Here at Meier Orthodontics, we are proud to offer many different types of braces to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
By offering different types of braces, we can work with you and your lifestyle to choose the best treatment that works for you! We are dedicated to giving our patients the orthodontic care they deserve.
Braces work by moving your teeth back into the correct position. You need to continue to visit the orthodontist regularly to ensure that your braces are working the way they should. They will need to be adjusted every so often to continue to do their job.
Traditional Braces
Even though there are many types of braces, traditional braces are still the most popular option. Great strides in technology have been made since they were first used, so they are becoming more comfortable and effective.
Traditional braces use stainless steel brackets and archwires to move your teeth into their proper position. Many teenagers like to decorate their braces with different colored rubber bands to give them a colorful and unique smile. You can choose a new color (or colors) during every adjustment!
Self-ligating braces
Self-ligating braces are metal just like traditional braces, though you won’t need to use elastic bands. This means that you will require fewer follow-up appointments and have even less friction on your teeth, which means less discomfort.
Some self-ligating braces use ceramic or even clear brackets. They use a specialized clip instead of elastic bands to keep the wires in place. The clips decrease the pressure on the teeth. With less appointments needed, and typically faster treatment times, self-ligating braces are a popular choice for teenagers and older patients.
Clear braces
Clear braces are less visible on your teeth than traditional braces are. Because of this, they are very common with teenagers and adults seeking treatment.
Clear braces are more likely to break than metal braces. Brackets are usually broken when patients eat certain foods. Ceramic braces are more commonly used on the upper front teeth than on lower teeth so that they are less likely to break.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are the newest and increasingly popular choice for aligning teeth. The aligners are invisible and removable, making them a top choice for teenagers and adults. The system uses clear, acrylic trays that straighten teeth just like braces and are much more comfortable.
Clear aligners are nice because you can remove them to eat, drink, brush, and floss your teeth as normal.
Clear aligners need to be worn as much as possible and need to be cleaned and adjusted regularly for optimal results.
Retainers
After the braces have done their job, you will need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in the right position. Your orthodontist will develop a timeline specific to you regarding how long to wear your retainer.
There are many different types of braces that will get you the smile you deserve. Before we decide what you need, we will do a thorough examination, which may include X-rays. Once we have all of the necessary information, we will work with you and talk through your treatment options to help you choose what’s right for you!