Many people associate orthodontic care with teenagers in braces, but that’s not always the case. Orthodontic care can begin as early as seven years old or as “late” in life as you want! (Before we move on, we must stress that it’s never too late to get first-time treatment or retreatment.)
There are two reasons we might administer care at Foothill Orthodontics. The first reason is health motivations. Malocclusion, or the improper alignment of the teeth and bite, can make it difficult to properly clean the teeth and gums in children, teens, and adults. Bacteria and plaque left in the mouth can cause tooth decay, gum disease, infection, and even tooth loss, among other issues. Misaligned teeth and jaws also encourage teeth grinding or friction that wears away the enamel. Weakened enamel leaves the teeth vulnerable to pain, sensitivity, and decay. Poor bite alignment can make it difficult to chew, which could result in digestive issues, TMJ, and migraines. Patients suffering from one or more of the above are strongly advised to seek orthodontic treatment.
If you want orthodontic treatment because you are unhappy with your smile but don’t suffer from any health issues caused by your teeth or jaw, don’t get discouraged! Consider cosmetic orthodontics!
What Is Cosmetic Orthodontics?
Sometimes, patients seek orthodontic work when they want to improve their teeth and jaw alignment but have no related health concerns. This is cosmetic orthodontics, the second reason we administer care at Foothill Orthodontics.
Why would someone want treatment when they have seemingly no issues with their alignment? Unfortunately, your teeth’s appearance can change your quality of life in other ways besides physical health. Misaligned teeth can affect your ability to make friends, get dates, and even receive a job. These challenges can create low self-esteem caused by feeling or looking “different” from your peers, leading to isolation, depression, and anxiety.
What Cosmetic Treatment Options Do We Offer?
Foothill Orthodontics has a few treatment options available for those wanting cosmetic care. Because patients who wish for cosmetic orthodontic care are typically looking to improve their self-esteem, lifestyle, or people’s perception of them, they might also be interested in a treatment option that has a discreet appearance or makes little to no change in their daily routine. Let’s look at three orthodontic appliances and one procedure we offer at Foothill Orthodontics and how they might benefit you on your journey to a straight smile.
Invisalign
One of the more popular options right now for teeth alignment, cosmetic or otherwise, is Invisalign. This company creates removable, transparent trays known as clear aligners that straighten the teeth in as little as six months! This treatment option could be used on patients of all ages, including children who don’t have all their adult teeth.
Clear aligners are heavily admired in the orthodontic community because they offer patients freedom in treatment with a subtle appearance. The custom-made trays fit so snugly in the mouth that most people won’t even know you’re wearing them! Their removability also allows patients to eat, drink, and perform oral hygiene as if they weren’t in treatment. Though the trays must be worn for twenty-two hours a day, they can be removed for special occasions, like photographs or a big presentation.
Invisalign is an excellent choice for those seeking cosmetic treatment who have mild alignment issues and need flexibility in their treatment plan.
Clear Braces
Invisalign isn’t the best treatment option for everyone, however. There are patients who don’t want the responsibility of remembering to wear the trays. Other patients might have issues that are too complicated for Invisalign. These patients might prefer clear braces!
Despite their name, the braces are not actually clear. Where their metal counterpart uses—you guessed it—metal brackets, clear braces use tooth-colored brackets made of a polycrystalline ceramic material. This material is why they are also known as ceramic braces. When paired with tooth-colored ligatures (the elastics that hold the wire to the bracket), the appliance has the illusion of clear braces.
This aesthetic treatment option is perfect for adults and older teenagers who don’t qualify for Invisalign but don’t require the durability of metal braces.
InBrace Hidden Braces
If you don’t want or qualify for clear aligners, but the ceramic braces are still too visible for your taste, it’s okay! We have yet another option!
InBrace Hidden Braces sit behind the teeth for the utmost discretion. A bonus feature of this appliance is that you will only need to come to the office for checkups so we can ensure the wire is doing its job, letting you spend more time doing what you love and less time in our waiting room.
Does straightening your teeth with little to no discomfort and office visits sound too good to be true? It’s not! The Smartwire technology in InBraces eliminates the need for tightening appointments because the wire is preprogrammed to straighten your teeth from start to finish. The wire’s unique shape also allows patients to eat, drink, and perform oral hygiene as normal—no pesky wires or brackets in the way!
Diode Laser
The diode laser is used to remove some of the gumline, but it’s not as painful or scary as it sounds. In fact, the outpatient procedure does not take very long, and most patients can return to their daily activities the same day.
Removing a bit of the gum can increase a tooth’s functionality and make it easier to clean. It also helps with precise bracket placement, speeding up overall treatment time by giving your orthodontist more control over teeth movement.
Cosmetically, reshaping the gumline could provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance by exposing the teeth more evenly and giving patients a symmetrical smile.
Ready To Find Out Which Cosmetic Option Is Right For You?
Whether you seek orthodontic care for cosmetic results or stylish, subtle treatment options, Foothill Orthodontics has what you need for stunning results that you can be proud of.
Our orthodontists, Dr. Chandler and Dr. Anderson, are always thrilled to help answer questions and adjust alignments. We create personalized treatment plans based on orthodontic needs, goals, budgets, and lifestyles. To determine which course of action is best for you, contact us to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable team.
Everyone deserves a healthy, attractive smile that does not affect their quality of life. Begin your orthodontic journey with us today and experience the transformation for yourself.