Orthodontics — Using Braces to Straighten Teeth

This is the branch of dentistry treating dental and facial irregularities with braces. Today people no longer believe that braces are "just for kids." Adult orthodontics is one of the fastest growing areas in dentistry. Straightening your teeth not only enhances your appearance and self-image, but your health as well.

Straightening your teeth will give you a healthy smile because properly positioned teeth are much easier to maintain and clean than those that are crowded or crooked. People with straight teeth are less prone to tooth decay and also gum disease and tooth loss. Correction of your bite will improve chewing and speech. It also plays an important role in reducing wear on your teeth and stress on the supporting bone and jaw joints. That means your teeth will have a better chance of lasting a lifetime. Another thing that people are often not aware of is that misalignment of the jaw joints can result in chronic headaches or pains in the face or neck. Proper orthodontic care can help you avoid these problems. Orthodontic treatment for adults may range from simple therapy to align teeth to complex therapy to correct misaligned jaws and teeth.

Some of the many new techniques in orthodontics include:
Space-age low force wires that remember their original shape allowing teeth to move faster without kinking
Clear tooth colored braces, gold braces, and mini-braces
Braces glued to teeth with adhesives containing cavity-fighting flouride
Computer digital imaging to highlight the areas of your smile that can be improved with treatment

And the newest, most revolutionary technique in orthodontics is called the Invisalign System.

The Invisalign System; A Revolutionary Way of Straightening Teeth

Invisalign combines proven science with new 3-D computer graphics technology. Nearly invisible aligners are worn sequentially in two-week increments and removed only for eating, brushing and flossing. Invisalign is ideal for millions of adults who want straight teeth but don't want to wear braces.

It all begins with a visit to an Invisalign-certified orthodontist, who will help you determine what you'd like to correct. Next, the orthodontist sends us your precise treatment instructions. Invisalign then uses its proprietary computer technology to create a sequence of finely-calibrated clear plastic aligners — as few as 12 or as many as 48 — depending on your particular case.

You'll wear each aligner for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will move-little by little, week by week-until they reach the final alignment your orthodontist has prescribed.