As recently as 20 years ago, your only teeth straightening option was traditional metal braces. You know, the system of metal wires, brackets, and rubber bands.
Today, however, your possible choices at Smiles by Dr. W and Dr. R include:
- less conspicuous versions of braces, including clear ceramic braces and lingual braces
- Invisalign, which uses clear plastic aligners instead of metal and wires to move your teeth into place
- suresmile®, a system that uses robotics to straighten teeth in a shorter amount of time than conventional braces
We offer all of these solutions in our Boca Raton, FL orthodontist office. The best way to determine which teeth straightening option will best suit your needs is a complimentary consultation with Dr. Peter Wohlgemuth or Dr. Ira Rothstein.
Among the factors they’ll review with you during your consultation:
- Your age
- Whether your jaw is still growing
- Condition of your teeth and gums
- Alignment of your bite
- Your lifestyle
- Your budget
To schedule your complimentary orthodontics consultation, call Smiles by Dr. W and Dr. R at 561-327-6775. In the meantime, though, we’ve discussed some of the questions you’ll want to consider as you select a teeth straightening option.
What Orthodontic Issues Do I Need to Address?
Braces typically are more effective than Invisalign for certain types of orthodontic treatment. The more complex the required treatment, the more likely we are to suggest braces. We typically don’t suggest Invisalign if we need to move teeth vertically or rotate canine or premolar teeth.
How Old Am I?
We sometimes recommend braces for young children, even ones whose jaws may still be growing and who lack all of their primary (permanent) teeth. Your child should see us for their first orthodontic examination by age 7.
Certain orthodontic issues may require a two-phase treatment in which we focus first on developing the proper jaw size to accommodate their teeth and create a well-aligned bite, and then on straightening their teeth. With this type of treatment, we’re often addressing issues such as crossbite or severe crowding that will likely respond better to braces than to Invisalign.
How Important Is Appearance?
Many older teens and adults are more concerned about their appearance than younger children are. It’s no wonder, as they are more actively involved than kids in dating, work, and other situations where their smile is on full display, often to people who don’t know them well. A first impression seems especially crucial during a job interview or when creating an online dating profile.
For this reason, we often suggest:
- Invisalign. Aligners are made of clear, BPA-free plastic, so they are far less conspicuous than braces. And the aligners are removable, so you can actually take them out for special occasions such as an interview or first date.
- Clear ceramic braces. These braces are less noticeable than traditional metal braces because their wires and brackets are made of clear and/or tooth-colored materials that blend in better with your smile.
- Lingual braces. These braces are completely invisible because we attach them to the back surfaces of your teeth rather than the visible front surfaces.
How Are My Oral Hygiene Habits?
It’s easier to practice good oral hygiene with Invisalign. That’s because you can remove your aligners when eating or drinking fluids other than water. You won’t have to worry about food becoming stuck in your braces with this teeth straightening option, and you can brush and floss your teeth before re-inserting your aligners.
It’s important to avoid problematic crunchy and sticky foods when wearing braces and to be even more diligent about oral hygiene. It’s even more important with ceramic braces, as they are more prone to damage than traditional metal braces.
An oral hygiene habit that is important with Invisalign is wearing your aligners for the recommended time of at least 22 hours a day. If you don’t, you risk lengthening your treatment time. So if you lack self-discipline, Invisalign may not be the best teeth straightening option for you.
Is Length of Treatment Important to Me?
Most people want to complete their orthodontic treatment as quickly as they can. We definitely understand that! Individual treatment time will vary, no matter which teeth straightening option you choose. But in general, Invisalign treatment is quicker. Average Invisalign treatment for an adult is 12 months, compared to 18 months or more for braces.
One way to speed treatment time with braces is by using suresmile® technology. Our Boca Raton, FL orthodontists use sophisticated software to create your treatment plan, then robotics technology is used to create your braces. A robot is more precise than a human, which means treatment is completed more efficiently.
Not only that, but your braces are made of nickel and titanium. Often called “smart wire,” it works with your body heat to exert gradual force on your teeth. The result of all these advances is fewer adjustments during your treatment and a treatment time that is 33 percent shorter, on average, than treatment with conventional braces.
Our Boca Raton, FL orthodontists are happy to help you choose a teeth straightening option. Call Smiles by Dr. W and Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or use our online form to schedule a complimentary consultation.
