Clear aligners handle most cases, but not all. Significant rotations, substantial vertical movement, and complex bite corrections are more predictable with fixed appliances. Braces also do not depend on a patient remembering to wear them.

Treatment planning starts with a digital scan, and cone-beam CT imaging where the case calls for three-dimensional evaluation. You see the plan before committing to it.

Question 2

How is treatment planned?

Accepted Answer

With a digital scan, and cone-beam CT imaging where the case calls for three-dimensional evaluation of roots, bone, and jaw relationships. You see the plan before committing to it. Planning this way means the intended endpoint is defined at the start rather than worked out as treatment goes along.

Question 3

How long does treatment take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how far the teeth have to move and what the bite requires. Minor corrections are considerably shorter than comprehensive cases. You are given a projected timeline as part of your treatment plan, before you commit to anything.

Question 4

Do braces hurt?

Accepted Answer

Placement itself is not painful. Expect soreness for a few days afterward, and again for a day or two following each adjustment, which is the teeth responding as intended. Brackets and wires can also irritate the cheeks and lips in the first couple of weeks until the tissue toughens up; wax helps in the meantime.

Question 5

Am I too old for braces?

Accepted Answer

No. Teeth move at any age, and adult orthodontic treatment is common. What differs in adults is that gum health and existing dental work have to be accounted for in the plan, and treatment can take somewhat longer. Bone loss from untreated gum disease does need to be addressed first.

Question 6

What foods do I have to avoid?

Accepted Answer

Hard and sticky foods are the main problem: ice, hard candy, nuts, popcorn kernels, caramel, and chewing gum. Cut apples, carrots, and corn off the cob rather than biting into them. Broken brackets from food are the most common cause of treatment running longer than planned.

Question 7

How do I keep my teeth clean with braces?

Accepted Answer

Brush after every meal, use a floss threader or interdental brushes to get around the wire, and consider a water flosser. Braces trap plaque, and the two things that show up when hygiene slips are decay around the brackets and permanent white marks on the enamel. This is the part of treatment that is entirely in your hands.

Question 8

How often are adjustment appointments?

Accepted Answer

Typically every several weeks through active treatment, with the exact interval depending on what stage you are in. These visits are where the actual tooth movement gets directed, so missed appointments extend treatment. Your schedule is set out with your treatment plan.

Question 9

What if a bracket or wire comes loose?

Accepted Answer

Call the office. A loose bracket is not an emergency but should be repaired promptly, since a bracket that is not attached is not moving that tooth. If a wire is poking, cover the end with orthodontic wax and avoid cutting or bending it yourself.

Question 10

Will I need a retainer afterward?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is not optional. Teeth drift back toward their original positions, and retention is what makes the result permanent. Retainers are made here from a digital scan at the end of treatment.

Traditional Braces

What this includes:

Frequently Asked Questions