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Besides improving the look of your smile, you can also improve your overall oral health with orthodontic treatment. Misaligned teeth can limit your ability to thoroughly brush and floss, but with straighter teeth, it’s possible to improve your oral health. Keep reading to learn how you can benefit from braces in Midland Park.
How Can I Get Braces?
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment to improve the look of your smile, contacting our office for an initial consultation with our braces dentist is the first step to take. When it comes to achieving the smile you’ve always wanted, you can trust our team of professionals to care for your smile. Schedule your appointment today to begin the process of straightening your smile.
How Are Braces Put On Teeth?
Although they’re different in appearance, the steps involved for receiving braces is exactly the same for both metal and ceramic. For the first step, the dentist or orthodontist will clean your teeth, ensuring that they’re completely dry afterward. Then, an adhesive called bonding cement is applied to each tooth, and the brackets are attached to the center of each tooth. You can expect the bonding cement to taste unpleasant, but it’s completely non-toxic. Finally, archwires are carefully placed into each bracket, which are held into place by small elastics.
The process is similar for the invisible form called lingual braces, with the primary difference being the brackets and wires are attached to the back of your teeth. If you’re receiving this option, your total treatment time may take longer compared to receiving the ceramic or metal types. The other type of invisible braces uses clear aligner trays, and that process will involve the dentist taking a mold of your teeth to use for the trays.
Are There Different Types of Braces?
If you’ve been considering braces in Midland Park to improve your smile, there are many different types available. Metal braces are one of the most popular types, and these involve attaching metal brackets and wires to the surface of each tooth. There are also ceramic braces, which use tooth-colored brackets and wire to make them less noticeable in comparison to metal.
There are two types of invisible braces available. One type consists of brackets and wires that are placed on the back of teeth, making them the least visible compared to ceramic and metal. The other type uses a series of clear aligner trays that gently move your teeth into their correct position over time. The aligner trays can be removed whenever you’re eating or drinking. To learn more about the different options available for straightening your teeth, contact us today to make an appointment.
How Much Do Braces Cost?
The price for braces will vary for each patient and depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your case, your dental insurance coverage, and the specific treatment you receive. We may have payment options or financing options available in our office, and you can also ask your insurance provider if treatment is covered. Your dentist or orthodontist can provide you with an estimate after discussing your treatment plan. Get in touch with us today to make an appointment.
How Long Will It Take to Get Braces Put On?
The entire length of the procedure can take up to two hours. Although your dentist will keep you comfortable during the procedure, it’s normal to experience sore teeth and gums after getting braces. Pain and discomfort can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication, and it should improve within a week. To prevent additional pain from the pressure of chewing, you can consume soft foods until you adjust to orthodontic treatment. If pain and soreness worsens or doesn’t improve after a week, please call our office. Most patients can expect to receive orthodontic treatment for one to two years.
What About Wearing a Retainer After Braces?
Once you’re no longer wearing braces, your teeth need time to adjust to their new position. For this reason, we recommend retainers for most patients. This device is usually worn at night to prevent your teeth from moving out of position.
We’ll take impressions of your mouth after braces which are used to design a custom retainer that fits the shape of your mouth exactly. While some patients only need to wear their retainer for a few years, others may need to wear a retainer permanently. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about how long you need to wear a retainer.
Getting your braces removed is typically done in one appointment, and the process takes about an hour. During this time, your dentist or orthodontist clips off the brackets and cleans and polishes your teeth to remove any remaining glue. While this process isn’t usually painful, some patients may feel minor pressure when the brackets are removed. If you’re interested in getting braces in Midland Park, give us a call today to book your appointment.