Orthodontics in Oviedo, Florida
.png)
.png)
.png)
Did you know…
Tooth stains can be caused by drinks like coffee and tea, foods like curry or tomato sauce, smoking, or even the natural aging process.
Orthodontic Options
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces combine the best of traditional metal braces and the aesthetics of clear aligners. The disadvantage of traditional braces is that they’re noticeable and can make patients feel embarrassed about the brackets and wires on their teeth.
The disadvantage of clear aligners is that they’re not as effective at treating severe orthodontic issues. Ceramic braces are just as effective as traditional braces except the brackets and wires are white or clear, offering an aesthetic option for patients who want to correct bite problems and severely crooked teeth while shifting the teeth at a faster rate. Treatment usually takes 18 to 36 months.
Clear Aligner Therapy
Clear aligners are becoming increasingly popular because the transparent plastic they are made of makes them discreet and aesthetic.
They are also much more comfortable than traditional braces, exerting gentle pressure on the teeth to gradually shift them rather than the more uncomfortable force of metal braces. They are also removable which makes them more hygienic and gives you more freedom.
You’ll be able to eat whatever you want as long as you take them out and you can brush your teeth thoroughly without metal wires obscuring access to the surfaces. Clear aligners are best suited for minor orthodontic problems but can also fix more severe malocclusions with the help of attachments and elastics. Treatment averages at about 12 to 18 months.
Six Month Smiles
Tooth-colored braces and clear wires are used in tandem to gradually shift your teeth and correct your bite within 6 months. This treatment is only a good option for those with extremely minor entirely cosmetic orthodontic problems like small gaps or slightly crooked teeth.
We recommend this option for adults who want to improve the cosmetic appearance of their teeth quickly. Unlike clear aligners, we have more control over where and how the teeth move. We can even rotate, intrude, and extrude teeth (move them higher or lower into the gums).
Have Questions About Orthodontics? Find Answers Here.
Which is Better, Braces or Clear Aligners?
Braces are a great option for patients of all ages, especially if they have more severe malocclusions like overbites, underbites, open bites, or crossbites. They can correct crooked teeth faster because of the more intense force involved in the metal brackets and wires.
Clear aligners are a good option for adults with mostly cosmetic or minor orthodontic problems. We don’t recommend these for children or teenagers because they need to have a lot of self-accountability to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day and carefully maintain them by cleaning and remembering to remove them before eating and brushing.
Clear aligners are much more comfortable and aesthetic so this is great for an adult who may be hesitant to get braces because they don’t want to attract attention to their teeth.
How Long Will I Need Treatment?
This depends entirely on how complex your orthodontic case is, the type of orthodontics you get, and how well you comply with treatment. Those with severe malocclusions will logically take longer to correct than very minor cosmetic issues.
However, cosmetic issues that are being corrected with braces will take less time than if you were to correct them with clear aligners. With clear aligners, treatment can be delayed if you don’t wear the aligners for the necessary 22 hours per day and may result in your next set of aligners being too tight or not fitting at all. We can give you an accurate treatment timeline when you come in for a consultation with Dr. Galeano
What Can Six Month Smiles Fix?
Six Month Smiles can correct a range of minor cosmetic orthodontic problems, including spacing, crowding, and alignment concerns as well as some minor bite problems. Dr. Riano will assess the complexity of your orthodontic alignment during a consultation to determine if Six Month Smiles is right for you.
This will also help us determine if you need clear aligners or clear braces. Braces can perform more complex tooth movements like correcting a misaligned bite or large gaps. Aligners can correct small gaps and slightly crooked teeth.
Six Month Smiles is not suitable for severely crooked teeth, large gaps, or severely misaligned bites. While most problems can be corrected in 6 months, treatment can range anywhere from 4 to 9 months.
Will My Orthodontic Treatment Be Painful?
Orthodontic treatment may cause some slight discomfort as you get used to the force being exerted on your teeth by braces or aligners. Orthodontic treatment can cause soreness and tooth sensitivity but it shouldn’t be especially painful.
For your teeth to shift, the aligners or braces need to exert force on your teeth to get them to move. This means that some level of discomfort is normal and to be expected. However, there are many things you can do to reduce it.
Rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution a few times a day, take anti-inflammatory pain medication, suck on an ice cube for relief or eat cold and soothing foods. Pain from braces typically lasts from 2 days to a week while discomfort from aligners is the worst when you first put on the aligners.
The aligners then loosen as your teeth shift over the next 2 weeks. However, they will always feel tightest when you switch to a new aligner or when you get your braces adjusted. As you get used to your orthodontic treatment, the discomfort should subside or at least be greatly reduced.
If you are experiencing extreme pain, you should contact us, as your braces may be too tight or your aligners may not fit because you aren’t wearing them long enough.
How Often Do I Have Appointments?
How frequently you will need to attend appointments depends on the type of orthodontic treatment you are undergoing and the length of your treatment. Patients who wear braces can expect to return for routine appointments to have their braces adjusted.
This could be every 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks depending on the severity of your misalignment and the complexity of your treatment. Clear aligner patients can expect to return to our office for routine checkups every 6 weeks.
During these appointments, we will check on your progress and provide you with more aligners. If you are undergoing Six Month Smiles, you will need to return for braces adjustments every 4 weeks.