Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high-grade stainless
steel. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive.
Speed Brackets
Speed braces were invented by Dr. G. Herbert Hanson. The Speed bracket
utilizes (sliding-door) technology known as "self-ligation"
that allows the wire to slide back and forth within the bracket.
No elastic or steel ties are used with Speed brackets. This technology
creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient.
In addition, Speed braces often reduce both treatment time and the number
of adjustments that are usually performed.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most
popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal. The only
drawback to clear brackets are that they are more fragile, and the elastic
ties can discolor between orthodontic visits.
Gold Braces
Gold braces are stainless steel braces coated with 24-karat gold and
are popular with patients of all ages.
INVISALIGN
Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using
a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners.
It's virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that
you're straightening your teeth.
Clearly Different
The Invisalign System combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology
with 100-year-old science of orthodontics. Invisalign aligners are designed
to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position prescribed
by your orthodontist. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured
to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan. Your first step
is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign is right for you.
After sending precise treatment instructions, Invisalign uses advanced
computer technology to translate these instructions in a sequence of
finely calibrated aligners -- as few as 12 or as many as 48. Each aligner
is worn for about two weeks and only taken out to eat, brush and floss.
As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to
move gradually -- week-by-week until the final alignment prescribed
is attained. Then you'll be smiling like you never have before!
If you want to learn more about Invisalign and how it works, please
visit the Invisalign
Homepage.
To ensure the best possible results, only an orthodontist who has been
trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using
Invisalign. Invisalign is not intended for children and is not appropriate
for every adult. Only an orthodontist can determine if this treatment
is an effective option for you. To see if Invisalign can help you achieve
the smile you've always wanted, contact us to make an appointment.
APPLIANCES
KELES APPLIANCE
One of the most common problems orthodontics treat is the discrepancy
that occurs when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower. Ordinarily,
when we see a patient with the upper teeth protruding, we tend to think
that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward; but, more often than
not, this condition is due to a small lower jaw that is further back
than it should be. With these patients, we would like to encourage the
lower jaw to catch up in growth, and appliances like the Keles appliance
help this happen.
Wearing a Keles Appliance
At first, your mouth will feel unusually full and speaking will be awkward.
But if you practice reading aloud, your ordinary speech will return
quickly. You may also notice more saliva than normal, but this will
decrease as you become accustomed to the appliance.
HEADGEAR
This appliance is one of the most studied and effective appliances used
to correct a condition of the lower jaw being too far behind the upper
jaw. Today, patients wear it when they sleep. Growth is necessary to
correct this condition. Therefore, wearing headgear as directed is extremely
important. When worn during growth and as directed, the results are
extremely predictable.
