TRADITIONAL BRACES
The standard orthodontic treatment and one of the most popular options here at Cuozzo.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are composed of brackets bonded to the teeth and held together with wires which apply pressure to the teeth into a straighter position. This standard orthodontic treatment is one of the most popular options here at Cuozzo Orthodontic Specialists, and has proven to help millions of individuals—both adults and adolescents—significantly improve both the function and appearance of their teeth!
What Are the Benefits of Traditional Braces?
Although many patients hesitate before selecting traditional braces due to their appearance on the teeth, the fact is that they are still an extremely effective orthodontic technique. Traditional braces can also be more cost-effective than other treatments, and they can be an ideal choice for patients with severely misaligned teeth. In addition, there have been many advances over the years that have allowed traditional braces to provide improved comfort and a better appearance on the teeth.
Our experienced orthodontist will meet with you for an initial evaluation and talk with you about whether braces will be ideal for your unique needs. If so, a customized treatment plan will be designed to provide you with the most effective treatment and the best possible results.
How Do Braces Work?
Treatment with braces involves the placement of brackets and wires to create a consistent and gradual pressure, carefully moving the teeth into a better alignment. Each tooth gets its own bracket, and the wire is threaded through each one. The wires are then secured to the brackets with small elastic ties. This orthodontic process allows the movement of the teeth to progress until, after a certain period of time, the teeth are straighter and yield improved functional and aesthetic results. The duration of treatment with braces varies depending on each individual’s needs. Our orthodontist can give you a general idea of how long you may need to wear the braces once you have been evaluated.
What Are My Other Braces Options?
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Clear Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces use brackets that are colored to match the tint of your teeth, making it less noticeable to others that you are wearing braces. The brackets are also built to resist stains, often creating a nice blend with your natural tooth-color for the duration of treatment.
When treating patients with braces, Dr. Pat Cuozzo and our orthodontics team often prefer the Alexander LTS Orthodontics System over options such as the Damon technique. The Alexander LTS System allows for rapid movement of the teeth into an improved position while providing our orthodontist precise control for the best possible alignment. This can ultimately lead to beautiful results in a relatively brief amount of time.
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Invisalign®
For patients who have less severe signs of crowding and teeth misalignment, Invisalign® may be the ideal treatment. Invisalign® doesn’t involve brackets and wires at all; in fact, the treatment is composed of a series of custom-designed, clear teeth aligners that progressively move the teeth into a more desirable position. Tooth- colored attachments may need to be placed on the teeth to optimize movement, and some patients will wear elastics with the aligners to correct the bite. The aligners are removable for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines, and they are virtually invisible on the teeth.
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How Do I Floss With Braces?
It sounds like it might be a challenge to properly floss with braces and wires on your teeth; however, a few minor adjustments to your normal flossing routine can help make the process more effective and convenient. First, carefully thread the floss under the main wire, then move the floss gently up and down the sides of the teeth. Once you are finished in that particular area, slowly remove the floss and repeat these steps for each pair of teeth. It’s important to use waxed floss since it’s less likely to get caught in the brackets. There are also some helpful products available that are designed specifically for cleaning teeth that have braces on them. In addition, a Waterpik® is an excellent tool for patients with braces. The staff at Cuozzo Orthodontics can help you determine whether these may be ideal for your particular needs.
Remember: It’s still vital to floss at least once every day.
How Long Do Braces Take to Straighten Teeth?
The length of time it will take for braces to adequately straighten the teeth will depend on the patient’s unique needs and their ultimate goals for treatment. Some individuals have less severe orthodontic concerns, and therefore it may take the braces less time to achieve optimal results when compared with someone who has more severe teeth alignment issues. Normal orthodontic treatment time ranges from 12 months to 28 months. Once our orthodontist has evaluated your teeth and talked with you about your concerns, he can give you a better idea as to how long the treatment process may take.
How Much Do Traditional Braces Cost?
The cost of braces often falls in the range of approximately $3500 to $7500 for comprehensive procedures for adolescent patients. An adult’s treatment often ranges from $4,800 to $9,000. With that in mind, it is important to note that orthodontic treatment is uniquely customized for each individual patient, and therefore the total price of braces varies significantly from one individual to another. The complexity of your orthodontic concerns, the estimated amount of time it will take to achieve optimal results, the orthodontist’s level of skill and experience, the specific type of braces that will be placed, and other factors will be taken into account for the final cost.
Orthodontic treatments such as braces and Invisalign® are often covered by many dental insurance policies. Also, our practice accepts a full range of payment methods, including CareCredit® and interest-free financing plans. Once your treatment plan is developed, a member of our team will produce an upfront cost estimate, including all associated expenses, and answer any questions you may have about how you can bring the procedure into your budget.