Orthodontics is devoted to building beautiful smiles by bringing teeth, lips, and jaws into proper alignment. Straight teeth function better, are easier to clean, and are more likely to last your lifetime.

Although patients of any age can benefit from orthodontic braces, they tend to work much quicker on pre-teens and teenagers since they are still experiencing jaw growth. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children should first see an orthodontist around the age of seven years-old. An orthodontic examination may be beneficial before age seven if facial or oral irregularities are noted.

Clear Braces for Adults

Today, an increasing number of adults are choosing to wear clear braces to straighten their teeth and correct malocclusions (bad bites).

Clear braces are a great alternative to metal braces. They are less noticeable than metal braces and are perfect for teens and adults who don’t want metal to mar their smiles.

Clear braces are the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they have tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in to teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to be even less noticeable.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Orthodontic braces, clear and metal braces are predictable, versatile and incredibly successful at realigning the teeth. Braces work in the same way regardless of the age of the patient, but the treatment time is greatly reduced in patients who are still experiencing jaw growth and have not been affected by gum disease. In short, an adult can experience the same beautiful end results as a teenager, but treatment often takes longer.

Braces consist of bands, wires and/or brackets. Bands are fixed around the teeth or tooth and used as anchors for the appliance, while brackets are bonded to the front of the tooth. Arch wires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands. Tightening the arch wire puts tension on the teeth, gradually moving them to their proper position. Braces are usually adjusted monthly to bring about the desired results, which may be achieved within a few months to a few years. Today’s braces are smaller, lighter and show far less metal than in the past.

We usually recommend braces to improve the patient’s:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Uneven spacing
• Undesirable gaps between teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Protruded teeth and/or jaw
• Lack of symmetry of the face
• Headaches
• TMJ symptoms
• Breathing problems