Exceptional Orthodontics

A straight and functional smile is a perfect smile, and sometimes you might need a little help getting there. Orthodontics helps correct most flaws that your teeth have, guiding them into place. The dental team at Trail Creek Dental is here to help you achieve your perfect smile. Call and schedule a consultation today!

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 Why Is Orthodontic Treatment Important?

Orthodontics is an important part of preventative oral care. When your teeth are not properly aligned, it’s possible for them to cause a wide array of issues, such as:

If these issues remained unchecked, oral surgery might be needed to correct further complications that may arise.

What Is Considered an Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that helps realign teeth to a correct position. There are many options available to help get your smile back on track. At our office, we offer braces, retainers and aligners to meet your teeth straightening needs.

5 Reasons You May Need Braces

Your teeth may develop imperfections that lead you to be self-conscious about your smile. These five common dental issues can all be addressed with orthodontics:

If you think your teeth might have any of these common problems, consult with the dentist to assess the best option fit for you.

What Are My Options If I Need to Straighten My Teeth?

After a consultation with one of our dentists, you might find that you need to have your smile aligned. We offer many different systems to help you. The type of system that you can use will depend on the results of your visit.

What are Traditional Braces?

Traditional braces are not what they once were. They are now much more compact and sleeker thanks to advancements in dental technology.

Traditional braces consist of stainless-steel brackets bonded to your teeth with adhesive and connected with a metal wire. They are the most common and most well-known type of braces.

How Do Traditional Braces Align My Smile?

When your new braces are initially placed, a thin and flexible wire guides your teeth into place. After your teeth are in a straighter position, a thicker wire is placed to slightly increase the pressure and continue guiding your teeth into their proper place.

Once your teeth are in the correct position, we will remove your braces and provide you with a retainer. The retainer will help you keep your new smile straight and perfect.

Why Should I Get Traditional Braces?

A perfect smile starts with straightening your teeth, and traditional braces are one of the most cost-effective ways to do so. Traditional braces fix a wide degree of teeth alignment, from minor to complex issues. This solution also allows you to take fewer trips to the dentist.

Advantages of Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional braces can be more noticeable compared to clear aligners. However, metal braces offer their own benefits, which include:

How Do I Care for My Braces?

Your braces require careful cleaning, but it isn’t anything you wouldn’t do already to maintain your oral health. Following these simple steps will make your daily brushing and flossing simple and effective.

Preparing to brush: Take off any rubber bands attached to your braces.

Cleaning you braces: With your toothbrush, clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Be sure to take the time to make sure any plaque or debris are removed.

Brushing your teeth: Individually clean each tooth. Apply gentle pressure to your motion.

Flossing: To ensure nothing gets stuck between your teeth and braces, be sure to floss at least once a day. Avoid applying pressure to your wires.

Rinsing: Rinse with mouthwash to keep your teeth, braces, and mouth fresh and clean.

Be sure to follow up with us to maintain your braces and make sure your treatment is going according to plan.

What are Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces regarding how they work, but there are some differences. These braces are placed on the back of your teeth instead of the front, making them nearly invisible. Choosing lingual braces is a more discreet option for those who don’t want front-facing brackets and wires.

Our office provides In-Ovation® L MTM, a revolutionary type of lingual braces.

Are Lingual Braces Right for You?

To be a candidate for lingual braces, you must have enough room on your teeth for braces to be glued on the inside of your teeth. Another factor that might not allow you to get lingual braces is having a bite problem, such as an under-bite or overbite.

Lingual braces might take some time to get used to because of the placement on the back of your teeth. After getting these braces, you may need to adjust the way you speak and swallow. Don’t be alarmed if it takes some time to figure this out. Your tongue will naturally adapt to the change eventually.

To find out if this option is for you, ask one of our dentists for more information.

Cleaning Your Teeth with Lingual Braces

No matter which type of braces you decide to get, keeping your teeth and braces clean is important. Food can easily get stuck on your brace and cause plaque and tooth decay.  Here are some tips for maintaining your lingual braces and oral health.

Because lingual braces are placed on the back of your teeth, be sure to brush them thoroughly to prevent any plaque buildup.

How are Lingual Braces Placed?

Lingual braces are customized to fit your mouth. An impression of your teeth is taken to make sure the brackets and wires are perfectly fit to your teeth.

After the impression is made, the brackets and wires are fitted to each tooth one at a time to properly correct any misalignment. The custom fitting makes lingual braces a more comfortable option.

Benefits of Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are an excellent option if you are looking for something more discreet. They also bring additional benefits to the table:

An Alternative Option for Straightening Your Teeth

You might not want traditional braces. For that, we offer Invisalign®, ClearCorrect, and Red, White & Blue. 

To find out more information about the clear aligner options, you can schedule a consultation with one of our dentists.

Teeth are sometimes crooked, unevenly spaced, or crowded which can alter your natural bite. These issues if left uncorrected may increase the odds of developing gum disease or uneven wear and tear, which can lead to more extensive dental care.

Clear aligners such as Invisalign, ClearCorrect, or Red, White, and Blue can help correct your smile and maintain your oral health. To achieve optimal results, you need to wear clear aligners for at least 22 hours per day.

How Do Clear Aligners Compare to Metal Braces?

Clear aligners are made of a nearly invisible plastic that can address a wide range of mild to moderate orthodontic issues without the hassle of traditional braces. Invisalign is free of any metal brackets and wires and are removable, making them a more convenient option.

As an alternative treatment for aligning smiles, clear aligners have numerous benefits. Some of these include:

Achieving a Perfect Smile

Are you ready to achieve your perfect smile, but unsure which option is best? Call and schedule a consultation with one of our talented dentists today!

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