Top-rated Orthodontic Services in Cary, NC – Committed to Helping You Restore Your Confidence

Braces

Traditionally braces have been made out of metal. Stainless steel is the most commonly used metal. It is sometimes combined with nickel titanium or gold if a person is allergic to nickel. The two main types of metal braces are:

Self-ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces differ from conventional braces because they have their own mechanism for connecting to the archwire and hence do not require ligatures or elastic bands. They exert less pressure on the teeth. Treatment with self-ligating braces takes less time and often tooth extraction is avoided. Self-ligating braces are glued to the teeth and therefore the teeth should be cleaned regularly for the braces to work properly.

Viazi Braces

Viazi is a trademarked system of dental braces. It uses triangular brackets and square wires instead of round wires used with traditional brackets. With Viazi braces the crown and root of the teeth are moved at the same time and comparatively less force is used which causes less pain. Viazi braces take around one year to straighten and align teeth. Conventional braces take around two years for the same treatment.

• Lingual Braces – Lingual braces are made of metal and attached behind the teeth. They are “invisible” to most people because the braces are not visible from the front view. Lingual brackets are custom-made for each patient because the back side of each patient’s teeth are differently shaped. Specially trained orthodontists provide treatment with lingual braces. Treatment with lingual braces can take longer than with conventional braces and is often more costly. At the start of treatment, the patient may experience discomfort and irritation against the tongue since the braces come in direct contact.
• Ceramic and Tooth-Colored Braces – Ceramic and tooth-colored braces are made from composite material. They are not as noticeable as metal braces and are an ideal choice for those who are concerned that the braces will affect their looks. Ceramic braces do not stain easily. The elastic ligatures may stain but these are usually replaced during your monthly visit to the dentist. These braces are more comfortable and cause lesser gum irritation as compared to metal braces. Ceramic and tooth-colored braces cannot be used for treating teeth that require a lot of force or pressure to align.
• Mini-Diamond Braces – Mini-diamond braces are made from stainless steel. Their chief advantage lies in cosmetic appeal. These braces are 30% smaller than traditional braces and hence are more comfortable to wear. They are also less visible. With mini-diamond braces you do not have to worry about a metallic smile. Orthodontists offer multi-colored ligatures to hold these braces together. The colors can be changed during each appointment with the orthodontist. This idea of using different-colored ligatures makes these braces popular with children.

Retainers

Retainers are orthodontic devices used to hold the teeth in position before or after braces are applied. Retainers are custom-made to fit with the profile of the patients mouth. Retainers are made from wire and plastic.

Three popular retainer types are Hawley, Essix, and Fixed retainers.

• Hawley retainers are used after a process to close gaps in the teeth.
• Essix retainers are transparent pieces produced from a mold; they fix over the entire arch of the teeth. These two retainer types are removable. They require daily cleaning and care.
• Fixed retainers cannot be removed and are suggested when there is a greater chance of the teeth reverting back to their old positions after treatment.

Orthodontic Disorders

Crossbite

A crossbite is an orthodontic disorder in which the top teeth rest on the inner side of the lower teeth instead of resting slightly outwards. Crossbites are more common with teeth located at the sides. Crossbites should be treated early while the jawbones are still expanding. These bones fuse at around 16 years for girls and 19 years for boys. Problems caused by crossbites include gum disease, bone loss, difficulty in chewing, jaws losing symmetry, etc. If a single tooth is affected by crossbite, the orthodontist treats it with braces. For multiple teeth, jaw expanders are used to reduce crowding between teeth.

Open bite

An open bite is a condition in which the top front teeth do not come in contact with their opposite teeth. When a person affected by this condition closes his mouth to bite, it is possible to see inside his mouth because the upper and lower front teeth do not meet. Genetics, thumb-sucking, and lisping can cause an open bite. Treatment for open bite involves surgery on the upper jaw. The patient is made to wear braces for a few months before the surgery. Typically, treatment for open bite can take between one-and-half to two years.

Overbite

Overbite is a common orthodontic condition also known as buck teeth. In this condition the top teeth overlap the lower teeth. Genetics and actions such as thumb-sucking and pencil-chewing can lead to overbite in children. When children repeatedly thrust their tongue against the back of the top teeth while swallowing, it pushes the teeth out. Children affected by overbite can hurt their protruding front teeth easily. The lower teeth may hit the root of the upper teeth when chewing.

Till the age of nine children should be treated with a functional appliance that helps the lower jaw to develop properly. After this, the child should wear braces till the lower teeth come together and the upper teeth are pushed up.

Overjet

Overjet is a condition in which the upper front teeth protrude too far ahead of the lower teeth. Overjet can happen if the molars are not properly aligned, the bones of the upper and lower jaw are not balanced, upper incisors flare and come out, lower teeth are missing, or from thumb sucking. The risks of not treating overjet include injury to the protruding front teeth, uneven jaw growth, and teeth may wear out early. In the first stage of the treatment overjet is treated with braces to align the teeth.

Coils, springs, and headgear are used in the second stage to push back the front upper teeth and push out the front lower teeth.

Underbite

In an underbite the lower front teeth extend outwards. The medical term for underbite is prognathism. An underdeveloped upper jaw and overdeveloped lower jaw are characteristic features of an underbite. It can be caused by excessive thumb sucking, nasal obstruction, and tongue thrusting. If not treated, an underbite can lead to poor functioning of the teeth and digestive problems. Underbites can be treated without surgery until the patient reached puberty; therefore an early diagnosis is critical. Orthodontists will try to modify jaw and teeth growth using headgear and braces.

Treatment done at a later stage involves teeth extraction and surgery to correct the structure of the jaws.