Here are the basics for each of the treatment methods mentioned above:

• Traditional braces – these are what most people think of when they hear the word “braces,” and they are still the most common form of orthodontic treatment. Traditional braces use brackets and wires to move the teeth into the desired positions and hold them in place. The brackets serve to connect the wires between the teeth, and they come in three varieties: metal, ceramic, or plastic. Metal brackets are the strongest and are most commonly used for those with complex bite problems, though they are not the most aesthetically pleasing option. Ceramic brackets appeal to some patients because they are usually either tooth-colored or clear, making them less noticeable. Still another, albeit less common, option is to attach the brackets to the back side of the teeth, an option known as “inside braces,” so that it isn’t as noticeable to other people that the patient is wearing braces. Traditional braces can be fixed onto the teeth using special orthodontic cement which can only be removed by a trained orthodontic professional, or they can be fashioned in a removable form. If you get the removable kind, though, your orthodontist will certainly advise that you not take it out repeatedly because doing so will greatly impede the progress of your treatment.
• Plastic aligners – sometimes known as “invisible braces,” plastic aligners are customized to each individual patient’s mouth and can be taken out for eating, brushing, and flossing. Each aligner is worn for two weeks before the patient progresses to the next model. This alternative to traditional braces is appealing both aesthetically in terms of not being easily noticeable and practically because food particles and bacteria cannot get trapped in this type of braces. Many patients with mild spacing issues find that they prefer this option over traditional braces. On the other hand, aligners do not work well for children or adolescents who do not have all of their permanent teeth yet because their mouths are still growing and changing, and the aligners are simply not strong enough to counteract the natural growth forces within the mouth.
• Space maintainersspace maintainers fill the gap in the mouth that is formed when a patient’s baby tooth comes out prematurely and keep the other teeth from taking over the space, which can cause crowding, crooked teeth, and other issues in the future when the permanent tooth comes in. In some cases, a custom-fit space maintainer can help patients avoid orthodontic treatment entirely by preventing problems before they occur. These appliances are small and most patients find that once they are in the mouth, they hardly notice them at all.
• Palatal expanders – for some patients, their mouths are not wide enough for proper jaw alignment. The palatal expander is a device that is used to widen the upper arch of the mouth to serve as a foundation for later treatment. These devices are most often used on children ages 8-10 because of their developmental stage.
• Removable computer-generated appliances – in certain rare cases, computer-generated appliances can be used in place of braces to treat some problems. Due to the unique nature of these appliances, they can be quite costly. Removable appliances with wires may also factor into your treatment depending upon your specific needs.

How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?

• At your second visit, the orthodontist will discuss the plan with you and give you a rough estimate of the length of the treatment period. The standard length of time for orthodontic treatments is two years, but there are many factors that influence how long treatment will take, including:
  • The patient’s age
  • The extent of the work that needs to be done
  • The patient’s willingness and ability to follow the prescribed treatment plan

For example, some of our younger patients may complete their treatments faster than older patients because their young bones are more malleable to the shifting that orthodontics seeks to accomplish. In some cases, the patient’s malocclusion may be so serious that oral or maxillofacial surgery is necessary as a prerequisite to the orthodontic treatment, meaning that the time to have the surgery and recover from it must be factored into the treatment plan. Patients who keep up with proper oral hygiene and who comply with all instructions from their orthodontist generally are able to conclude their treatments in less time than patients who do not. In addition to the approximately two year period of wearing orthodontic appliances such as braces, most patients also wear a retainer for a certain length of time following the conclusion of the initial treatment phase. The retainer holds the teeth in their new position. Some patients wear their retainer for one year, and others must wear a retainer at night for the rest of their lives in order to avoid reversing effects of the treatment.

No matter how long your treatment ends up taking, we are confident that you will love the beautiful, healthy smile that you will have as a result of the power of orthodontics!