Braces for Kids & Adults
How does it work?
Braces work by exerting constant pressure on your teeth, much like regular exercise can do for your other bones. When this happens, the connective tissue in your gums moves and shifts in tiny increments, allowing bone to grow into place, holding your teeth in their new position. This is called bone remodeling.
Braces have 3 main components:
1. Brackets – made from metal or (tooth colored) ceramic, brackets are attached to each tooth, either by bonding (like glue or cement), or with a band.
2. Arch Wire – a thin metal wire that runs over each bracket and provides the force and pressure used to move teeth.
3. Elastic – known as “ligature” or “o-ring”, elastics come in many colors and are used to hold the arch wires in place. Elastics are usually changed at each adjustment visit.
Active Treatment Phase
Braces are part of the “active” component of orthodontic treatment.
Teeth movement and bone remodeling happens when the arch wire puts pressure on the teeth. Sometimes appliances such as headgear are needed to stop the movement of particular teeth so others can align properly around them, or springs or rubber bands may be used to put pressure on a tooth at a specific angle so that it moves into alignment in harmony with the rest of the teeth.
Retention Phase
Once teeth movement is complete in the active part of orthodontic treatment, your teeth may look perfect, but the full treatment is not complete.
The retention phase of braces treatment is essential to ensure that your teeth stay in their proper place. It takes a while to get your teeth moving, and whether or not you can see it, it takes time for that movement to stop and for the bone to grow around the teeth.
It is especially true for younger patients, whose jaw bones are often still growing and developing during and after their active treatment phase.This is why it is essential to wear your retainers as advised by your orthodontist – so you can enjoy the results of your time and effort – for life!
Types of Braces
Traditional braces. Effective for all ages. Brighten up your metal braces with colored bands
Invisalign® is a type of orthodontic treatment that helps to straighten teeth without the use of the typical metal braces.
Invisalign® involves wearing a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners that help shift your teeth into the proper position.
Services
Restore your teeth to their natural beauty with minimally-invasive treatments. Fillings, Crowns, Root Canal Therapy and many more.
Your annual exam keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Our gentle and high-tech treatments remove tartar and bacteria, lowering your risk of cavities and gum disease.