A misaligned bite can affect your oral, physical, and mental health. Fortunately, there are many non-invasive orthodontic treatment options to improve your smile and quality of life! Orthodontic work is a specialization of oral healthcare that focuses on aligning the teeth and jaw for a more functional, attractive bite.
Though many associate braces with children and teenagers, adults can receive and benefit from them, too! Central Massachusetts Orthodontic Associates proudly offers multiple treatment options for adults seeking first-time care or retreatment.
Traditional Metal Braces
Don’t let the word “traditional” or the age of the type of appliance fool you—metal braces are still the reliable, efficient go-to option for most orthodontic needs! They continue to improve over the years as new technology comes out, meaning their performance and results only get better with age.
Today, metal braces use brackets made of stainless steel, nickel, and other strong metals that can easily withstand daily life and activities. Their strength and the control they offer our orthodontists make them the perfect tool for even severe orthodontic matters. After we bend your wire to your ideal shape, it is attached to the brackets using ligatures (small elastics). When Dr. Giarrusso or Dr. Livanos tighten the wire, your teeth are gently moved. Because these ligatures come in many colors, you can customize your braces every few weeks when we replace them!
To keep your fixed braces in their best condition, you will be required to modify your diet and oral hygiene routine. At first, these changes can seem like a big obstacle, but most people quickly and easily adjust. The changes are only temporary, and we promise it’s worth it!
Ceramic Braces
Like metal braces, ceramic braces use brackets, ligatures, and a wire to adjust your teeth!
As their name suggests, ceramic braces are a different material than metal braces. The brackets are made of a polycrystalline ceramic material. These brackets are tooth-colored, and their ability to blend into the teeth has given them the nickname of clear braces! The polycrystalline ceramic materials are stain resistant. The only discoloration you might see is in your tooth-colored ligatures, but you shouldn’t worry too much about that because we change your elastics frequently.
Though “ceramic” could sound fragile, your ceramic braces are anything but! Clear braces can rearrange even the most complex alignment issues! However, because clear braces cannot handle as intense wire tightenings as their metal ancestor, you might experience a longer treatment period than metal braces to achieve the same result. They also call for you to be strict with your diet changes because the brackets can chip if you are not careful. Even still, clear braces are an excellent, aesthetically pleasing option for adults who desire a fixed orthodontic appliance but don’t like the look of metal braces.
Invisalign
While clear and metal braces are glued to the teeth, Invisalign clear aligners are not! Clear aligners are removable, transparent trays that straighten the teeth by gently applying pressure. They are able to improve bite needs of mild to moderate severity.
Invisalign uses state-of-the-art technology, like 3D models, to custom design your aligners and treatment plan. This custom approach allows for a precise fit of the aligners, making them snug and difficult to see so that you can straighten your smile discretely and comfortably.
If you desire freedom in your treatment plan, Invisalign might be best for you! Because the trays are removable, you can stick to your regular diet and oral hygiene routine! With that removability comes more responsibility, however. You must be sure you can wear them for twenty-two hours a day, keep up with them when you’re not wearing them, and keep them clean. Neglecting to wear or maintain your trays will negatively impact your experience and prolong your treatment time.
Things To Consider
When you come to your initial appointment, Dr. Giarrusso or Dr. Livanos will help you choose which is suitable for you by explaining your options and their differences. Which braces are best depends on the severity of your alignment needs and your daily routine. To help you choose, you should consider the following:
- Would you prefer if your braces are fixed or removable?
- Can you handle the responsibility of removable braces?
- Are you able to adjust your diet and oral hygiene routine to accommodate fixed braces?
- Do you want your braces to be less noticeable to others?
- Do you need a heavy-duty option?
- Would you like the treatment to be finished as soon as possible?
For the most beneficial and pleasant experience, carefully research your qualifiable options and realistically think about applying them to your lifestyle. If you don’t want the responsibility of removable braces and you know you can change your diet accordingly, fixed braces are likely best for you! If you are a foodie and keeping up with removable braces does not sound daunting, you might be a great fit for Invisalign trays!
Ready To Discover Which Braces You Qualify For?
Whether you want to revamp your smile or enhance your oral health, Central Massachusetts Orthodontic Associates can help you reach your goal. Our welcoming and knowledgeable teams in Worcester, Spencer, and Auburn will happily assist you every step of the way!
The first step in your orthodontic adventure is to find out which treatment option you qualify for, and doing this is super easy! All you need to do is contact us to schedule your initial appointment. After a thorough assessment, we can tell you your options the same day.
We can barely contain our excitement, so see us soon!