Braces Desert Ridge AZ
Braces are the most popular orthodontic appliance in the U.S. and around the world, and for good reason. They have a long history of success. In fact, some archaeological sources show Cleopatra wore an early type of braces, maybe to help her dazzle Marc Antony. As a top orthodontist practice in Desert Ridge, AZ, we help patients improve their smiles (and their self-confidence) with braces that use the most advanced materials for optimal results with greater comfort and less time than the braces your parents or grandparents wore. Here’s how Desert Ridge braces can help you.
How do Desert Ridge braces work?
Desert Ridge braces have a long, established history for both beautifying smiles and correcting bite and alignment problems. They “work” by using an interconnected system of brackets and wires. Brackets attach to the front surfaces of your teeth using strong dental glues. Then the wire is attached to each bracket. Over time, the wires and brackets are adjusted and tightened to provide continual pressure. That pressure moves your teeth into their ideal positions.
What’s the difference between clear braces and traditional braces?
Clear braces and traditional braces Desert Ridge AZ are pretty much the same thing. They work the same way to straighten your teeth, and they both use brackets and wires. The differences are in the materials they use and how they “look” on your teeth. Traditional braces usually refer to braces that use metal brackets and wires. These braces are more visible on your teeth. Clear braces in Desert Ridge AZ use clear or tooth-colored brackets. So, they’re a lot less visible. Instead of “hiding” their Desert Ridge braces, some patients take a different approach. They opt for colorful ties that make their braces more of a fashion statement.
What happens during Desert Ridge braces treatment?
Once you have your consultation appointment and we determine Desert Ridge braces are a good option for you, the next step is to have impressions made. Impressions are like molds of your teeth, and they’ll be used to map out your treatment plan. Next, your braces will be applied to your teeth using a strong adhesive for the brackets. During your treatment, you’ll visit us once a month or so to have your braces adjusted. At each visit, we’ll tighten your brackets and wires a tiny bit to keep your teeth moving into their new positions. We’ll also evaluate your progress to make sure you’re on track to your final goal. Most patients wear their braces for about two years, but your treatment might take a little more or less time, depending on your needs and goals.
Will I have to wear a retainer afterward?
Yes, wearing a retainer will be a part of your treatment plan, and here’s why. When you have braces, your entire tooth shifts — from the crown or tip all the way down to the root. To make room for those root movements, your jaw bone is continually remodeling itself. Once your teeth are in their new positions, it takes a little time for the jaw bone to completely reform so your teeth and tooth roots are stable and secure. During this process, your retainer holds your teeth (and roots) in their proper positions. Without a retainer, your teeth might drift out of alignment before the jaw bone remodeling process is complete. The good news is, you won’t have to wear your retainer 24/7. While you’ll need to wear it for most of the day at first, you’ll wear it less and less over time. Today’s retainers are very lightweight, which means they’re also very comfortable to wear. Many patients opt to continue wearing their retainers a couple of nights a week while they sleep to ensure their smile stays perfect.
Is it hard to take care of braces?
Not at all, but it does take a bit of time to learn a few new care habits. You’ll still brush and floss as usual, but you’ll need to learn a few techniques for getting your brush and floss around your wires and brackets so they remove sticky plaque and tiny food particles. It’s not difficult at all — it just takes a bit of practice. Our team will provide you with guidance to help you nail down your new routine so you can keep your teeth and gums healthy. Some patients invest in a water flosser or a toothbrush designed to clean around brushes. Mouth rinses can also help kill bacteria in hard-to-reach places.
Will I have any food restrictions?
With braces, you’ll need to avoid foods that are very hard, crunchy or sticky. It’s not because these foods are necessarily bad for you or for your teeth. But with braces, hard or crunchy foods can break or bend your wires, and sticky, chewy foods might get stuck in your brackets. If that happens, you’d need to schedule a visit to have your wires or brackets repaired — not really a big deal, but it is less convenient for you. Particles from sticky, chewy foods can also be more difficult to remove with brushing and flossing, plus when food particles get caught in your braces, they can make your smile less than attractive. (That’s one good reason to avoid corn on the cob.) For these reasons, you should avoid hard or chewy foods until your braces come off.
Are braces better than clear aligners?
Both clear aligners (like Invisalign®) and braces can straighten your teeth and correct bite problems, but as advanced as the Invisalign system may be, it’s not designed to treat every type of orthodontic problem. Some more complex problems respond better to braces, which means braces can also provide better results. Braces Desert Ridge AZ also tend to cost a bit less than clear aligners, and some dental plans may offer partial coverage for treatment with braces, while they may not offer any coverage for clear aligner treatment. During your consultation visit, we’ll determine which option is better for helping you reach your goals. We can also review financing and payment plan options to make your care more affordable and budget-friendly.
Traditional and clear braces Desert Ridge AZ
At Dunn Orthodontics, we offer both traditional and clear braces for our Arizona patients, and we also provide truly custom treatment to help them reach their goals. If you’d like to learn more about braces Desert Ridge AZ and how they can help you get a more beautiful smile, call us at 602-864-0004 and book an appointment at our Desert Ridge office today.