Traditional Braces – Lake Zurich, IL
Proven Treatment for Complex Orthodontic Problems
Although other kinds of orthodontic treatment have become popular in recent years, traditional braces continue to be a reliable, time-tested option for realigning crooked teeth and correcting bites. Children and adults alike can benefit from these brackets and wires to achieve straighter smiles, which make cleaning easier and improve speech and chewing. Our in-house orthodontist at Grand Dental – Lake Zurich can personally help patients overcome their orthodontic issues by overseeing their treatment from beginning to end. Are you interested in learning how braces could be the best path toward a healthier, straight smile? Call us to schedule a consultation today.
Why Choose Grand Dental – Aurora for Traditional Braces?
- Experienced In-House Orthodontist
- Patients of All Ages Welcome
- Reliable, Effective Orthodontic Options
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
Your teeth are attached to the jaw bone through small fiber-like tissues, which enable the teeth to have some degree of mobility. Metal brackets and wires can be attached to the teeth and apply slight, sustained pressure. Over time, this pressure causes the teeth to move slowly to a better position. About every 4 to 6 weeks, we need to adjust the wiring so that the braces keep exerting the precise and necessary force.
Treatment with traditional braces typically takes between 18 months and three years. The type and complexity of corrections will affect this timeline, and during your consultation with us, we can give you a more specific estimate. Regardless of how long it takes even for complicated cases, our orthodontist is fully prepared to manage your treatment and give you a perfectly aligned smile.
What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?
Unlike clear aligners, traditional braces are known for their ability to correct many common orthodontic problems, even severe ones. Here are some examples of situations that may necessitate traditional braces:
Bite Misalignment
In addition to complicating eating, an uneven bite may cause excessive enamel wear for certain teeth and other oral health issues. Whether you have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or another jaw alignment problem, braces can resolve it.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
On top of the aesthetic issues that come with crooked and crowded teeth, you may struggle with brushing and flossing as effectively as you should. After straightening your teeth with braces, you should have an easier time maintaining good oral hygiene.
Gapped Teeth
In most cases, patients don’t like too much space being visible between the teeth. Braces can close any unsightly gaps.
Caring for Your Braces
It is especially crucial to keep your teeth free of cavities and gum disease while you have braces because these issues can interfere with the orthodontic process. To help your smile stay in excellent condition, our in-house orthodontist can advise you on how to brush effectively with braces and clean around the wires.
In addition, you should take necessary steps to protect braces from physical damage by avoiding hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that might break the brackets or wires. Also, if you participate in sports, we recommend getting a customized mouthguard to accommodate your braces and absorb a hit to the face.
With straight teeth, you can create a smile lasting a lifetime through braces! Let Grand Dental – Lake Zurich’s orthodontic team lead the way and schedule a consultation today.
Traditional Braces FAQs
How long do traditional braces take?
The average timeframe for traditional braces is 1-3 years; however, the length of time is different for each patient. Our in-house orthodontist will provide a clearer timeline during the consultation phase of treatment.
It’s worth noting that different factors play a role in how long an individual will wear traditional braces, such as:
- Age – Children and teenagers may not have to wear braces as long as adults because their teeth and jawbone are not fully set.
- Severity of Alignment – The more distance teeth need to move, the longer treatment will take.
- Compliance – Patients who follow treatment guidelines closely are more likely to finish sooner. However, if teeth are not moving as quickly as expected, or a person neglects to wear their rubber bands, this can prolong the treatment time.
Can you drink coffee with traditional braces?
Yes, it is possible to drink coffee while wearing traditional braces, but it’s important to remember that teeth and brackets can stain, so limiting one’s consumption is essential. Should teeth become stained throughout treatment, they may appear splotchy once braces are removed.
To avoid any kind of discoloration, it’s best to sip coffee through a straw so that it doesn’t come into direct contact with teeth. Also, patients should make sure to brush and floss after consuming a cup of coffee; however, they should wait 20 minutes to avoid spreading the tannins and bacteria. If this is not possible, rinsing with water can minimize the effects of staining.
Can you whiten your teeth while wearing braces?
Whitening one’s teeth while wearing braces is not a good idea because the whitening solution can cause uneven shading. Its inability to target areas covered by brackets or those teeth that are shifting can be problematic, so instead, dentists and orthodontists recommend that patients wait until after treatment is complete.
While wearing braces, patients can use whitening toothpaste and mouthwash to remove minimal surface stains.
Can I get traditional braces on just my top or bottom teeth?
Having traditional braces placed on just the top or bottom row of teeth might seem like a more convenient and cost-effective option; however, it’s unlikely that a dentist or orthodontist will recommend it. The reason is that braces are made to move both arches so that they align correctly. Only treating one arch can cause more harm than good.
For example, if crowding is the issue, braces will help straighten teeth and move them forward. Braces will also close gapped teeth, resulting in them moving backward. If only one arch is treated, this can make it harder for both rows to come together properly, resulting in a more pronounced bite problem that can cause TMJ, bruxism, or difficulty eating.