Types of Braces
If you or a family member needs straighter teeth or a better bite for a healthy smile, traditional braces are dependable and versatile. At Macdonald Orthodontics, we use braces with many of our young patients and plenty of our older patients too.
After your first exam, we’ll show you a few options, including
- Traditional metal braces
- Ceramic braces
We offer cutting-edge orthodontic technologies to you and your family members to give you great-looking, healthy smiles fast.
Traditional Metal Braces
Metal braces are still reliable, having been tested for decades. Plus, we enjoy constantly updating our knowledge of the latest techniques to make sure we’re giving you high-quality orthodontic treatments. Today’s braces are better than your grandparents’ braces because they:
- Are more comfortable than ever
- Are made of high-quality stainless steel
- Are sleeker and less conspicuous than they used to be
Braces can even be fun. For example, we offer many different colors of elastics so our younger patients can customize their braces to their unique style and change them now and then.
Best of all, braces are dependable for straightening teeth that have almost any issues, along with improving the bite (the way that teeth come together). This can help patients keep their teeth and gums healthier, while also giving them a better-looking facial shape in many cases.
Clear Braces
We understand the importance of achieving a beautifully aligned smile without compromising your appearance during the treatment process. Our clear braces offer a discreet and effective solution for patients of all ages seeking to straighten their teeth with minimal visibility.
Clear braces function similarly to traditional metal braces but use transparent or tooth-colored brackets and wires that blend in with your natural teeth. This makes them an ideal option for those who want to maintain a professional image or simply prefer a subtler orthodontic treatment.
Key benefits of clear braces include:
- Aesthetics — Virtually invisible, making them a popular choice among teens and adults.
- Functionality — Deliver the same reliable results as traditional braces, correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues.
- Comfort — Made from smooth, high-quality materials that reduce irritation to the gums and cheeks.
Choosing clear braces at Macdonald Orthodontics means you’ll receive personalized care from our experienced team, ensuring your journey to a perfect smile is both comfortable and efficient.
Braces for Kids
Parents want the best health and emotional wellness for your children. A great smile is a major part of it! As they grow, they’ll be more confident in the way they look. And they’ll be more likely to keep their healthy teeth for the long term by building pride in their smile, along with healthy habits.
When a child’s upper and lower teeth come together in a healthy bite pattern, your child will be able to bite and chew their food better, improving their nutritional intake.
But what age is right to start orthodontics? What treatments are available? Let’s run through the main issues and options parents need to know about.
Early Treatment
The most often asked question is what age to start orthodontics. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial evaluation for children at about age seven. That age is often when they’ll have a mix of some baby teeth and some adult teeth, which helps us diagnose potential issues to work on.
This is a rule of thumb. But if you notice any major issues developing earlier or later than that, you can call us and bring your child to Macdonald Orthodontics at any age.
After that first exam, we’ll give you any recommendations we have for orthodontic treatments. Of course, your child might not need any interventions. If that’s the case, we’ll tell you.
How do you know if your child needs braces or other orthodontic treatments? Are there any signs that you can watch for? Here are a few big ones that you might spot:
- Challenges With Biting or Chewing — After the discomfort of teething is over, a child may continue to experience painful chewing — which might indicate a major issue.
- Mouth Breathing — The habit of mouth breathing can lead to orthodontic issues that we should address.
- Early or Late Baby Tooth Loss — If your child loses one or more baby teeth earlier or later than expected, their teeth may shift in ways we need to correct.
- Clicking or Shifting Jaws — Certain movements of the lower jaw can cause pain and dental problems. We’re experienced in guiding and improving jaw and bite movements.
- Cheek Biting — In a healthy bite, the cheeks stay clear of the biting surfaces of the teeth. If your child is biting their cheeks an unusual number of times, their bite may have an issue that is limiting their ability to chew.
- An Unbalanced Face — A child’s teeth and jaws affect the appearance of their chin, lips, and other features. We are experienced in evaluating this balance and improving it.
If your parental intuition is telling you that your child is experiencing a dental or orthodontic problem, give us a call. We may be able to guide you over the phone or let you know it’s time to request a consultation
Braces for Teens
At Macdonald Orthodontics, we know that the teenage years are a crucial time for developing confidence and self-esteem. A beautiful, straight smile can make a significant difference in a teen’s life, which is why we offer specialized orthodontic care tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents.
Orthodontic treatment during the teen years is often recommended because it’s an ideal time to correct dental issues before they become more complex. During this period, the jaw and teeth are still growing, making it easier to guide them into their proper positions. Some common orthodontic problems addressed with braces include:
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Overbites, underbites, and crossbites
- Misaligned jaws
Your teen’s treatment experience
Choosing Macdonald Orthodontics for your teen’s braces means entrusting their smile to experienced professionals who care deeply about their well-being. Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Every teen receives a customized treatment plan designed to address their specific orthodontic needs.
- We strive to make each visit enjoyable and stress-free, providing compassionate care every step of the way.
- We believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about their treatment, ensuring they understand the process and how to care for their braces effectively.
Investing in braces during the teenage years offers numerous benefits beyond just a beautiful smile. One of the most significant advantages is improved oral health. Straight teeth are much easier to clean, which helps reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. Additionally, properly aligned teeth enhance functionality, making chewing, speaking, and overall oral function more efficient and comfortable. Perhaps most importantly, a straight smile can significantly boost a teen’s self-esteem. This newfound confidence can positively impact their social interactions and academic performance, helping them feel more assured in various aspects of their lives.
The first step towards a confident smile is requesting a consultation at Macdonald Orthodontics. We’ll conduct a thorough examination and discuss the best treatment options for your teen. Our goal is to ensure a smooth and successful orthodontic journey, resulting in a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
Braces for Adults
We’re all used to seeing children and teens in braces. But what about adults? Adults can benefit from straighter teeth, too! What are your options?
We offer several ways for adults to have their teeth straightened at Macdonald Orthodontics — not just traditional braces. We’ll evaluate your specific case, needs, history, and goals to give you a recommendation.
Increasingly, adults in the USA are learning more and taking action to stay healthy in the long term. By straightening your teeth and improving your bite, you’ll also improve your gum health, slow down tooth decay, and much more.
Why Do I Need Orthodontics as an Adult?
Adults need straight teeth for their oral health and self-confidence just as much as any other age group. Some adults may have missed their opportunity to afford braces at a younger age, or their teeth shifted later in life even after a teen braces treatment, or maybe they didn’t become misaligned in the first place until they were older.
About 25% of orthodontic patients today are adults. If your teeth are misaligned, dentists have found that you could develop chewing problems, gum disease, tooth decay, and unnecessary tooth wear.
Besides health concerns, you might also want to improve the way your smile looks. A beautiful new smile can be a confidence booster. It might even help you in your career, relationships, or during an upcoming special event.
Adult orthodontics can help if you have:
- Large gaps between your teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- An underbite or other bite problem
But does orthodontic treatment only work on growing children? No, you can change the shape of your smile at any age. Some treatments may vary and take a little more time when you’re an adult, but most treatment time is similar as with children’s treatment time. The latest orthodontic technologies — which we love to adopt as they come out — are more comfortable and effective than ever. They’re designed to fit into your busy life.
In addition to fixing your teeth, our team will also help you adjust your oral health habits. Many of us pick up bad habits as we age, which can complicate treatments—smoking or grinding your teeth, for example. But we will work with your family dentist and other specialists to give you the greatest chance of success and help you get your dream smile!