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Braces
About the Service
Transform your smile with our expert orthodontic care. Whether you're seeking traditional braces or innovative clear aligner therapy like Invisalign, our dedicated team is here to craft a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle. With state-of-the-art technology and personalized attention, we straighten teeth, correct bites, and enhance facial aesthetics, all while ensuring your comfort and convenience throughout the process. Say goodbye to misalignments and hello to a confident, radiant smile that reflects the true you. Let us be your partner on the journey to a healthier, happier smile with our comprehensive orthodontic services.
Braces in Chicago; Recommended Orthodontist for Braces
Dental braces are used to align crowded or crooked teeth, or to correct misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment with braces can achieve astonishing results, including better oral health, better quality of life, better self esteem. Correct bite can even affect posture, spine health and sport performance. Success rates of orthodontic treatment varies depending on your age and what your treatment goals are. However, the most important factor which will determine the effectiveness of the treatment is your ability to follow the instructions of your orthodontist.
How do Traditional Braces work?
Braces achieve tooth movement by applying consistent pressure over time. This pressure prompts the bone in the jaw to adapt gradually, adding extra bone where tension occurs and removing bone in areas of pressure. This process, facilitated by the periodontal ligament or membrane, allows the teeth to shift into their desired positions. Contrary to popular belief, the teeth are not directly connected to the jawbone; instead, they are attached to the alveolar processes by the periodontal ligament, which responds to the forces exerted by orthodontic appliances. By the way, this is also true for Invisalign as well!
Understanding how braces move teeth in your mouth sheds light on the science behind orthodontic treatment. Whether you opt for traditional braces or Invisalign, the principle remains the same: consistent pressure prompts bone remodeling, allowing the teeth to migrate to their correct alignment. This gradual adjustment ensures not only a straighter smile but also stability in the new tooth positions. With this knowledge, patients can appreciate the intricate process that guides their journey to a beautifully aligned smile.
At Archer Dental in Chicago, we specialize in providing personalized orthodontic care tailored to each patient's unique needs. Whether you're considering braces or Invisalign, our experienced team is dedicated to helping you achieve the smile you've always wanted. With our expertise and commitment to patient satisfaction, we ensure a comfortable and effective orthodontic experience from start to finish.
Are Braces painful?
Some people ask if braces are painful. Getting braces doesn’t hurt at all during the bracket adhesion. The bracket placement process takes up to two hours. It’s normal to experience soreness for the first week after getting braces in and a few days after your adjustment. The first two weeks is an adaptation period and arguably is the least comfortable time of treatment. Teeth that were solid for years, are starting to move. So mild to moderate discomfort is common. As one might suspect, kids and teenagers are adopting better than adults. But at the same time, after teeth start moving and your cheeks and lips get used to the orthodontic appliance in your mouth, braces become unnoticeable to you. Your orthodontist will adjust your braces every 4 to 10 weeks.
Components of your Braces
Bracket adhesion
After the surface of your teeth is prepared, individual brackets are applied to your teeth one by one using glue. Brackets application is a careful and repetitive process, but it doesn’t cause pain. The brackets will allow for the pressure to be applied evenly to your teeth. They’re connected by archwires.
Archwires
Archwires connect all the brackets on your teeth. The system of our braces relies on archwires to place pressure on your teeth to move them to their new position. Arch wires can be made of different materials, like stainless steel, nickel titanium or copper titanium.
Bands
Bands are metal rings that are placed in the back molars. They firmly hug the tooth. Bands are used instead of brackets on posterior teeth because of intensive forces in that part of your bite.
Elastic bands, also called ligatures, placed around the brackets to secure the archwire in place. They come in various colors and will be replaced every time you come in for your appointment.
Springs
Sometimes your orthodontist will use springs. Springs and coils can be used to open, close or hold space. Springs and coils can either be on the archwire or connect teeth bypassing the wire.
Cost of Braces
At Archer Dental, we strive to make the cost of braces accessible for everyone. The cost of braces in Chicago varies depending on the type of treatment and the complexity of each case. Whether you're seeking traditional braces or exploring the cost of Invisalign braces for adults, we work closely with you to ensure that your orthodontic treatment fits within your budget. Many health and dental insurance plans cover a portion of the braces cost, but coverage can vary based on your provider and the specific services required by your orthodontist.
For those concerned about affordability, Archer Dental offers a range of flexible payment plans to help make orthodontic treatment more accessible. We understand that affordable braces are essential for many families, which is why we provide financing options tailored to your financial situation. This commitment to affordability ensures that both teenagers and adults can achieve a healthy, beautiful smile without undue financial strain.
In addition to traditional braces, we also provide clear aligner treatments such as Invisalign. The price of Invisalign aligners is competitive, and we offer comprehensive consultations to determine the best treatment plan for you. By discussing the cost of Invisalign aligners for adults and exploring all available options, we aim to make high-quality orthodontic care attainable. For more detailed information on our financing options, please click here. At Archer Dental, we're dedicated to helping you achieve the smile you've always wanted at a cost that works for you.
Here's Some Common Questions We Get
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Everything You Need to Know About Braces
How Fast do Braces Work?
Braces have a variety of factors that affect the rate at which your teeth will start to shift. The reason that orthodontists give a range is because your treatment schedule is set according to your individual requirements.
As a general rule, total time for wearing braces is between 18 and 24 months. In that time, you can start to actually notice the changes in your teeth’s appearance as early as four weeks from being fitted. But two or three months is the average expectation. Adjusting your teeth is done incrementally using varied forces, to maximize movement in the shortest period of time. Basically, it is done as quickly as possible without doing it too quickly—both of which have their potential downsides.
If the movement is too slow, it can result in the root resorption (shortening of the roots). Too quickly and, along with greater discomfort, the supporting bone won’t have enough time to grow the bone for proper support. There is also an increased risk of root resorption.
How do Braces Work for Adults vs. Children?
It may be news to some people, but you are never too old to get braces. However, there are some advantages to starting the treatment at a younger age. In youth, your jawline and tissues are still mobile as you finish developing into an adult. Children have more flexibility and their teeth respond to pressure faster. Once your teeth and jaw completely developed, there are some limitations to what braces can accomplish. Generally, adults go through the same process as children when they get orthodontic treatment.
How Braces Work for Adults: Braces work for adults by applying continuous pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into the correct alignment, much like they do for children. However, the process can be slightly different in adults due to the maturity of their bones and tissues. Adult orthodontic treatment may take longer because adult bones are no longer growing, and certain corrections may be more challenging to achieve. Adults are also more likely to have experienced some degree of bone loss or have other dental issues, such as fillings or missing teeth, which can affect the course of treatment. Nevertheless, with advances in orthodontic technology, including more discreet options like ceramic braces or clear aligners, more adults are finding braces a viable solution to improve their dental health and aesthetics.
How Braces Work for Children: In children, braces are highly effective due to the malleability of their developing bones and tissues. The basic principle remains the same: applying pressure to guide teeth into their proper positions. For children, orthodontic treatment can also influence jaw growth and correct bite problems, such as an overbite or underbite, which can have significant benefits for their overall oral health. Early intervention, often recommended between the ages of 8 and 14, can make subsequent treatments shorter or less complicated. Children's braces might come with colorful bands, making the experience more engaging for young patients and encouraging them to take an active role in their orthodontic care.
How to Take Care of Your Braces
Maintaining braces
Maintaining braces is essential for the success of orthodontic treatment and the health of your teeth and gums. Regular visits to the orthodontist are necessary to adjust the braces and monitor progress, ensuring that the treatment is progressing as planned. These adjustments can sometimes cause discomfort, but this is typically temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers or oral anesthetics.
In addition to professional care, patients play a pivotal role in maintaining their braces by avoiding behaviors that can damage the brackets or wires, such as chewing on pens, ice, or hard candies. If any part of the braces breaks or becomes loose, it's important to contact the orthodontist immediately for a repair. By following the orthodontist's care instructions, maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, and being mindful of the impact of certain foods and habits, patients can ensure their braces remain effective and their treatment stays on track towards achieving a healthy, aligned smile.
Once you have your braces installed, you will need to avoid certain foods that can become trapped or cause your brackets to fall off. Since your teeth are more prone to trapping food particles you will need to have more diligent hygiene routine and be mindful of how often you consume sugary foods. During your orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to visit your doctor for an adjustment and check your braces in every 4 to 10 weeks.
Cleaning Teeth with Braces
Cleaning braces is crucial for maintaining oral health and ensuring the effectiveness of the orthodontic treatment. Braces create numerous nooks and crannies that can trap food particles and promote plaque buildup, leading to issues like cavities and gum disease if not addressed properly. Utilizing tools like interdental brushes, floss threaders, and water flossers can significantly enhance the cleaning process, reaching areas that are difficult to clean with a regular toothbrush. Additionally, a fluoride mouthwash can help strengthen the teeth and reduce the risk of decay while wearing braces.
Regular and thorough cleaning of braces involves not only brushing around all components of the braces after every meal but also ensuring that the gum line, brackets, and wires are free of debris. This meticulous approach to oral hygiene helps prevent staining of the teeth and reduces the chances of developing bad breath or other dental issues. Patients with braces should also be mindful of their diet, avoiding foods that are too sticky or hard, which can damage the braces and hinder the cleaning process.
As we said before, it is important to be extra diligent about your oral care while you have your braces installed. Brushing after each meal will help to remove food from in between your braces. Using a floss threader will make it possible to floss around your braces twice per day.
We also advise to purchase a Waterpik flosser that can remove plaque from between your teeth with water under pressure, buy your braces with us and transform your lifestyle.
Retainers After Braces
At Archer Dental, we understand the importance of maintaining your beautiful smile after braces. That's why we offer expert guidance on the types of retainers after braces to help you preserve your orthodontic results. One popular option is clear retainers, which are made of transparent plastic and provide a discreet way to keep your teeth in alignment. These clear retainers are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth, offering both comfort and effectiveness in maintaining your newly straightened smile. Additionally, these retainers can be worn at night, making it convenient to keep your teeth in perfect alignment while you sleep.
Archer Dental offers several types of retainers, each suited to different needs and preferences:
- Clear Plastic Retainers (Essex Retainer): These retainers are nearly invisible and very comfortable, making them an excellent choice for those who want a discreet option after braces.
- Hawley Retainer: Made from a combination of acrylic and metal, Hawley retainers are known for their durability and adjustability, perfect for minor adjustments and long-term use.
- Fixed Retainers: Consisting of a wire bonded to the inner side of the teeth, fixed retainers provide continuous, permanent support, particularly for the lower front teeth.
With a variety of options available, Archer Dental ensures that you can find the perfect retainer to maintain your smile effectively and comfortably.
After completing your orthodontic treatment, wearing a retainer is essential to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. At Archer Dental, we prioritize your oral health and smile confidence by offering personalized care and expert guidance on the best retainer options for your needs. Whether you choose clear plastic retainers, Hawley retainers, or fixed retainers, our experienced team is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way in maintaining your beautifully aligned smile.
