Up to 4 million teenagers and adults wear braces to improve their jaw and teeth symmetry. At AppleTree Dental in Anaheim, California, Mike Kang, DDS, and his dedicated team provide orthodontic treatment with several types of braces, including traditional metal and clear (ceramic) braces. To make an appointment for you or your child to get clear aligners, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Braces are custom orthodontic appliances that your AppleTree Dental provider bonds to the front of your permanent teeth. After placement, the braces put mild pressure on your jaw and teeth, slowly moving them into the optimal positions.
Many people think braces are for teens, but thanks to advances in treatment, a growing number of adults are getting them too.
AppleTree Dental uses braces to treat various alignment issues, including:
You might also benefit from orthodontic treatment with braces if you worry about how your teeth appear when you smile.
At AppleTree Dental, patients can choose from different options for their braces, including:
Metal braces have metal brackets, archwires, and rubber bands. Your provider bonds the brackets to the front of your permanent teeth. Then, they thread the archwires through the brackets.
The archwires and rubber bands place pressure on your jaw and teeth, which will gradually align your teeth and jaw.
Ceramic braces are like metal braces, but the brackets are made of ceramic instead of metal. Ceramic looks like your natural tooth enamel, so the braces blend in with your smile. This allows for a more discreet form of orthodontic treatment.
At AppleTree Dental, getting braces typically takes 90 minutes or less.
Before recommending orthodontics, your provider reviews your dental records, asks about your smile goals, and completes an oral exam. They also take digital X-rays, checking your teeth and jaw alignment.
Next, your provider numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic. Then, they bond the metal or ceramic brackets to your teeth, thread the archwires, and connect the rubber bands. Lastly, your provider checks your bite, answers any questions you have, and provides care instructions.
During the whole treatment process, you visit AppleTree Dental every few weeks. Your provider monitors your progress at each visit and adjusts your braces as necessary.
Treatment with braces takes between 12-18 months* on average, but it may take longer, depending on your age, oral health history, and the alignment problems addressed. Be patient, follow your provider’s instructions, and attend each of your checkups.
To see if braces can help enhance your smile, call AppleTree Dental or schedule an appointment online today.
*Individual results may vary