Straight teeth can help improve your dental health and confidence. They also improve your bite, which can prevent future problems. Orthodontic braces close to me consist of brackets that hold an arch wire, which moves your teeth to straighten them. They can be made of traditional metal or clear or tooth-colored ceramic.
Look at Office Reviews
When choosing braces near me, it’s important to take the time to look at office reviews. This will help you find an orthodontist with a good reputation and who can offer high-quality care. You can also ask your general dentist for recommendations. They may have a network of orthodontists they trust, and can recommend one that would be a good fit for your unique smile needs. When you choose an orthodontist, be sure to schedule a consultation. This will give you a chance to ask questions, and get a feel for the office.
Look for a Provider That Accepts Payment Plans
Getting braces is a big commitment, and the cost can be prohibitive for many people. When choosing a provider, look for one that accepts payment plans. These options help to spread the cost of treatment over a period of time and make it more affordable for patients.
While traditional metal braces are the most common, other treatment options exist. These include self-litigating and lingual braces, which are placed behind the teeth and are therefore less visible. For adults, these alternatives are a great option because they allow for discreet treatment.
Look for a Provider That Offers Invisalign
Invisalign is a clear alternative to braces that uses a series of clear plastic aligners that fit over your teeth. These aligners apply consistent pressure to shift your teeth into their correct positions and are removable for eating, brushing, and flossing.
Invisalign works well for most people who have mild to moderate alignment issues. However, Invisalign isn’t suitable for everyone, and patients with serious overbites, underbites, or crossbites may require traditional braces instead.
When looking for an Invisalign provider, look for one who is a Preferred or Premier Provider and has a track record of successful treatments. You should also make sure the provider is comfortable discussing your options and answering questions.
Look for a Provider That Offers Self-Litigating Braces
With their specialized mechanism, self-ligating braces eliminate the need for elastic or metal ligatures. This reduced friction allows for quicker tooth movement and less discomfort.
They also allow for a sleeker appearance and are easier to clean as there are no rubber bands to trap food. However, patients will still need to use a floss threader and swish antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash regularly.
Self-Ligating Brackets are available in both metal and clear options and treat most of the same conditions that traditional braces do, including crooked teeth, spaces or gaps, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overlapping teeth.
Look for a Provider That Offers Lingual Braces
Lingual braces, which are located on the backsides of the teeth, offer a discreet way to treat common dental problems. They can correct crooked, crowded, and misaligned teeth. However, they may take longer to fix than conventional braces.
They can be difficult to keep clean, since food particles tend to get stuck between the brackets and wires. To avoid this problem, you should brush after every meal and floss daily to remove any trapped food.
You should also use a water flosser to remove food from hard-to-reach places. Some people develop a lisp or have trouble producing certain sounds while wearing lingual braces, but this is usually temporary.
Look for a Provider That Offers Accelerated Orthodontics
For patients who are unable to commit to a long orthodontic treatment process, accelerated braces may be a good option. These methods can help align teeth faster by using techniques like micro-osteoperforations and low-level laser therapy to stimulate bone regeneration and accelerate tooth movement.
Accelerated orthodontics are especially popular among adult patients who want to straighten their smile before an important event or career milestone. These methods can also be effective for people who have had relapse in their orthodontic treatment.
Moreover, this method can reduce the overall treatment time by up to 50%. This means less time wearing braces and fewer office visits.
Look for a Provider That Offers Emergency Care
Misaligned teeth can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and jaw pain. Braces are an effective treatment for these issues and can improve your confidence in your smile. However, it is important to choose the right type of braces for your needs.
Traditional metal braces use low-force archwires to align and correct teeth. The wires are held in place by small, colored ligatures that need to be replaced each month.
For a more discreet treatment option, consider ceramic braces that blend in with your teeth. These are also more comfortable than traditional braces and are a good choice for adults.