A beautiful smile and well-cared-for teeth have many benefits, including a positive impact on your overall health and self-esteem. When it comes to the appearance of your smile and overall oral health, it’s important to seek professional treatments and procedures. Keep reading for a few of the top options for getting a beautiful and confident smile.

1. Traditional Braces

Traditional braces straighten the teeth using metal brackets affixed to the surfaces of your teeth. A wire is threaded through the brackets and gradually tightened throughout treatment, typically with great, long-lasting results. With advances in orthodontic technology, traditional braces are smaller and more comfortable than ever, as well as being easier to care for and keep clean. Traditional braces now also require less frequent adjusting and shorter overall treatment time (an average of 16–24 months).

2. Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are another type of orthodontic treatment that require the use of metal brackets. However, with lingual braces, the brackets are fixed to the inner sides of the teeth instead of the outer surface. One advantage of this type of treatment is that the braces are less visible and less likely to leave white spots on the teeth; however, some patients report temporary irritation and a higher rate of breakage.

3. Invisalign

Invisalign straightens teeth by using a series of transparent, removable aligners, adjusting the position of teeth without the use of brackets or wires. The aligners are changed weekly (a benefit of our practice) and are worn all day, except when eating or brushing teeth. Many patients prefer this option to traditional braces due to their relative ease of use and more natural appearance. Since Invisalign aligners are removable, they are typically simpler to clean than the brackets and wires of traditional braces. This treatment also tends to be more comfortable and a less painful experience than braces, and if used properly, the results should be similar. On average, it takes about 9–18 months to see the full results of Invisalign.

4. Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces, otherwise known as clear braces, are another orthodontic tool used to adjust the position of teeth. They consist of clear (or natural tooth-colored) brackets that are affixed to the surface of teeth using light-colored wires and rubber bands. Like Invisalign and lingual braces, many patients prefer this type of orthodontia because of its more subtle and discreet appearance. And according to some patients, ceramic braces are less painful than metal ones because the ceramic is gentler on the cheeks and gums. However, they tend to be a little less durable and a little more expensive than metal braces, although the results should be similar.

Contact Us Today for a Beautiful Smile

With all the treatments available to achieve a more beautiful smile, we hope that you can find a great option to achieve your goals. A smile that you’re happy with means increased confidence and healthier teeth and gums. Contact our orthodontic team today to learn more about each of these treatments.