Braces Litchfield Park AZ
Getting braces might seem like a rite of passage for teens and preteens, but guess what? Plenty of adults are getting braces, too, and for good reason. More people are recognizing that Litchfield Park braces aren’t just important for getting a great-looking smile. They’re important for improving your oral health, too. And because the results of orthodontics last a lifetime, getting braces at any age is a smart investment in both your appearance and your well-being.
At Dunn Orthodontics, we offer traditional braces and clear braces for Litchfield Park patients who want to enjoy all the benefits of straighter teeth. Wondering if braces in Litchfield Park AZ might be a good choice for you or for your child? This FAQ answers the most common questions most patients have about how braces work, what they can “fix,” and what’s involved in treatment.
How do Litchfield Park braces work?
Braces use brackets and wires to move your teeth into alignment. Individual brackets attach to the front surfaces of your teeth using very strong dental glue. Then a special wire threads through the brackets, connecting them. During your treatment, the wires gently tighten, usually on a bimonthly basis. These adjustments maintain a gentle pressure on your teeth. It’s this pressure that causes your teeth to move, all the way down to the tooth roots. Even though the brackets connect by a single wire, each tooth can adjust individually, for adjustments that are very precise. The ability to adjust and move teeth individually is one of the main reasons why Litchfield Park braces can be an ideal choice for patients with more complex alignment and spacing issues that may not respond as well to clear aligners.
What’s the difference between traditional braces and clear braces?
Traditional braces usually refer to metal braces that use metal brackets and wires. Clear braces in Litchfield Park AZ use brackets and ties that are clear, making them a less visible option. Clear braces are a popular option, but they do require a little extra care to prevent stains from forming and making them more visible. Both traditional braces and clear braces work the same way to straighten teeth.
What kinds of problems can be treated with braces?
Braces are the most commonly used type of orthodontics, and they have a very long history of treating an array of issues, like:
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Open bites
- Gaps between teeth and other spacing problems
- Bite-related problems
- Crooked teeth
- Teeth that come in twisted or sideways
- Teeth that emerge too high in the gums
Many patients have more than one issue that needs to be addressed. Because of the way they work, braces can be the perfect “fit” for these more complex cases.
What happens during treatment?
Your treatment starts with a thorough evaluation of your teeth and your bite pattern so we can “map out” your course of treatment. We’ll make models of your teeth and take measurements, too. Typically, it takes a couple hours or so to apply your braces. Once they’re on, you’ll visit us about once each month for adjustments. Each adjustment uses a special tool to gently tighten the wires so gentle pressure is maintained.
Most patients complete their Litchfield Park braces treatment in two years or a little less. Some more complex cases might require more time to get the results you’re looking for. At Dunn Orthodontics, every treatment is customized for the individual patient’s needs and goals. Your treatment time will depend on the issues you need to have treated to get the beautiful smile you want.
Will I need to wear a retainer?
Yes, wearing a retainer is part of your Litchfield Park braces treatment. Your retainer provides additional support for your teeth once your braces come off. Braces don’t just move the tops of your teeth. They move the tooth roots, too. As the roots move, the jaw bone reshapes itself around the roots, providing firm support that anchors your teeth in their proper positions. When your braces come off, that reshaping is still taking place. Your retainer maintains the positions of your teeth while the bone reforms. Many patients go on to wear their retainers once or twice a week while they sleep as added “insurance” to keep their smiles looking their absolute best.
What foods can I eat while I’m wearing braces?
Many patients worry they’ll have to give up the foods they love during treatment, but actually, the list of problematic foods is pretty small. Mostly, you’ll need to avoid hard, crunchy foods and foods that are really sticky or chewy. That’s because these foods can bend or break your wires or get stuck in your brackets — and that means you’ll need to schedule an extra appointment to fix any damage and keep your treatment on track.
Can braces in Litchfield Park AZ improve my oral health?
Yes, in a couple of important ways. First, braces in Litchfield Park AZ make it easier to keep your teeth clean. How? Because when your teeth are crooked or crowded, there are lots of odd angles and crevices where food and bacteria can hide. These tiny areas are hard to clean with a brush and floss, and that means it’s easier for plaque and tartar to form. Sticky plaque and hard tartar are the top causes of gum disease, and bacteria that lodge between your teeth can cause cavities, too. By straightening your teeth, you make it easier to keep your teeth and gums clean, and that means you can reduce your risks of decay, gum disease and even tooth loss.
The second way braces can improve your oral health is by balancing your bite. When your teeth are misaligned, it puts a lot of excess strain on your jaw joints. Over time, the joints can get inflamed, and you can start to have symptoms like chronic jaw pain, headaches, and problems chewing — all symptoms of a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ. Plus, alignment problems cause uneven stress on your teeth, and that can lead to cavities and tooth breakage. By aligning your bite, braces help you avoid these problems along with the symptoms they cause.
Dunn Orthodontics: The Litchfield Park orthodontist you can trust
Orthodontics are good for your appearance, your oral health and your confidence. With so much depending on the outcome of your treatment, it’s important to select an orthodontist you can trust. As a top-ranked orthodontics practice in Arizona, we help Litchfield Park braces patients get the care they need to enjoy the results they want. To schedule an appointment for yourself or for your child, give us a call at 602-864-0004 today.