Straighten Your Smile with Traditional Orthodontics and Invisalign
If you have crowded, crooked, or otherwise misaligned teeth, you may benefit from the range of orthodontics offered at our Brooklyn Heights, NY, office. Our team of doctors provide both traditional braces and Invisalign®. Our team at Dentistry at the Heights can not only help improve patient self-confidence by correcting misaligned bites, but can also reduce risk of decay and periodontal disease.
In many cases, orthodontic treatment can straighten out your smile in 18 to 24 months.
Am I a Candidate for Orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment can correct a wide range of misalignments, from minor aesthetic concerns to severe malocclusion. This includes:
- Crooked or overlapping teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Rotated or tipped teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Crossbites
It is important for patients to recognize that orthodontia cannot repair decay or eliminate periodontal disease. Consequently, the doctors will need to treat any underlying issues before beginning orthodontic treatment.
Traditional Braces
While they are no longer the only treatment available, traditional braces remain a popular orthodontic option. Using a framework of metal brackets and wire over the teeth, our dentists can readjust your braces at regular intervals to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Treatment typically takes between 18 to 24 months, although the exact time frame will depend on the degree of misalignment.
Because they are such powerful tools, traditional braces are usually recommended for more severe misalignment. In many cases, they are also more appropriate for children, since there is no risk of losing or forgetting to wear the appliance. However, many patients find metal braces more uncomfortable than other orthodontic options.
Invisalign
Rather than a metal framework, Invisalign uses a series of plastic, removable trays to readjust the teeth. By switching out the tray every two weeks, you can correct a misaligned bite within about 18 months.
By straightening your smile, orthodontia can boost both your oral health and confidence.
Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic options available. Because the trays are clear, plastic, and removable, treatment is less conspicuous and more comfortable. Patients can even remove the trays when eating or brushing their teeth, which minimizes potential restrictions on diet and lowers the risk of cavities. However, they are not as powerful as traditional braces, and so are usually recommended for correcting minor to moderate misalignment.
The Benefits of Orthodontia
Whether you choose braces or Invisalign, orthodontics can have dramatic results for your health and quality of life. While most patients are excited for how their smile will look, orthodontic treatment has a huge impact on your oral health. By improving the balance of your bite and spreading out pressure more evenly on your teeth, our dentists can reduce the risk of dental erosion, cracked teeth, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Straighter teeth also make it much easier to brush and floss your teeth, which minimizes the possibility of cavities and gum disease.
Correct Your Misaligned Bite
By straightening your smile, orthodontia can boost both your oral health and confidence. Contact Dentistry at the Heights online or by phone at (718) 625-2116 to set up a consultation with one of our doctors.
