Traditional vs. Self-Ligating Braces: What’s the Difference?

Over the last few decades, Invisalign has skyrocketed in popularity. While the clear aligners are no doubt discreet, they aren’t the only teeth-straightening solution. In fact, there are several other types of braces that may be a better fit for your dental needs and smile goals, including traditional and self-ligating braces. To learn more about these two options and how they differ from one another, read on!

The first step to enjoying a beautifully straight smile is getting braces. The second step is preserving your results by wearing your retainer each evening! Since this is a lifelong best practice, your orthodontic appliance may naturally experience some wear and tear throughout the years. But how do you know when it’s time to order a replacement? Keep reading to learn the answer.

Be honest… Do you typically go on autopilot when completing your oral hygiene regimen? Well, starting orthodontic treatment will change all that. After all, the metal brackets and wires require you to adapt to truly clean your teeth. If you currently feel like your dental care routine is frustrating, don’t worry – here’s a quick guide on how to brush and floss with braces.

Traditional braces have helped millions of patients address crooked, gapped, and otherwise misaligned teeth head-on. While the metal brackets and wires take some getting used to, there are a few must-have products for braces that will make your life significantly easier. Here are a few to keep close by!

Are you a part of a high school or college team? Do you prefer to exercise with your friends on the tennis court? Maybe you’re into a more solo sport, like golf. Whatever the case may be, you don’t want anything to get in the way of your performance. So, it’s not surprising that both amateur and professional athletes alike want to know if braces will get in the way. To learn the answer, read on!

Braces are undoubtedly one of the most reliable and effective teeth-straightening treatments available. When it comes time to have them removed, however, it’s up to you to maintain your new and improved smile. One of the best ways to do so? By wearing your retainer. If you’ve neglected to wear yours and are starting to see your teeth drift back into their previous positions, you may be wondering if using an old retainer to straighten your teeth is an option. To learn the answer, read on!

Do you have crooked, spaced-out, or otherwise misaligned teeth? If so, then the first step is to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. However, if you’re like many patients, you may be hesitant to commit to braces until you have all of the financial information upfront – that’s totally normal! Typically, one of the first questions people want to know is “Does insurance cover orthodontics?” If you’ve been wondering the same thing, keep reading for the answer.

Have your once-straight teeth drifted back into their previous position, even though you had braces in the past? This phenomenon is referred to as orthodontic relapse, and it can be extremely discouraging after investing your time and money on braces. The good news is that there are a few best practices you can follow to prevent it from happening to you. Keep reading to learn what they are!

From eating and brushing to smiling and talking, traditional braces will certainly impact many aspects of your day-to-day life. One common concern for orthodontic patients, particularly those still in school, is whether their new orthodontics will hinder their ability to play a musical instrument. Thankfully, if you play the trumpet, flute, oboe, trombone, or any other instrument involving the mouth, you don’t have to stop playing on your journey to a straighter smile! However, you will need to go through a slight adjustment period. Here are some tips that will help you play musical instruments with braces.

If your child has crooked teeth or bite problems, an orthodontic treatment like braces is a great way to set them up for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles. But in the meantime, with all the metal wires and brackets, diet restrictions, and new rules, they may not be too thrilled about the process. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can help make wearing braces fun for your child! Read on as we cover seven easy ways to encourage your little one to enjoy the process of straightening their smile.