Your smile is often the first thing people notice when they meet you. If you want to straighten your smile but don’t want traditional metal braces, invisible aligners might be the right solution. Invisible braces, or clear aligners, are removable plastic pieces that fit over your teeth and can be removed for a couple of hours a day while eating, taking photos, and other activities.

Like traditional braces, clear aligners are designed to move teeth a little at a time. Wearing them puts gentle pressure on the teeth, ever-so-slightly repositioning them.

Traditional metal braces have been used for a very long time, and have proved effective in aligning teeth and correcting bite problems. They consist of stainless steel brackets that use colored elastics to hold the arch wires in place. These colored elastic bands are changed every time you come in to ensure every band has enough force to move your teeth to their ideal positions. We let children and teens have a little fun and show off their personalities by choosing the colors of their bands. Traditional braces are also the most economical treatment option and the most popular alternative amongst our youngest patients.

Crooked teeth are not just a cosmetic issue. Instead, braces are often necessary to help facilitate biting, chewing, and speaking. Misaligned teeth can be harder to clean and wear away at tooth enamel, which can lead to costly procedures in the long run.

Braces can offer corrective treatment for several different issues. These include overcrowded or crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, overbites, overjets (when the upper front teeth protrude outward), underbites, and other jaw misalignment problems. Teenagers are at a perfect age to get braces because their heads and mouths are still growing, making their teeth more conducive to straightening.

Braces are no longer just for teenagers. Regardless of your age, it is never too late to improve your smile and dental health. Braces are most commonly advised for adults because they never received treatment as children to correct problems such as overbites, crooked or overcrowded teeth, underbites, jaw joint disorders, or incorrect jaw position. When left untreated, such issues can result in gum disease, tooth decay, earaches, and headaches. In addition, such problems can result in problems with chewing, biting, or speaking.

It’s important to understand that orthodontic treatment for adults may take longer than it does for children. As is the case with children, adults will need to wear a retainer for a period of time to ensure the benefits of wearing braces remain even after the braces are removed.

Retainers are an essential component of orthodontic treatment, helping to maintain the new position of teeth after braces have been removed. They prevent teeth from shifting back to their original position, especially during the first few months after braces removal, while also preventing further misalignment due to factors such as grinding, clenching, natural growth, and aging.

There are two general types of retainers available: fixed and removable. Patients with removable retainers are free to take out their devices and put them back in their mouths. This removability is convenient for brushing, eating, and flossing. Removable retainers can consist of either a plastic base that fits the roof of the patient’s mouth and a strong wire that wraps around teeth or a clear hard plastic that covers teeth.

Patients with fixed retainers will have a metal wire bonded to the backs of their teeth. The wires attach to teeth and adjust to each person’s bite to ensure that their teeth do not shift or become crooked. They are a good option for people who have a difficult time adhering to removable retainer guidelines.