What are Dental Braces?
Orthodontics is a specialty discipline of dentistry that focuses on aligning the teeth and positioning them with regard to a person’s bite. Our certified orthodontist corrects and prevents irregularities of the teeth with the most advanced braces, which are dental appliances that effectively straighten teeth, correct an asymmetrical bite, close gaps between teeth, and bring the jaw into proper alignment.
Do I Need Braces as an Adult?
A common misconception is that braces are for children. They are not. Here are the signs you need braces, regardless if you are a child, teen, or full-grown adult:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Open bite
- Crossbite
- Deep overbite or underbite
- Large spacing between teeth
- Protruding upper teeth
- Face and mouth disfigurement
- Breathing problems because of your teeth size or shape
- Speech or pronunciation problems
- Biting, chewing, or swallowing issues
- Reduced or no confidence in your smile
What are the Types of Braces?
Traditional Metal Braces
The most common orthodontic treatment, traditional braces consist of high-grade stainless steel and are what people usually picture when they think of braces. During your appointments at Cunning Dental Group, we will periodically tighten your braces to apply strategic pressure, aligning your jaw as needed to straighten your teeth over time.
What Does Orthodontic Treatment Involve?
Our orthodontic treatment process involves four essential stages:
Stage 1: Planning. Your first few visits at Cunning Dental Group may include the following:
- Medical and dental history review
- Dental impressions
- Castings or molds of your teeth
- Photographs of your mouth and face
- X-rays of your teeth and jaw
Stage 2: Installation of braces. After careful planning, the application process begins. Our orthodontist will bond metal brackets onto your teeth with special adhesives to keep them in place. Then, the placement of wires and elastics allow us to redirect the teeth into proper alignment.
Stage 3: Active dental work. Ongoing treatments are necessary to reap the benefits of orthodontics. It entails visiting your dentists for adjustments every 4 to 8 weeks, or as needed. To ensure success, we will provide specific treatment requirements for you to follow.
Stage 4: Retention. Once treatment is completed, we will remove your braces and replace them with a new appliance called a retainer. Retainers are often removable and will help maintain the changes made to your teeth. We highly advise wearing them as instructed.
What are the Benefits of Wearing Braces?
While braces are intended to straighten and align your teeth, they have several other benefits, including a few that contribute to your health and wellness.
Here are the advantages of orthodontically corrected teeth:
- Easier to clean when brushing and flossing
- Higher resistance to decay, gum disease, and recession
- Decreased likelihood of tooth injury
- Reduced strain on your jaw muscles
- Improved chewing and digestion
- Virtually perfect teeth and jaw alignment
- Improved self-acceptance
- Increased confidence in your smile
Am I a Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?
You are an ideal candidate for braces in Montclair, CA if:
- Your teeth are in good general health
- You do not have active periodontal disease
- You wish to improve your dental imperfections
To find out which orthodontic treatment option is best for you, we invite you to schedule a no-pressure consultation where we can discuss your concerns, preferences, and expectations with our dentists.
Are There Foods I Can’t Eat with Braces?
Broken and loose braces will prolong treatment and could lead to poor results. When eating, you will need to protect your orthodontic appliances to prevent damage.
Here are foods to avoid with metal braces:
- Gum, caramel, and other sticky treats
- Jawbreakers and hard candies
- Nuts, pizza crusts, and all foods hard and chewy
- Ice cubes, popcorn, and anything crunchy
- Foods you have to bite into with force
- Acidic beverages, including soda
As a rule of thumb, soft foods are always easier on the hardware in your mouth.
Our Approach
We are passionate about transforming your smile as we strive to provide:
- Progressive orthodontic treatments
- Quality dental care for life
- Pain and infection prevention
- Dentistry you want to tell your friends about