Clear Braces – Richardson
A Discreet Way to Achieve a Straighter Smile
In addition to being easier to keep clean and healthy, having a straight smile can help patients feel more confident about the appearance of their smile. Fortunately, you don’t need to settle for bite issues, crowdedness, or gaps. At Oakbrook Dental & Orthodontics, we offer clear braces to subtle address misalignment issues. To learn more about this discreet way to achieve a straighter smile or to schedule a consultation at our office in Richardson, don’t hesitate to contact us!
What Are Clear Braces
The main difference between clear braces and metal braces is that they are made from materials that are less noticeable and blend in with your smile. The wires are made from metal, just like traditional braces, and the brackets are made to match the teeth. Clear braces can correct a wide range of orthodontic issues, including bite problems, crowding, rotated teeth, and gaps between the teeth.
Indications for Clear Braces
During your consultation with us, we will examine your smile to determine if clear braces are the right option for you. You may be able to benefit from them if you have the following:
- Crowded Teeth: If teeth are crowded, clear braces can help to shift them to be in a more aligned position, preventing future health issues.
- Gapped Teeth: If your teeth have gaps between them, clear braces can be used to bring your teeth together to be the perfect distance apart.
- Bite Issues: When the upper and lower arches aren’t aligned properly, you can experience issues, like TMD and bruxism. Clear braces can correct overbites, underbites, crossbites, and more!
The Benefits of Clear Braces
The main benefit of clear braces is that they are much more discreet than traditional metal braces. As opposed to braces made from metal backets and wires, clear braces are made from clear, ceramic material. Here are some of the other benefits of clear braces:
- Durable: Clear braces are both strong and durable. It is unlikely that you will experience a broken bracket during your treatment.
- Noticeability: Orthodontic treatment is discreet and more difficult for others to detect.
- Versatile: Clears braces can correct various alignment issues.
Living with Clear Braces
Going through your day-to-day life with clear braces is just like having traditional braces. Keeping up excellent oral hygiene is key to a successful treatment. Here are some steps that you should be taking every day:
- Brush carefully after meals to remove all debris from your brackets and wires.
- Floss between each of your teeth and the metal. Using a water flosser is an excellent tool to make the process easier and leave you with extra freshness.
- Keep up with your routine orthodontic visits to ensure that your treatment is going as planned and no oral health issues have arisen.
Clear Braces FAQs
Do Clear Braces Hurt?
When your teeth start to move, it’s normal to experience some soreness and pressure. The good news is that these symptoms are only temporary. Not only that, but there are a few simple steps you can take to alleviate them, like sipping on cool water and taking OTC pain medication as directed on the label. All that to say, you shouldn’t let slight discomfort from time to time stop you from pursuing a straight smile.
Am I Too Old to Get Clear Braces?
Since children and teens are often seen wearing braces, many patients assume that they are too old for orthodontic treatment, even if they are only in their 40s or 50s. The truth is that candidacy is determined by factors like the complexity of your case and the health of your smile, not by your age. So, if you’re ready to address overcrowding, an overbite, or any other orthodontic problems, don’t hesitate to call our team at Buchwald Orthodontics to schedule a consultation.
How Long Do Clear Braces Take?
The length of your teeth-straightening journey will depend on several factors, including the severity of your misalignment and how well you follow the treatment guidelines. During your initial consultation, we will complete a comprehensive oral exam, create your custom treatment plan, and provide you with an estimate of your timeline. Then, we will discuss the steps you can take to avoid frustrating delays, like abiding by the dietary restrictions.
What Can You Not Eat with Clear Braces?
We advise against eating anything with a crunchy or sticky consistency (i.e., hard pretzels, tortilla chips, taffy) to prevent common orthodontic emergencies, like a wire coming loose. It’s also a good idea to limit your intake of ice cream, caramel candies, and other sweet treats since overindulging can quickly lead to tooth decay. Instead, fill your plate with nutrient-dense foods that have a softer consistency, like cooked sweet potatoes, cottage cheese, bananas, plain yogurt, and oatmeal.
Can You Drink Coffee with Clear Braces?
If having a cup of coffee is a part of your daily routine, we have good news: you don’t have to give it up during your orthodontic treatment. You do, however, need to take a few precautions to prevent stubborn stains from surfacing, like using a straw. We also recommend brushing your teeth about 20 minutes after you’re done, or, if that’s not possible, rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water.
What Happens After You Get Your Clear Braces Off?
Once we’ve guided your teeth and bite into their ideal places with clear braces, we will move on to the retention phase. This is often overlooked, but it’s extremely important because upwards of 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse (when teeth drift back into their original positions). To prevent that from happening, we will create a custom retainer from impressions of your teeth.
At your “final” appointment, we will make sure your retainer fits properly and review how to take care of it. We will also share how often you need to wear it to preserve your results. For many patients, it’s 20-22 hours each day for the first few weeks. Then, they can transition to wearing it solely at night.