All orthodontic appliances work essentially the same way: by employing light, constant force to move teeth into proper alignment. But how we apply these forces can vary, as numerous innovations have become available in recent years. Some of the newer, less visible orthodontic appliances have been designed to blend more easily into an adult's personal and professional lifestyle. Types of orthodontic appliances include:
Traditional Metal Braces
This is probably what you think of when you picture someone wearing braces: small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth. A thin wire runs through the brackets and is attached on either end to metal bands that go around a back molar. In some cases we can avoid using appliances and expanders by using specialized metal brackets that have special "doors" instead of the traditional colored rubber bands.
Invisalign
As an alternative to the fixed type of orthodontic braces mentioned above, clear aligners are removable. They are actually a series of clear plastic “trays” that fit over your teeth exactly. Each tray is part of a series of trays that move your teeth a little bit at a time until they are in the proper position. These trays are worn at all times (except when eating) and are changed on a set schedule. Your trays are designed with the help of specialized computer software that generates a virtual model of your bite. Invisalign is extremely effeciant and can be a great option for some, though not all people are able to use Invisalign due the the inability of Invisalign to help with orthopedic issues. We also have the ability to offer Accelerated Invisalign using the Propel system.
