Braces for a Healthier Bite
Braces are a highly versatile orthodontic treatment option used to correct many different types of orthodontic issues, ranging from moderate to complex, for children, teens and adults of all ages.
Today's braces also come in a number of options that provide a cleaner, lower profile look for those with aesthetic concerns including LightForce™ 3D custom braces.
Conventional braces are a time-tested method that orthodontists have used for decades to align smiles and straighten teeth. These braces are made up of three basic elements: brackets, a flexible arch wire, and sometimes elastic bands.
The brackets are fixed to the fronts of the teeth and hold the arch wire in place. The arch wire places pressure on the teeth, moving them into the desired positions. Elastic bands can be used to apply more force in specific directions.
Types of Braces at Waldman Orthodontics
Your smile is unique and you should be too! We carefully consider your individual needs, orthodontic goals, and aesthetic preferences to recommend the best treatment option for you. From subtle to bold, we offer a variety of braces to fit your lifestyle and help you achieve your best smile. Here’s a look at what we offer:
LightForce™ 3D Braces
LightForce braces offer a personalized, faster, and more efficient orthodontic experience. Using a digital scan and 3D-printed brackets custom-made for your smile, Dr. Waldman designs a treatment plan tailored to your unique tooth shape and facial structure.
The custom fit allows teeth to move more precisely and quickly. With fewer office visits and a streamlined process, you can enjoy more time doing what you love. It’s a modern approach to braces that delivers precision, comfort, and outstanding results.
Living with Braces
Braces are an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile! While there may be a short adjustment period, most patients quickly adapt with just a few simple changes to their daily routine. Here are some helpful tips to make the transition smooth and keep your treatment on track.
Adjustments
Adjustments are a crucial component of orthodontic treatment with braces. Visiting our office to have your braces adjusted will help keep teeth moving in line with your treatment plan.
You may feel some discomfort in the hours or days after your adjustment appointments as your mouth adjusts. This discomfort is temporary.
Elastics
Elastics, also called rubber bands, are often used with braces to apply additional force to certain areas of your mouth to guide tooth movement. While they are a key part of many treatment plans, elastics do not maintain their strength for long and will need to be changed out at least twice a day. Many of our patients find that making it a habit to change their elastics after each meal makes it easier to remember.
Always follow your orthodontist's instructions regarding your elastics. Contact our office if you find that your elastics break frequently, or if the hook for your elastics breaks off.
Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is more important than ever when you have braces. Braces create all sorts of small spaces and crevices where plaque can build up, leading to tooth discoloration, decay, and gum disease.
To keep your teeth and gums healthy during your braces treatment, be sure to brush after each meal using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. A Proxabrush® is a specially shaped toothbrush designed to clean out the spaces between braces. You can also use a Waterpik™ or air flosser to help flush out stubborn food particles.
It is important to floss frequently. Luckily, this is easier than you might expect. You can just feed the floss down through the space between the arch wire and your teeth. Pull the end gently towards the back of the tooth and draw the floss up and down between the teeth.
Eating
Unfortunately, there are some limitations to your diet when you're undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces.
Foods that you'll need to avoid include chewy or sticky foods (like caramel or liquorice), hard or crunchy foods (hard candies, nuts, or whole raw vegetables), and foods you have to bite into (like corn on the cob or apples). You'll also need to avoid sugary drinks.
Cutting food into small pieces and chewing slowly will allow you to enjoy more variety during your treatment, but always defer to your orthodontist's recommendations.
Mouth Guards
If you're an athlete, there's no reason for braces to stop you from playing the sports you love. But if you want to continue getting out on the field, court, or rink during your treatment, we recommend wearing a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, your mouth, and the braces themselves from damage.
Retainers
After your orthodontic treatment is complete, you'll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new, straightened positions.
Dr. Waldman will provide instructions on how many hours per day you need to wear your retainers.
Questions About Braces? We've Got Answers.
If you're considering orthodontic treatment with braces, you likely have some questions. Get started by reading our braces FAQs to learn more about how they work, and their benefits.
-
Who is a candidate for braces?
Most children, teens and adults with healthy teeth and gums are generally considered good candidates for braces. However, certain people with significant recession or oral health conditions may not be candidates.
Braces come in a variety of styles and can address a wide range of moderate to complex orthodontic issues, so there are very few limits to who can benefit from braces.
-
What are my options for low-profile braces?
LightForce Braces are a low-profile option available at Waldman Orthodontics.
Clear aligners are also an option for low-profile orthodontic treatment. At Waldman Orthodontics, we offer both Angel Aligners™ and Invisalign®.
-
How long will I need to wear braces?
The average treatment time for braces is 12 to 24 months, but this can vary significantly from patient to patient. The duration of your orthodontic treatment depends primarily on the type and severity of your misalignment. Mild or moderate cases are faster to treat than more complex ones.
-
How long until I get used to my braces?
You'll probably need a week or two to become fully accustomed to your braces after your first get them. You may find it hard to resist poking them with your tongue as you get used to how the wires and brackets feel.
You may also notice that certain areas of your mouth rub against the braces and get sore. Orthodontic wax can be placed on the braces in these areas to help create a smoother surface with less friction as your mouth adjusts. Again, this discomfort is temporary, and after a couple of weeks, your mouth will likely feel normal again.
-
Do braces hurt?
You will almost certainly experience some discomfort at different points of your orthodontic treatment with braces. However, any pain you feel during your braces treatment is temporary, and usually resolves over a few days, or even hours.
The most discomfort from braces usually happens a week or so after you first get them and also for a few hours after each adjustment appointment as the teeth begin to shift. Patients have described it as a sensation of pressure or an ache. This type of pain is usually easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers until it has passed.
Another type of temporary discomfort you may experience during your braces treatment is when the brackets rub against the inside of your mouth. This can also happen when you get your braces and after adjustment appointments. To mitigate this, orthodontic wax can be applied to the braces in the areas where the rubbing is occurring to create a smoother surface against the inside of your mouth. Painkillers can also be used to manage this discomfort until it passes.
-
Can adults get braces?
Yes, adults can get braces! More and more adults these days are choosing to have orthodontic treatment that they may have missed out on when they were kids. They're doing this in hopes to improve their oral health and the appearance of their smiles.
-
Can kids get braces?
Yes, children as young as seven years old can be candidates for braces. At the age of seven, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. This makes it easier for us to be able to assess your child’s teeth and, most importantly, identify any signs of impending orthodontic problems.
With all that being said, we take a very conservative approach to braces for children, and only prescribe them when there is a serious risk of future orthodontic problems.
-
Do I have to brush more with braces?
Yes, brushing your teeth after each meal and brushing regularly throughout your braces treatment is a good idea.
Oral hygiene becomes more important than ever while you're wearing braces. Braces in your mouth introduce a multitude of tiny crevices, nooks, and crannies that were not there before. It's very easy for food particles to get caught in these tiny spaces, making them a breeding ground for bacteria.
To avoid developing cavities, tooth discoloration and bad breath, extra vigilance with your oral hygiene is essential.
-
How do I floss with braces?
Flossing with braces may seem complicated, but it's fairly straightforward once you get the hang of it!
To floss your teeth with braces, feed the floss down through the space between the arch wire and your teeth. We supply floss threaders for our patients to make this easier. Pull the end of the floss gently towards the back of the tooth and draw the floss up and down between the teeth. Then repeat this process between each pair of teeth.
-
What can I eat while I'm wearing braces?
Eating with braces requires some extra care, but you should still be able to eat many of the foods you love.
You'll need to avoid hard, crunchy, or overly sticky/tacky foods. In general, it's important to chew carefully while wearing braces and take your time. Avoid biting into foods like apples or corn on the cob and avoid chewing gum completely.
You can generally continue eating your normal diet, with a few modifications.
-
Can I still play contact sports if I wear braces?
For most sports, you should be able to keep playing with no problem. If you want to continue getting out on the field, court or rink during your treatment, we recommend wearing a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, mouth, and braces from damage.
We generally recommend avoiding any sports that involve direct blows to the face as a matter of routine while wearing braces. Even with a mouth guard, sports like boxing are not advisable.
Other contact sports, like football or rugby, may be possible if you wear a mouth guard, but we advise extreme caution in these cases as well.
-
Braces vs Clear Aligners: How do I choose which is best for me?
Braces and clear aligners are both effective orthodontic treatment options, but there are differences between them that may affect their suitability for different individuals.
Factors to consider when choosing between braces and clear aligners include your personal preferences and lifestyle, aesthetics, and the nature and severity of your misalignment. You can learn more here.
Dr. Waldman will assess your specific case and recommend the best treatment option for your needs.