Many patients visit our Irving, TX orthodontic office to learn more about their options for treating crooked teeth. At Define Orthodontics, we offer many different types of braces to effectively and comfortably straighten your teeth. Your orthodontic treatment plan will depend mostly on your initial consultation with Dr. Sodhi and the current condition of your smile. However, most mild to moderate orthodontic cases can be treated with a variety of treatment options. Learn more about your orthodontic options for straightening crooked teeth below.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are usually the first thing people think of when it comes to orthodontic treatment. With traditional braces, metal brackets and wires are attached to your teeth. These wires must be tightened periodically throughout your treatment plan to ensure adequate pressure is applied to your teeth to encourage them to shift into a straighter position. It’s important to take very good care of your orthodontic hardware outside of the dentist’s office. This includes sticking to a strict oral hygiene routine that includes flossing diligently around the brackets and wires. Food residue may get stuck in your orthodontic hardware, which is why we recommend following certain dietary restrictions like avoiding any excessively crunchy or chewy foods.
Clear Aligner Therapy
Clear aligner therapy is a system of clear, plastic aligners designed to be worn over the teeth, similar to a retainer. As your treatment plan progresses, you will change aligners about once every two weeks. These aligners will gradually apply pressure to your dental structures and encourage them to shift, making them just as effective as traditional braces. However, many patients prefer clear aligner therapy to traditional braces because they are able to remove the aligners when they need to eat, drink, or brush their teeth. As long as you wear your aligners on average of 20-22 hours a day, your treatment plan will progress as intended.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are another discreet alternative to traditional braces. They utilize a wire that is attached to the backs of your teeth instead of the front-facing portion. The wire is designed to automatically adjust to your smile according to your treatment plan, applying pressure from behind your teeth to encourage them to shift and realign. Lingual braces are truly invisible braces as no one will be able to tell that you are using them except for you and your orthodontist. If you would like to learn more about traditional braces, clear aligner therapy, or lingual braces, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sodhi. During your consultation, Dr. Sodhi will recommend which type of braces would best meet your needs and goals. We look forward to seeing you soon.