. While Invisalign can help improve a number of orthodontic issues, some patients might require conventional braces.
Determining if Invisalign is right for you involves scheduling a consultation with our dentist. After a thorough examination, our team can help you choose the orthodontic treatment option that meets your needs.
What is the difference between Invisalign and traditional braces?
Instead of utilizing fixed orthodontic appliances like wires and brackets, Invisalign consists of removable plastic appliances called aligners. The aligners are removed for eating, flossing, and brushing. While Invisalign looks quite different from traditional braces, this treatment system utilizes gentle force and pressure like conventional braces to move teeth.
Patients will wear the aligners for about two weeks before switching to a new, tighter set. As aligners become tighter, they will accommodate new tooth positioning and generate the pressure necessary to facilitate tooth movement. Within a few months, patients will start to see obvious results like gaps closing between teeth and crooked teeth appearing straighter.
While traditional braces and Invisalign can produce similar results, it is important to discuss your orthodontic needs with your dentist. Invisalign might not be the ideal treatment option for all patients. Some patients’ needs require traditional braces to achieve the results they desire.