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Different Types Of Orthodontic Treatments

Different Types Of Orthodontic Treatments

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Orthodontic Treatment Options at our Plymouth, MN Dental Clinic

Orthodontic dentistry in the 2020s lets you choose a braces treatment that doesn’t rely on wires or metal brackets like we have seen for years. Rather, you can enjoy creating your perfect smile with a treatment that is virtually pain-free.

You don’t need to dramatically change your current lifestyle or what you love to eat in the process. There are so many types of orthodontic treatments available in Plymouth than just getting metal braces. Find out which kind might work best with your lifestyle.

You certainly have a lot more choices when it comes to getting braces today than you did decades ago. Now, children, teens, and adults can enjoy an orthodontic treatment that is less visible and more comfortable than ever before. Find out more about the different orthodontic treatments our Plymouth, MN dentists in the Twin Cities — Dr. Corey Jensen, Dr. Brett Moore, and Dr. Jennifer Bertranfd have to offer.

First, a few definitions:

What is an orthodontic treatment?

An orthodontic treatment is a means that a dentist uses to straighten or moving teeth, in order to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they function. This dental treatment also helps to protect the long-term health of your teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all your teeth.

What is orthodontic technology?

Orthodontic technology is a specialty of dental technology that is focused on the design and fabrication of dental appliances for the treatment of malocclusions, which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. Today’s advanced Invisalign technology is so much more effective and comfortable to go through – and produces a beautiful smile for the rest of your life.

What is a malocclusion?

A malocclusion is a misalignment of your teeth or an incorrect relationship between the two dental arches when they approach each other as the jaws close. it is a derivative of occlusion and refers to the manner in which opposing teeth meet.

What different types of orthodontic treatments are available?

  • Traditional Metal Braces.
  • Ceramic Braces.
  • Invisalign Clear Aligners.
  • Palatal Expander.

TYPES of ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS

Traditional Metal Bracesbraces

Traditional metal braces have changed a lot over the years. For one, they are now lighter and sleeker than they ever have been. These stainless steel brackets are applied to the front of your teeth using dental cement. Each bracket is then connected through thin wires, which help to apply enough force to move teeth. Traditional braces are great options for children and patients with complex or complicated dental cases.

Ceramic Braces

While these braces work the same way as traditional braces they are made from tooth-colored ceramic. This makes these brackets and wires less visible; however, since the elastic bands used on these braces are clear, it’s easier for them to become discolored. Therefore, you need to be disciplined when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent discolorations and other issues.

Even seniors are opting for straightening their teeth, as sometimes jawlines settle which may cause crowding of the teeth.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Testimonial of when clear aligners produced a beautiful result!

You’ve probably heard of Invisalign, the nearly invisible alternative to straightening your teeth. Instead of using brackets and wires, Invisalign orthodontic treatment uses clear, removable trays that are custom-made to fit over your teeth and create certain tooth movements to give you the smile you want. This option can be a great one for both teens and adults.

“I always hated my smile but didn’t know where to start. I made a consult appointment with Dr. Jensen and he went over all my options thoroughly. I chose to do Invisalign and the porcelain veneers. I couldn’t be happier with my result! A huge “thank you” to Dr. Jensen and his whole team! I will miss seeing you all on a regular basis!” – Amanda

Dr. Jensen used Invisalign, an orthodontic system using clear aligners to straighten Amanda’s teeth and improve her bite. Each aligner was worn for two weeks. She was able to use whitening gel inside her Invisalign trays at the same time to create a brighter smile. What a beautiful result!

Palatal Expander

If you are dealing with overcrowding, sometimes a tooth extraction may be necessary; however, sometimes all you will need is a palatal expander rather than to actually remove teeth. The expander fits your palate and puts pressure on the upper molars to move them apart. By expanding the palate we are able to make other braces fit teeth better without having to remove permanent teeth beforehand.

Combining Orthodontic Dental Care with Surgery

Our orthodontic dental care lets you to reposition and straighten teeth, but we recommend surgical orthodontics in some cases to correct more challenging jaw irregularities. Surgical orthodontics is effective to straighten the jaw into proper alignment, with the end benefits of improving a patient’s ability to chew, converse, and breathe. Braces are often worn in tandem with orthodontic surgery to ensure the teeth remain in the correct position for the long-term.

Advances in Reducing Orthodontic Pain During Treatment

In a June 8th article posted at the National Institute of Health and titled Current advances in orthodontic pain, we learn the following statistics:

* Orthodontic pain, with a prevalence of 72%–100% is perceived as soreness, pressure, and tension in the affected teeth.

* Orthodontic force, once exerted on teeth, initially activates sensory receptors in periodontal tissues and results in a cascade of nociceptive pain processing and transduction in both the peripheral and central nervous systems that is ultimately perceived by orthodontic patients.

* Orthodontic pain can be perceived during almost all treatment procedures: separator placement, initial wire engagement, banding, wearing elastics, rapid maxillary expansion and debonding.

* It has been well documented that orthodontic pain begins 12 hours after applying orthodontic force, peaks after 1 day, then gradually diminishes 3–7 days thereafter and returns to baseline levels after 1 month.

We also concur with additional findings in the study that orthodontic pain typically diminishes in most patients 1 week following orthodontic treatments, however approximately, 40% of adolescent patients said they experience minimal orthodontic pain after 1 week. At Smile Design Dentistry, we make your orthodontic care as painless as possible.

With several types of orthodontic treatments available, we can help you make the best choice.

We stay current with today’s dental technology so that our patients have more options when it comes to needing orthodontic treatment. While regular metal braces are still a very viable option, clear braces have rapidly become more popular along with removable appliances that can be used for simpler cases of misaligned teeth. There are more ideal smile corrections that can be made with Invisalign than ever.

SUMMARY

Smile Design Dentistry is here to give you the smile you have been dreaming about. Before you select your orthodontic option, learn about the benefits you gain with Invisalign Aligners. Know the best questions to ask when selecting your orthodontist.

Meet the convenience of our Plymouth, MN dental office to fix crooked, uneven smiles. Call (763) 537-1238.





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