Orthodontics 101: What You Need to Know About Straightening Your Teeth

Orthodontics (also referred to as “ortho”) is a method of dentistry that corrects the positioning of the teeth and jaw.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has advanced education and training in diagnosing and treating problems dealing with the position, alignment, and spacing of the teeth. They can also correct bites and certain orthognathic irregularities in the face and jaw. In order to treat these problems, orthodontists use braces and other oral appliances.

General and pediatric dentists get some of the same foundational training as orthodontists. Most dental professionals who aren’t orthodontists, but offer ortho, often provide their patients with a form of dental correction that uses methods such as clear aligners, standard braces, or early orthodontic intervention appliances. For a full range of orthodontic services, we invite you to visit our Austin office. We offer Invisalign clear aligners as well as conventional braces.

Braces have been used for centuries to straighten teeth and correct bite issue. Brackets are bonded to the front of the teeth and a wire runs through the brackets for the full length of the arch. Braces can also come in other designs, such as tooth colored brackets or clear aligners.

Elastic bands (which are available in your child’s favorite color) are used to help guide the teeth into their new position.

Every case is different, but the average length of treatment is 12-24 months. We can give you an estimated timeframe during your consultation.

Conventional braces can cause some soreness. The wire and brackets occasionally irritate the inside of your mouth. Wax can be helpful. Also, a bit of pressure is experienced as the teeth move, especially after a visit where an adjustment took place.

By the time your child reaches the age of seven they should have their bite assessed. Though at this point they will still have baby teeth, we can evaluate any underlying oral developmental issues. In some cases, we can more easily address certain problems while your child is very young and their facial and oral structure is still forming. Certain issues can be harder to treat the older one gets.

There are several different types of braces available. At our office in Austin, TX we can see if you or your child is a candidate for ceramic, tooth-colored braces, or lingual braces (which go on the inside of the teeth). Invisalign removable aligners are also an option.

If you’re looking for Invisalign in Austin, TX, then come see Westlake Pediatric Dentistry! Invisalign is a popular form of orthodontics that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move your teeth. They’re nearly invisible and don’t require the use of any metal, wires, or brackets.

While Invisalign clear aligners does treat a huge number of bite alignment concerns, some of the more complex issues may only treatable with traditional braces. Invisalign works great for patients with crooked teeth or slight gaps between them and it’s designed for adults and teens alike.

Invisalign Teen differs from the standard Invisalign in that the aligners come with an added “compliance indicator”. Teenagers lead busy lives and sometimes their orthodontic treatment gets put on the back burner. In order for Invisalign to work, the aligners must be worn for a certain period of time. So, the indicator shows us when each aligner has been worn long enough to do its job, and the patient can move on to wear the next pair. A few replacements are also included, for when something is misplaced at school.

Optimal wear for Invisalign clear braces is 22 hours per day. While this may seem like a lot, keep in mind that at least you can take them out as needed (eating, brushing, flossing, etc.). With conventional braces, there’s no getting away from them. Change them out every two weeks, or as directed (for teen patients, their indicator will also determine when to move to the next set.)

One of the great things about Invisalign clear aligners is that you can eat things that you normally wouldn’t be able to with conventional braces. You can enjoy gum, sticky foods, and candy. Even hard foods like carrots and peanut brittle. But the trays should be removed before eating. And you should brush your teeth before placing them back in.

Orthodontic therapy is quite a commitment. It requires a lot of time, dedication, and of course a financial investment. In order to ensure that your new smile lasts a lifetime, you’ll need to undergo some form of maintenance regimen. Our orthodontist in Austin, TX prefers to use Vivera Retainers to hold teeth in place. These are a set of clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth much like the Invisalign aligners. Wearing them while you sleep will help preserve the outcome of your ortho treatment.