For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you'll feel more self-confident. During your treatment, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position.

This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.

Duration of Treatment

Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on growth and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and have individual responses to orthodontic treatment. Since it is difficult to precisely predict how your teeth will respond to treatment and how your growth will progress, treatment time to case completion may differ from the original estimate.

Your diligent use of any prescribed rubber bands or orthodontic appliance is an important factor in achieving the most efficient treatment.

Sometimes we determine that interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may be beneficial to overall treatment. In these cases, treatment is accomplished in two phases. The first phase may take as few as six months, but it may last up to a year and a half. We generally take a break between phase one and phase two, during which we see you periodically to monitor your growth and any changes taking place. Once we are ready to proceed with phase two of treatment, we will take new diagnostics records and discuss your treatment options.