Orthodontics
A dream of a healthier and more beautiful smile usually drives the decision to receive orthodontic care. If you lack self-confidence in your smile’s look or feel, braces can be the solution. After your treatment is complete, you will have your dream smile and the confidence you need to show it off. Mint Dental dedicates itself to making our orthodontic procedures high-quality and comfortable. We will make sure you get the care that you deserve.
How Orthodontics Work
By applying a constant and gentle force on your teeth, orthodontic appliances slowly move your teeth into their proper position. Typical braces use metal, ceramic, or plastic to get the job done. Gone are the days when your only option involved a metal band and an individual bracket around each tooth. You can now pick clear or metallic brackets and sometimes the color or material of your appliance. Nowadays, the wires are less noticeable and the process more comfortable. No matter how old you are, it’s a great time to wear braces!
Duration of Treatment
Treatment time can vary between one and three years; a variety of factors, including age and the severity of your misalignment, determine the length of this period. A significant factor in successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent the patient, the faster your treatment will be. Children can receive interceptive treatment to provide a basis for smooth straightening later in life.
Before you begin your orthodontic treatment, your doctor will discuss your options and provide you with an estimated duration of your treatment. Depending on several factors, including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is, treatment time varies and can last between one and three years. A major factor in a successful treatment is you, the patient! The more involved and diligent you are, the quicker and more efficient your treatment will be. For children, interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a more rapid treatment time later on in life.
Your doctor will discuss your options and provide an estimation of total treatment duration before beginning your orthodontic procedure. Please contact our office to learn more about our treatment options or to schedule an appointment.
TYPES OF BRACES
Traditional Metal Braces
Far more comfortable than ever before, conventional metal braces remain the most common type of orthodontic treatment. Made out of high-end stainless steel, these braces straighten your teeth via metal brackets and metal archwires. You can select the color of your elastics (rubber bands) and add a pop of personality to your new smile.
Self-Ligating Braces
While typically made from the same material as traditional braces, this type does not require the use of elastics; instead, self-litigating braces use a specialized clip to guide the archwires into place. This lack of rubber bands results in less friction on the tooth and fewer office visits. In addition to stainless-steel, the brackets on these types of braces can also utilize less visible ceramic or clear brackets. 
Clear (Ceramic) Braces
Less visible than metal braces, ceramic braces are typically crafted from clear materials. For this reason, ceramic braces are the go-to option for adults and teenagers with cosmetic concerns. However, this lack of visibility comes with drawbacks. Ceramic braces are both larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts, so they are used most commonly in upper front teeth.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a series of comfortable, removable, and invisible acrylic trays that slowly work to straighten your teeth. Since you can remove them, you have a lot more liberty in food choice than someone with traditional braces. Being able to toss the aligners on the counter allows for easier brushing and flossing. Lastly, unlike previous options, this type of orthodontic care limits mouth abrasions.
Gold Braces
While almost identical to traditional metal braces, these braces come coated in a golden hue. Many people consider this a more cosmetic and attractive option. The cost of golden braces is surprisingly comparable to that of clear braces.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and remain invisible when you smile. These braces can be completely customized to the shape of your mouth and your teeth. Lingual braces are great options for models, actors, musicians, players of wind instruments, and adult professionals.
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth by using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces; however, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastics, meaning fewer appointments and less friction being placed on the tooth. Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They are the same size as metal braces, but they use a specialized clip in place of elastics to help the archwire guide teeth into place. The clip helps reduce the amount of pressure being placed on the tooth and requires fewer adjustments because there are no elastics to replace.
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene, as ceramic braces are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth rather than on lower teeth.
Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are also removable; so, you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, this helps to make brushing and flossing less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
Gold braces are similar to traditional metal braces. Like traditional metal braces, gold braces are made of stainless steel; however, they are uniquely coated in gold. The gold coating may be considered a more cosmetic option than traditional metal braces. And, the cost of gold braces is surprisingly comparable to most clear braces.
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore “invisible” when you smile. Lingual braces are 100% customized to match the shape of your teeth; the metal appliances are created uniquely for you. Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors/actresses, musicians who play wind instruments, and adult professionals.
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