Heading Back to School with Braces and Confidence

August 1, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

While the summer fun isn’t over quite yet, it is time to start thinking about getting back into the routine of the school year. If you have pre-teens or teenagers, or if you are a college student getting ready to head back for another year, it can be a bit nerve wracking thinking about going back to school with braces. Luckily, you have plenty of reasons to feel confident about walking through your school doors while your going through orthodontic treatment. 

Getting Past the Nerves

Many people in school highly value the views of their peers, with many going to great lengths to gain approval. While many kids think having braces will be embarrassing, the fact of the matter is having braces isn’t viewed the way it used to be. In the old days, braces weren’t nearly as common and kids that had to get braces were often stuck with very bulky metal braces. Today, braces are much more common and far more subtle than they used to be, and you rarely hear kids bullying others because of their braces. 

In fact, modern options for orthodontic treatment can even make you feel excited to head back to school and show off your smile before your treatment is even over. When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free consultation, be sure to ask about these fun options for braces. 

WildSmiles

Many tweens and teens go into their treatment with braces thinking they are simply going to have to tolerate them. However, your kids can find ways to have fun with their braces, and the options available with WildSmiles are proof of that. These fun braces work just as well as traditional braces but come in a wide variety of stylish shapes, including sports balls, diamonds, and stars. Your kids can mix and match their favorite designs when they get adjustments for different events or if they just feel like switching things up. 

Colored Bands

Each set of braces comes with elastic bands called ligatures, which connect the different parts of your braces together. Your kids can choose bright colors for their ligatures based on their favorite colors, teams, or for different seasons. There are even glow-in-the-dark bands available for a spooky addition to any Halloween costume. 

Subtle Treatment Options

There are plenty of options to choose from that make orthodontic treatment less visible. Ceramic braces work the same way as traditional metal braces, but have tooth-colored, medical-grade ceramic brackets instead of metal brackets. This makes these braces much harder to see throughout the course of the treatment. 

Invisalign is hands down the most discreet treatment option thanks to aligners that are completely clear. The additional advantage to this treatment option is the aligners are also removable for limited hours during the day, allowing for removal during meals or sporting events. 

Contact Austin Orthodontics today to learn more about treatment options that are perfect for going back to school! 

Posted in Braces, Treatment for kidsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Invisalign vs. Braces: Deciding Which Is Best for You

April 23, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free assessment, Dr. Briggs and his team will gladly go over which orthodontic treatment will achieve you or your child’s desired result. Two of the most common types of orthodontic treatment are Invisalign and braces.

Braces

Still the most effective method of straightening teeth, braces have the capacity to correct some of the most severe orthodontic problems. Braces are made up of brackets adhered to your teeth using dental adhesive. In self-ligating braces, which are used at Austin Orthodontics, archwires are attached to the brackets with little gates and apply corrective pressure to the teeth.

Many patients immediately think of silver, square brackets when they hear the word “braces,” but there are more options today. If patients want their treatment to be less noticeable, they can choose clear, ceramic braces, which work the same as metal braces and can tackle the same issues. Kids and teens can express their personality and sense of style with WildSmiles braces, which offer brackets in several fun shapes.

When it comes to braces, even with the technological advances that have been made, there are still some drawbacks. Your smile will look different over the course of your treatment and you will need to get used to some mild discomfort. You will also need to be careful when choosing what foods to eat and during brushing and flossing.

However, braces are hands down the most affordable option for getting a straight smile and they are the most effective way to treat tough orthodontic issues.

Invisalign

The Invisalign clear aligner system stands out among other types of orthodontic treatment because they don’t stand out when placed on your teeth. The aligners are invisible and removable, allowing you to have an uncluttered smile and zero restrictions on the types of food you can eat during your treatment. Just remember to take your aligners out and put them in a safe place if you are eating or drinking anything other than cold water.

Many people who want to maintain a mature, professional appearance prefer this option since the aligners are undetectable unless inspected up close. Couples approaching their wedding day may prefer this option since they can look at their best on their big day and look back at photos of themselves with clear smiles. Teens can also take advantage of this type of treatment with Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign is effective for mild to moderate types of orthodontic adjustments, including some malocclusions. More severe crossbites, overbites, or underbites, along with large gaps and significant rotations, may require braces.

Some patients prefer the consistency and security of having braces on their teeth, while others may value the freedom Invisalign offers and feel confident in their ability to keep track of their aligners. The experts at Austin Orthodontics can discuss the options available and help you choose the best solution for you or your child.  

Posted in Braces, InvisalignTagged , , , ,

Comparing Different Types of Braces

Austin Orthodontics

Before visiting Austin Orthodontics for a free consultation, you may be under the impression that there is only one type of braces for you to choose. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are more options than ever to get a beautiful, straight smile you will be happy to show off. Here are the types of braces we offer.

Self-Ligating Braces

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? Most people picture silver braces with brackets and wires when they think about orthodontic treatment. This tried-and-true method of straightening teeth has been used for decades to straighten people’s smiles and to fix jaw issues.

Self-ligating braces use the same bracket-and-wire approach, but instead of using elastic bands to attach the archwire, each bracket has a small gate that holds the wire in place. The elimination of the bands definitely has benefits, including a sleeker, less-cluttered smile and the increased ease of brushing and flossing. Patients have also experienced less discomfort compared to regular braces because the gate on each bracket allows more freedom to move than elastic bands do.

During the course of treatment, your orthodontist will adjust your braces during your visits to start the next correction phase. These adjustments with self-ligating braces often take less time than with traditional braces because it is faster to open the gate on each bracket to change or reposition the archwire than to remove and replace elastic bands.

Clear Braces

While metal braces are smaller and more discreet than they were in the past, they still are the most visible form of braces. An alternative to metal braces that delivers excellent results is clear braces. By replacing the metal brackets with a clear material, typically porcelain or ceramic, the braces are far less noticeable and result in a less cluttered smile. This can be a great option for people who are in college or who are trying to advance their careers but still want to correct their smile.  

At Austin Orthodontics, our clear braces are also self-ligating, which means your braces are even less noticeable since they do not require elastic bands on each bracket.

WildSmiles

While older teens and adults are often looking for ways to make their orthodontic treatment less noticeable, many younger teens and tweens embrace their braces (pun intended) and incorporate them as part of their personal style. WildSmiles, available here at Austin Orthodontics, gives kids the ability to add fun-shaped brackets to their smiles. They still get great results since the braces are just as effective as traditional braces, but instead of only sticking to the plain bracket shape, they can express their personality by choosing from various sports ball shapes, flowers, stars, and more!

Contact Dr. Briggs and the team at  Austin Orthodontics today to learn more about these great options for braces. We offer free initial consultations so you can determine what type of treatment would work best and if we are the right fit for you.

Posted in BracesTagged , , , ,