Dunn Orthodontics is your expert for Braces Arcadia AZ
For decades (even centuries!), teens and adults have turned to braces to help them get straighter teeth and more beautiful smiles. Today, more people are recognizing that having orthodontic treatment isn’t just about the way your smile looks — it can also help you enjoy better oral health now and as you get older. At Dunn Orthodontics, we offer advanced orthodontic treatments including state-of-the-art braces to help our patients in Arcadia, Arizona, enjoy healthier, more beautiful smiles — for life. Here’s what you should know about Arcadia braces and what they can offer to you or your child.
How do braces straighten teeth?
Braces straighten teeth by gently shifting the entire tooth — from the tip all the way down to the root — into a new position over time. They do this using a series of interconnected brackets and wires. Each bracket is placed on an individual tooth, then the brackets are connected by a special dental wire that’s “locked” in place. During treatment, the brackets and wires are tightened a tiny bit at each appointment, applying a gentle but steady pressure that causes the teeth to shift positions.
Braces Arcadia AZ have been used for many decades because they’re safe, effective and predictable. Your Arcadia orthodontist will examine your teeth at each office visit, making those tiny adjustments to ensure each tooth moves in a specific way to give you the beautiful smile you’re looking for.
What’s the difference between clear braces and traditional braces?
Both traditional metal braces and newer clear braces Arcadia AZ work the same way. The difference is in the materials they use. Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires, and they’ve been around the longest. Clear braces use clear brackets and wires, so they’re far less noticeable when you smile and talk. Some clear braces use tooth-colored ceramic brackets. Clear braces blend in better, but they can also be prone to staining if you don’t care for them properly.
What kinds of problems can be treated with Arcadia braces?
Braces are extremely versatile, offering dependable, predictable results for patients with problems like:
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Open bites
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps or spaces between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- “Sideways” or twisted teeth
- Poorly aligned teeth
- Bite-related problems
Even though the brackets and wires connect to each other, your orthodontist can make very precise adjustments that affect multiple teeth or just one tooth. That’s why braces are often the treatment of choice for people with unusual or complex bite and alignment problems, where specific and very precise movements are necessary for achieving the best results.
What happens during braces treatment?
Orthodontic care might seem simple, but it all starts with a thorough evaluation of your teeth, your smile and your bite mechanics so the orthodontist can develop a treatment plan that’s unique to your needs. Once your treatment plan is mapped out, the special orthodontic brackets are applied to the tooth surfaces using strong adhesive. Then the wires are threaded through and attached to each bracket. During your treatment, you’ll visit our office about once a month for a checkup and adjustment. Most treatments last about two years.
After your Arcadia braces come off, you’ll wear a retainer for several months while your teeth adjust to their new positions. The retainer keeps your tooth roots table while the jaw bone forms and solidifies around them. Many patients continue to wear their retainers one or two nights a week once their treatment is complete, just to provide that extra support that keeps their smiles looking their best.
Are braces “just” a cosmetic treatment?
No. While braces Arcadia AZ are perhaps best known for improving the way your smile looks, they can help improve your oral health, too. By straightening crooked teeth, you eliminate unusual angles and crevices where food particles and decay-causing bacteria can hide. It’s easier to brush and floss straight teeth, so you can reduce your risks of cavities and gum disease. Plus, by aligning your bite, you can help prevent problems like chronic jaw pain caused by alignment issues like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Like the aesthetic benefits, improvements in your oral health can last you for the rest of your life.
Are braces better than clear aligners?
Both braces and clear aligners can be effective in moving teeth. But as good as clear aligners are, they can’t treat every type of orthodontic problem. Some issues are better treated with traditional metal or clear braces. During your evaluation, we’ll be able to determine which method will provide you with the best results. Braces also tend to be a bit less costly than clear aligners like Invisalign. Plus, insurance companies tend to offer more coverage for regular braces than for aligners.
Am I too old for Arcadia braces?
Braces don’t come with an expiration date. As long as your teeth and jaw bone are healthy and strong enough to withstand treatment, you can have braces or other types of orthodontic care to enjoy a more beautiful smile.
Are braces hard to take care of?
It’s not that braces are hard to care for — it’s just that they require a different care routine than you may be used to. It can take a bit of practice to brush and floss around the brackets and wires. But most patients find they adapt very quickly to their new routine, and special flossers, brushes and rinses make that routine even simpler. Once your braces are on, we’ll show you the tips and tricks you need to practice to ensure your teeth and gums stay clean and healthy throughout your treatment.
Some patients are worried about food restrictions with braces. But the fact is, the list of “forbidden” foods is really pretty small. The reason chewy, hard or sticky foods should be avoided is simple: These foods can break your wires or get caught in your brackets. If that happens, just call our office and we’ll schedule an appointment to repair any damage so your treatment can stay on track.
Dunn Orthodontics: Beautiful smiles for Arcadia patients
Braces aren’t just for teens and preteens. They’re for anyone who wants the aesthetic and health benefits that go hand-in-hand with straighter teeth and a more beautiful smile. As a top orthodontist in Arizona, we’re dedicated to providing custom care for optimal results. To learn how Arcadia braces can help you or your child, call us at 602-864-0004 and schedule an evaluation today.