You’ve just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!”
Braces! What now?
Don’t worry! Braces aren’t nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.
How long will I have be in treatment?
The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:
- Early treatment — Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment, if it becomes necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment, and in some cases it may be recommended that a patient wait until they are older to receive treatment.
- What needs correction — The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently, so while it may take one patient only 12 months to complete their treatment, it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you expect.
- YOU! — Your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you, plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces and appliances; this truly helps shorten your treatment time!
Treatment Your Way!
Our practice offers a variety of treatment styles to choose from. Some common options include:
- Ceramic/Clear braces
- Traditional metal braces (with or without colors)
- Clear Aligners with Invisalign or 3M Clarity Aligners– the clear alternative to traditional braces. Removable aligners that won’t interfere with eating, drinking or your social life!
- Lingual braces with INBRACE .
Orthodontic appliances are a big part of life for many people your age. While braces may have had a bad reputation in the past, today’s braces make it easy to look good and feel good! Please contact our practice to schedule your next orthodontic checkup.