Braces

BRACES                

If there are things about your smile you’d like to change, braces are an excellent treatment option. Orthodontic services are one of many treatment options available from Sojin Kim, DMD, and the team at Aesthetic Smiles Dentistry in Shenandoah, Texas. Schedule a face-to-face consultation online or by phone today to learn more.  

Q: What are braces?

Braces are an orthodontic treatment that corrects issues with the alignment of your teeth. Traditional metal braces use small metal brackets and a treatment wire that your dentist affixes to each tooth. 

The wire creates the gentle pressure needed to slowly shift teeth into optimal positioning. Metal braces can also use small hooks and elastic bands to create an additional force as needed. Over time, braces can create a beautiful smile and a healthy bite. 

Braces are something of a rite of passage for many American teenagers, but orthodontic treatment is also popular among adults. It’s never too late to improve your smile, and today’s braces are more effective and comfortable than ever before. 

Q: What kinds of alignment issues can braces correct?

Braces offer the chance to address a number of common alignment issues. Some examples of treatable cases include:

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• Overbite
• Underbite
• Cross bite
• Open bite
• Mix of permanent and baby teeth
• General misalignment

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Orthodontic treatment is highly customized. Your experience in braces will be unique and designed to align with your specific needs. During your initial consultation, your dentist explains what to expect regarding the length of your treatment and the expense. 

Q: Is there an alternative to traditional metal braces?

If you don’t want to spend a year or more in traditional metal braces, SureSmile® and Invisalign® clear aligners offer an excellent alternative. This system uses a series of clear aligner trays to create the pressure required to shift teeth into enhanced alignment. 

You simply wear the aligners around the clock, removing them only while eating or drinking and when performing your dental hygiene routines. You switch to a new set of aligners every few weeks, which keeps your treatment progress moving forward. 

SureSmile can correct most of the same alignment issues as traditional metal braces, but there are some cases when metal braces offer the best treatment path. Because metal braces are secured directly to the surface of your teeth, they facilitate specific forces that tray-based systems cannot match.