Braces and other orthodontic treatment can have a considerable impact on how you feel about yourself, your first impressions, and, of course, your smile. By straightening your teeth and giving you the smile you want, braces can boost your confidence at work, at school, and in your social life. In addition, braces and other forms of orthodontic treatment can correct problems with your bite which can lead to tooth wear, periodontal (gum) issues and dysfunction of the jaw joint.
Braces: your options
Braces are an orthodontic treatment for misaligned teeth and bites. At CP Dental, you can choose ceramic (clear) or metal braces or Invisalign removable aligners to correct your orthodontic issues. We work closely with Brisbane Orthodontics.
Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses clear plastic trays which are removed when eating, drinking and cleaning. They’re discreet and subtle, making them especially convenient for adults and teens who are self-conscious about wearing traditional braces.
Your dentist can talk to you about which form of orthodontic treatment is best for your individual dental needs and is best suited to your lifestyle.
Before braces: why correct misaligned teeth?
Crooked teeth can be much harder to clean. If you can’t adequately clean your teeth, you may end up dealing with tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal (gum) disease in the future.
Crooked teeth can also cause excess wear on one side of the mouth or certain teeth, due to difficulty biting down evenly. Additionally, crooked teeth can cause speech difficulties, making certain sounds difficult to pronounce. This, in turn, can affect your self-esteem and social confidence.
Improving your dental aesthetics with orthodontic treatment can increase your confidence to smile in your day to day life.
Getting fitted for braces
When you visit our practice for a consultation to discuss your teeth straightening options, your dentist will evaluate your teeth and gum health and help you determine which orthodontic system is most suitable for your unique smile and lifestyle.
Orthodontics is not a ‘one size fits all’ treatment so an initial consultation is extremely important. X-rays will be ordered if they haven’t already been taken. Photographs will also be taken which will allow your dentist to explain issues with your dental alignment and bite.
If you have not had a recent examination and clean with your general dentist, it will be recommended this is done prior to commencing any orthodontic treatment.
If you are planning on having Invisalign, either impressions or a 3D scan will be taken so that your dentist can plan your treatment and order your aligners.
When you get your braces placed
If you have selected braces, they will be placed on your teeth which is a simple and pain free procedure. The first few days after your braces have been placed will be uncomfortable but your dentist will give you advice on how best to manage this.
If you have selected Invisalign, the first appointment involves having some attachments placed on your teeth which improves the predictability of the tooth movement. These attachments are tooth coloured and are polished off at the end of your treatment. You will also be taught how to use and clean your Invisalign aligners. There is some discomfort expected in the first few days of your Invisalign treatment and your speech may also be affected in the short term.
Your next visits
With conventional braces you visit our practice for regular adjustments every 6 weeks to your archwire to move your teeth into the desired position. If you choose Invisalign, you switch to the next set of aligners in your series every 2 weeks and visit our practice every 6-8 weeks so we can monitor your progress.
You may experience minor discomfort each time you have an archwire adjustment or change to the next aligner in the series. Over-the-counter pain medicine can alleviate any discomfort and you should eat soft foods for the first 24 hours following an adjustment.
Getting your braces off
After months of diligent cleaning and orthodontist visits, you’re ready to enjoy your new smile. Your dentist will remove your brackets and clean the residual glue from your teeth. Photographs will be taken as records of your before and after transformation.
Regardless of which orthodontic system you chose for your treatment, you are required to wear a retainer. A retainer can be removable and looks like a mouth guard or a fixed wire behind the front lower and upper teeth. The retainer prevents your teeth from relapsing to their former position. Your dentist will explain the correct choice for you. Follow up appointments will be made to examine the retainers and review the stability of your new smile.
Braces, before and after
If your teeth are crooked and prone to dental health concerns or cause you embarrassment, conventional braces or Invisalign can correct these issues. After braces, you can enjoy your results, share photos, and show off your beautiful, straight teeth.
To have your own braces before and after story, contact one of our CP Dental clinics in Cooper Plains (07) 3345 1099 or Emerald (07) 4987 6183 in the Central Highlands and start your journey to a confident, healthy smile today.
CP Dental is proud to have a long standing relationship with Brisbane Orthodontics who work out of these locations. You can also contact them directly on (07) 3229 3372 to schedule an appointment.
