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Types Of Braces

Traditional Metal Braces

Why Metal Braces?

Traditional metal braces are effective in treating even the most complex orthodontic cases and are more comfortable than ever before. As a general rule, if you are eligible for orthodontic treatment, you are eligible for metal braces regardless of age. Metal braces are easy to live with because they are always on your teeth and you cannot remove them. This treatment also tends to be the most cost-effective.

How Braces Remodel Your Smile

A lot of us know a little something about braces. These are things that are used to move a person’s teeth into a better place. But how do they do this? They mostly work by putting pressure on specific teeth. Teeth can move over time because of gentle pressure on a person’s teeth and even jaws. Dr. Sarah directs this movement by the careful, customized placement of each bracket on each tooth and connecting the brackets together with high-tech wires. Some patients will need to wear clear elastics that also help direct tooth movement. These gentle forces will gradually straighten teeth, so you can start to see results quickly.

Ready to transform your smile? The first step is to schedule an appointment at Smile Orthodontics with Dr. Sarah, your Hamptons Orthodontist. She will perform an exam to make sure that metal braces are right for you and go over all the information you need to know. Usually, your treatment can begin that same day with the placement of your braces. Traditional metal braces are safely bonded to your teeth using a special orthodontic cement that will keep them in place during treatment and come off easily when treatment is complete. Before you leave the office, you will know how to take care of your braces and when to schedule your next appointments to ensure that your new smile is the one you have always dreamed of!

Clear Braces

The Discreet Alternative

Clear braces offer an esthetic and effective alternative to traditional metal braces. Clear braces are much less noticeable than traditional metal braces, but still easy to live with and maintain. The specially designed ceramic material is made to reflect light just like your natural tooth. This creates a less noticeable treatment while still providing the convenience of a fixed appliance. Fixed appliance means the appliance is bonded solidly in your mouth so you don’t have to worry about removing it to eat or brush.

Clear Braces work using the same orthodontic principles as traditional metal braces but are far less noticeable, meaning that they work by putting gentle pressure on the teeth. Teeth can move over time because of gentle pressure on a person’s teeth and even jaws. With clear braces, Dr. Sarah directs this movement by careful, customized placement of each clear bracket on each tooth and connecting the brackets together with high-tech wires. Some patients will also be asked to wear clear elastics that also help direct the tooth movement. Clear braces are also suitable for resolving a variety of orthodontic conditions ranging from simple to complex.

The Right Patient for Clear Braces

Just like metal braces, clear braces are an option for anyone that is eligible for orthodontic treatment. Clear braces are often chosen by adults (and kids) that are looking for a more esthetic alternative to metal braces, but don’t want the responsibility of caring for clear aligners.

If you don’t like the way your teeth look, there is no better time than now to start your orthodontic treatment. Make an appointment at Smile Orthodontics with Dr. Sarah, your orthodontist in the Hamptons. To make sure that clear braces are right for you, she will do an exam and go over all the information you need to know. Most of the time, your treatment can start right away. Before you leave the office, we will teach you how to take care of your braces and when to come back for your adjustment appointments.

Braces for Kids

The Best Age For Braces

Most children have all or almost all of their permanent teeth between the ages of nine and fourteen. This is typically the best time for braces, however, Dr. Sarah advises that children come in for an evaluation by age 7. Some orthodontic and skeletal issues are easier to correct early, while there may still be many baby teeth. In this case, early treatment will be recommended.

Advantages of Early Treatment

Corrective processes operate faster and more effectively on children than on adults, and certain things work better on younger kids than teens. Early therapy is an excellent preventive measure that builds the foundation for a healthy mouth in maturity. While your child’s teeth may appear straight and aligned, underlying concerns may require attention to avoid more severe issues. Early intervention makes later orthodontic treatment easier and faster, which saves money in the long term.

Signs Your Child May Need Early Treatment

The most common reason for early treatment is crossbite. This can be as simple as a crossbite of one front tooth or the entire upper jaw biting inside the lower jaw. Both cases are best treated early on so that the jaws and teeth can grow harmoniously as your child matures. A major benefit of treating early is the ability of the upper jaw bone to expand and grow with treatment before puberty. Addressing problems early on can greatly improve the growth pattern and orthodontic outcome later.

Braces for Teens

Advantages of Braces as a Teen

While there is no exact age to correct your smile, having braces as a teen has some important advantages. As a teen, you and many of your friends can go through the process of having braces, making it a shared experience. Also, most teens are still growing, which means that some problems with jaw alignment can be improved with treatment. As a teen, a straight smile will also lead to a lifetime of improved oral health and improved confidence.

Signs You Need Orthodontic Treatment

As per the American Association of Orthodontists, kids aged 12 to 17 account for more than half of the two million orthodontic cases treated in the United States each year. Braces are a useful solution for many issues you might notice:

  • Crowded or overlapped teeth
  • Spacing or gaps between the teeth
  • Top teeth protruding over the lower teeth excessively (overjet)
  • Bottom teeth protruding over upper teeth (crossbite or underbite)
  • Top and bottom front teeth not able to touch (openbite)
  • Upper teeth biting inside lower teeth (crossbite)
  • Any other problems with the fit of the top and bottom teeth together
  • Many other issues such as tongue thrust, tongue tie, sleep issues, and speech issues are also linked to orthodontic care

Getting Started on Teen Braces

Begin orthodontic treatment immediately to improve the appearance and function of your smile. Make an appointment with Dr. Sarah, your Hamptons orthodontist. She will perform an exam and go over all of the relevant data with you to determine the best treatment option for you. The vast majority of the time, you can begin your treatment right away. Our goal is to assist you in achieving the smile you’ve always wanted. When you leave our office, we will provide you with information on how to care for your braces and the dates you should return for follow-up visits.

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Braces for Adults

Why Have Orthodontic Treatment as an Adult

People opt to receive orthodontic treatment as adults for a number of reasons. For some, the opportunity to wear braces as a teenager was never accessible, but the desire to have a flawless smile has never faded. Others may have undergone braces as children, but their teeth may have shifted position over time. Teeth may move out of place as a normal part of aging, or if retainers aren’t worn as regularly as advised. Whatever the cause, it’s never too late to have your teeth straightened. People are living longer and more active lives, and having confidence in your smile can be a part of enjoying that life!

Differences in Adult Braces

The good news is that most orthodontic issues can be corrected in adults. The principles of moving teeth are the same at any age, so the types of treatments are also the same. Some adults have dental work such as crowns and bridges that requires special planning, but these can easily be worked around or improved with orthodontic care. Special care is also taken to ensure bone and gum health is present and maintained or improved during adult treatment.

Get Started with Adult Braces

The sooner you begin orthodontic treatment, the better your smile will look and function. Please contact Dr. Sarah, your Hamptons Orthodontist, to schedule an appointment. She will assess you and go through all of the pertinent information with you in order to find the best treatment choice for your specific situation. Many times, you may begin your therapy immediately. We’re here to help you get the smile of your dreams.

Braces FAQ

We will make treatment accessible for you. The cost of braces depends on the treatment needed, so each case has to be evaluated by Dr. Sarah to determine the best treatment plan. We will make sure you have lower down and monthly payments as well as receive the insurance benefits available to you.

The installation and adjustment of braces do not hurt at all! High-tech wires and new bonding techniques allow braces to be lightly placed on the teeth and adjusted gently. As the teeth start to move, especially for the first time, most patients do experience a little soreness, similar to a sore muscle after exercise. We recommend 1-2 days of over-the-counter pain relievers and the soreness will fade away as you see your new smile emerge! Some patients also have an adjustment period as their cheeks and lips get used to the new appliances. We provide wax and plenty of support to help smooth this transition as well.

As little time as possible! Each patient’s treatment time is unique due to many factors such as the goals of treatment, the complexity of each patient’s situation, and the type of treatment chosen. Dr. Sarah’s treatment philosophy includes a big focus on making the process of a great smile as convenient as possible and a big part of that is getting you the results you want efficiently!

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends all children have an orthodontic consult by the age of seven. Not all children will need treatment at that age, but certain growth issues are much easier to treat at a younger age. If this is the case for your child it can make their treatment much faster and cost-effective to start early.

It’s never too late to get the smile of your dreams. Dr. Sarah has treated patients in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s! Adult treatment has many benefits not only to the appearance of your teeth but your oral and overall health!

Yes, you should continue to visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups every six months.