It’s common knowledge that braces can fix a plethora of oral problems, from misaligned teeth to crowding problems, which impact your oral health. Years ago, patients had one orthodontic treatment choice: metal braces. Fortunately, there are multiple treatment options that are available now, and you can base your decision on your unique priorities.
As the founder of Embassy Row Orthodontics, Dr. Wayne Hickory is dedicated to helping every patient arrive at a decision about which type of braces are right for them, depending on the treatment goals they have, their lifestyle, and how quickly they want to see results.
The Embassy Row team partners with you throughout your or your child’s orthodontic journey, and we’re here whenever you need us.
First of all, Dr. Hickory is your guide and walks you through the things you need to consider as you make your decision in an initial, free consultation. These are some questions he typically asks:
After you and Dr. Hickory discuss your preferences regarding these questions, he presents the broad range of braces you have to choose from and together, you can weigh the advantages of each possibility, and come to a well-informed choice.
Your orthodontic options are varied, and each offers its own benefits.
These are a good choice if you want a durable orthodontic solution and are OK with your braces being visible.
Metal braces require that you refrain from eating certain foods because they can damage the brackets and archwires. Elastics are also used with metal braces treatment.
With this treatment, you need to visit us about every 6-8 weeks to have them tightened, though each patient’s schedule is different. Some discomfort can accompany tightening but it’s short-lived.
Damon braces are self-ligating, or braces that do not have a framework that includes elastics. Instead, a bracket mechanism secures the wire. A major benefit of Damon braces is that, with the omission of the elastics, there’s one less material in your mouth for food to stick to.
Additionally, these braces expedite your treatment more quickly, so overall treatment time is shortened.
These braces are actually applied to the back of your teeth, thereby making them invisible! There are brackets and archwires like metal braces, but they’re molded to the other side of your teeth.
If you don’t want people to know you have braces, these are a great choice. One thing to know about lingual braces is that since they’re oriented closer to your tongue, they take some getting used to and can alter your speech, but only initially. Your mouth quickly adapts after their placement and your speech soon normalizes.
As their name states, clear braces are mostly transparent because the brackets aren’t noticeable, but still use a traditional wire and bracket system. While not completely invisible, clear braces are much more subtle than standard metal braces.
You have your choice of either the transparent brackets or ceramic ones, which are matched to the shade of your teeth. Our Damon braces come in a clear option, and we offer ICE see-through braces, which are impervious to staining.
Another invisible option, Invisalign braces, isn’t based on the traditional archwire and bracket system. Instead, you wear two customized removable aligners, or trays, for 20-22 hours a day, but you can remove them when eating and drinking. This way, there’s no problem if you want that crunchy apple, gooey caramel, or a bowl of popcorn.
Every couple of weeks you receive a new set of trays as you progress through your treatment. Invisalign is a great choice if you want less upkeep and hassle in caring for your braces.
Invisalign treatment takes about a year to complete and requires scheduling an office visit only every three months, so your life is simplified in this way too.
We’re delighted to be able to offer so many treatment choices to our patients that can be customized to their preferences and lifestyles, in addition to their orthodontic needs. We also offer complementary treatments that can speed up your treatment time, no matter which braces you choose.
Call our office to set up a free consultation with Dr. Hickory, or book an appointment online.
