It doesn’t seem fair, does it? Some folks are born with beautiful smiles; they have teeth that are straight and white as picket fences. Others, however, just don’t have the same luck. Unlike a lot of things that can go wrong with your teeth, the natural alignment of your teeth is pretty much out of your control, and fate decides how well you will be able to smile.
At Edgewood Dental Care (in Edgewood, KY, serving Edgewood as well as the entire Northern Kentucky metroplex), we have a range of orthodontic solutions to help you “beat nature” and get the smile you want, so you don’t have to live with the smile you have. Before you dismiss orthodontics as a purely cosmetic treatment, you should know that teeth that are crooked, or poorly spaced, or overlap or crowd each other, are more likely to develop cavities and gum disease. Poor alignment of the teeth also impacts your ability to speak properly.
Orthodontics for the Whole Family
Whether you’re a parent looking to give her child the best in orthodontic care, or if you’re an adult looking to repair your smile and finally overcome that bite issue that has dogged you your whole life, Edgewood Dental Care has the options and the expertise to get you your best smile.
In addition to full-banded and traditional braces (full-banded orthodontics treats the most severe alignment issues), we also offer ceramic braces and Invisalign, which can fix most alignment problems but with much greater discretion than traditional, metal wire braces.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work in very much the same way as the traditional braces you have seen in people’s mouths your whole life, but with one big exception: nobody will see them in your mouth unless you tell them they’re there!
Instead of metal, which can cause allergic reactions in certain patients, ceramic braces are much less noticeable than traditional braces. They incorporate transparent brackets and ceramic wires that blend in with the appearance of your natural teeth. Ceramic braces are also much gentler than traditional metal braces, and while this may extend the treatment time in some cases, depending on your situation they may even take less time than metal braces.
Ceramic braces are a discreet way for you to get your best, straightest smile, even if your alignment problems are very severe.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a very popular orthodontic treatment for adults and teenagers. Just as its name implies, Invisalign is virtually invisible. Instead of wires and brackets that are bonded to your teeth, Invisalign uses custom designed aligners. Aligners are made of lightweight, transparent plastic, and when they’re in your mouth, they’re almost impossible to see if you didn’t know they were there.
Invisalign is popular of course because of the low noticeability of the appliances, but also because they are easier to maintain, and keeping your teeth clean is much easier, as well. You simply remove the aligners and brush, floss, and rinse! You even remove them for meals, so you don’t have to change your diet like you might for traditional braces.
Your dentist will take digital x-rays of your teeth, and use an intra-oral camera to create a digital impression of your teeth; this information is fed into a computer that generates a treatment plan. An Invisalign treatment plan consists of a series of aligners that change slightly in shape over time. Every two weeks, you’ll get a new set of aligners. Each new set pushes your teeth into proper alignment according to the design of the aligners.
Invisalign can fix most alignment issues, but not all of them; your dentist will need to give you a thorough examination to determine if your problem can be fixed with Invisalign, or if another alternative might be needed.
How Will Braces Change My Life?
Orthodontics can dramatically increase your oral health, the appearance of your smile, and your confidence. That’s in the long term. However, you can expect a number of short term changes that might seem inconvenient in the moment, but when you see your completely transformed smile, you’ll know it was all worth it.
Diet – With the exception of Invisalign, orthodontics will place certain limitations on the foods you eat. Foods that are very tough, sticky or chewy can cause your braces to break or malfunction. The key to a successful orthodontics treatment is staying on track, and damage due to eating sticky and chewy foods can set you back weeks.
Your Oral Care – While many folks seem a little “put out” by the amount of time and care they have to put into their oral hygiene routine, the fact is (once again), if you want your braces out when they are supposed to, you need to take very good care of your teeth and gums. Oral health problems such as gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease) may require intensive interventions, which will turn back the clock on your treatment. Instead of viewing this as an inconvenience, use it as an opportunity to develop a disciplined approach to your oral care; your teeth and gums will thank you for it!
Tired of that Crooked Smile?
Don’t suffer the embarrassment and other complications caused by misaligned teeth! We have the options, the techniques, and the payment plans to help almost anyone get the best smile of their lives.
Give us a call at 859-474-7830 or click here for our online appointment form to book your visit right now!