Millions of people around the world wear braces to correct their teeth. Teeth that are crooked can be difficult to clean and may lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Teeth that are not straight can also cause problems with biting and chewing. Orthodontic braces can correct these problems and improve the overall appearance of your smile. Braces also often improve speech problems. Orthodontic braces are used to correct a wide variety of dental problems, such as crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites. They can also be used to correct minor jaw problems.

Invisalign® is a series of clear braces that are designed to gradually straighten teeth. With Invisalign®, patients no longer need bands, brackets, wire, braces or porcelain veneers to fix crooked teeth or gaps in the mouth. The aligners are made of smooth, comfortable and nearly invisible plastic that fits over the teeth. Each set of aligners will be worn for about two weeks before being replaced with a new one so you can continue to progress towards your desired smile.

The teeth sit securely in the jawbone by the periodontal ligament, a series of connective tissues. When your smile is realigned and the teeth are moved, it can take up to a few months for the ligament to adjust. In order to keep your new smile in place it’s important to wear your retainer as instructed.

We’re excited to offer our patients LightForce braces! For years, orthodontists have been using mass-produced braces with a general design that was used for every patient. LightForce’s 3D printed braces are entirely customized to fit your unique smile.

Effective orthodontic treatment relies on the use of braces and other orthodontic appliances. Depending on your particular circumstance, Dr. Herrington may also recommend the use of functional appliances to help correct more complicated bite problems. Functional appliances naturally guide the bite into better alignment through the forces such as muscle activity and growth of the jaw. Function appliances include the TAD expander, jaw expanders, palatal expanders, CS-2000 springs and the Herbst appliance.

At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It is common to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on, or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. Luckily for you, true orthodontic emergencies are rare. If you think you are experiencing an emergency, however, it is important to ask yourself the following question to determine what to do: Is it an urgent situation that requires attention as soon as possible or is it a minor problem that you you can live with or temporary fix yourself until you are able to schedule an appointment?

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first check-up with an orthodontist as soon as an orthodontic problem is detected and no later than age 7 even if there does not seem to be any problems. At this age children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. There are some specific orthodontic problems that require early intervention and correction. The goal is to intercept problems early before they become more serious. Not all children need early orthodontic treatment, but only an orthodontist can tell you for sure.