Traditional Braces

Why Braces?

Health Benefits

Crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Given time, they may contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss. Orthodontic treatment at your Oklahoma City dentist can result in better dental health.

Bad bites can result in abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and damage to supporting gum tissue. Sometimes crooked teeth and incorrect bites contribute to TMJ pain and associated headaches.

Orthodontic treatment often costs less than paying for treatment for more serious problems caused by problem bites.

Psychological Benefits

In today's world a premium is placed on health and beauty. The mouth is a focus of attention because we consistently communicate and express our feelings through it. An attractive smile can make a positive difference and create a better first impression. This can help with a child's acceptance in school or an adult's projected image in his/her career or perhaps even a job interview.

In addition to improving the health of the mouth, orthodontics is one way to improve a person's looks and self-esteem. Orthodontic treatment gives a person a sense of control because it provides an opportunity to participate in improvement of one's appearance. Increased self-confidence often is observed even before treatment is completed.

An improved appearance through orthodontics treatment can greatly enhance one's self-esteem, and enhanced self-esteem can improve one's quality of life.

Who can benefit from orthodontics

Children

Phase 1: Begins while your child still has many of his/her baby teeth and his/her secondary front incisors—typically around the age of 7. The goal of this phase is to improve moderate or severe orthodontic problems early. These problems include skeletal dysplasias, crossbites and moderate to severe crowding. Phase 1 treatment takes advantage of the early growth spurt and turns a difficult orthodontic problem into a more manageable one. This may help reduce the need for extractions and/or surgery.

Phase 2: Begins a few years after Phase 1 and the majority of the secondary teeth have erupted — typically around the age of 11. Phase 2 treatment involves the placement of full braces on all of the secondary teeth. The goal of Phase 2 treatment is to achieve an ideal occlusion and alignment with all of the secondary teeth.

Teens

Most patients begin orthodontic treatment between ages 9 and 16, but this varies depending on each individual. Because teenagers are still growing, the teen years are often the optimal time to correct orthodontic problems and achieve excellent results.

Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prove less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the problems that can develop in later years. Then there's the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you are not confident in the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Teenagers whose malocclusions are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand.

Adults

It's never too late and it's rarely too early to enjoy the many benefits associated with braces. You don't have to live with less than perfect teeth. Regardless of your age, we have a treatment that is sure to put a smile on your face.

Maybe you didn't get braces when you needed them as a child, or maybe you did, but you stopped wearing your retainer. Orthodontics can still help you. You are never too old for a beautiful smile.

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment is the most common form of orthodontic treatment patients receive to correct problems.

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment consists of the placement of the appliance, adjustments and follow-ups, removal of the appliance, construction of the retainer and any follow-up treatment needed to maintain the desired anatomical and aesthetic results.

The length of comprehensive orthodontic treatment typically depends on the severity of the problem to be corrected. Full treatment in correcting a protruding bite can take between 18 to 24 months. If the back teeth are aligned properly and the front teeth have minor crowding, treatment may only take between 9 to 18 months.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are one treatment alternative available to those patients who are in need of orthodontic treatment but, primarily for cosmetic reasons, are reluctant to have it.

The term "lingual braces" refers to a method of orthodontic treatment where the brackets and wires that produce the patient's tooth realignment are attached to the backside (palate or tongue side) of their teeth as opposed to the front or cheek side as is the case with traditional dental braces. This advanced method makes lingual orthodontics particularly well-suited for adults, who often want to improve the look and function of their teeth without letting anyone else know about their treatment.

Quick-Correct Braces

Quick-correct braces are a modern twist on tried-and-true orthodontics. Quick-correct braces have taken the best aspects of braces and modified the treatment and the materials to give adults a common-sense, cosmetic solution that fits your lifestyle.

Here is what makes Quick-Correct Braces so innovative...

• Average treatment time of only six months.

• Clear brackets and tooth-colored wires are barely visible.

• Use of braces has shown to provide the most conservative and predictable final result.

• Your appointments are fast and comfortable.

• Low forces and short overall treatment times increase comfort, safety and hygiene.

Types of Traditional Metal Braces

There are three types of traditional metal braces: stainless steel, titanium, or gold-coated braces. All three types of braces are excellent options for straightening your smile, but which option you choose really comes down to your personal style preference.

If you need braces, but want something that offers a bolder look than silver-colored braces, gold braces are a great way to draw attention to your smile, and are as tried-and-true as traditional stainless steel/titanium braces. However, if you want something a bit more subdued, you may want to go for stainless steel or titanium braces.

Pricing for gold braces ranges, and gold braces typically cost slightly more than stainless steel or titanium braces due to the gold plating, but if you want a look that is sure to wow for the 1-3 years you may have to wear your braces, gold braces options are an excellent option!

Stainless steel, titanium, and gold-coated braces have many benefits including:

• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Bacteria Resistant
• Strong, durable materials
• Non-toxic

Your dentist at Casady Square Orthodontics can help you determine what type of braces and teeth straightening treatment is best for you. For more information about orthodontics and braces, don't hesitate to call your Oklahoma City dentist at 405-254-5094 to schedule an appointment.