Achieve a Straighter Smile at Jacklyn Kurth Orthodontics
Your smile is one of the first things people see when they meet you. Everyday activities, from eating to speaking, can be daunting when you’re uncomfortable with the appearance of your teeth. That’s why our top Foster City and Belmont orthodontist offers braces, a long-trusted method of straightening teeth and aligning the jaw.
Read on to learn more about how Dr. Kurth transforms her patients’ smiles using traditional and clear braces.
What Are Braces?
Braces are hardware attached to your teeth that realign your jaw, correct bite issues, and straighten your teeth. They consist of brackets typically made of stainless steel or titanium bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth. Wires are threaded through the brackets and are held in place by small elastics called ligatures.
Braces work to correct the following orthodontic problems:
- Crowded teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Gaps between teeth
- Misaligned teeth
How Do Braces Work?
Braces are the traditional method of straightening teeth and transforming smiles. The wires exert a gentle force on the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position over time. The amount of pressure and the duration of treatment depends on the specific case, but the treatment typically lasts between 12 and 24 months.
Your orthodontist will periodically adjust the wires, which increases the force on the teeth and causes them to move further. The amount of pressure and the timing of the adjustments are carefully planned and controlled to ensure the teeth move into the desired position without causing damage or excessive discomfort.
Caring For Your Braces
Taking proper care of your braces is essential to ensuring the best possible outcome for your treatment. Read the following suggestions for keeping your braces and your teeth clean and healthy:
- Brush and floss regularly. Brush your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Make sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the braces, to remove food particles and plaque.
- Avoid hard, sticky, and sugary foods. Foods that are hard, sticky, or sugary can damage the braces or get stuck in them, which can prolong treatment. Avoid eating hard candy, caramel, chewing gum, popcorn, and corn on the cob, and biting into hard crusty bread or apples.
- Use orthodontic wax for mouth sores. The brackets and wires of braces can sometimes cause mild mouth sores due to friction. To alleviate the discomfort caused by sores, try using orthodontic wax on the brackets.
- Use special tools to clean your braces. Interdental brushes and water or air flossers can help clean difficult areas around braces.
- Visit your orthodontist regularly. Regular checkups ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned and allow Dr. Kurth to make any necessary adjustments to the braces.
What To Do Following Braces Treatment
After Dr. Kurth removes your braces, you still have a few steps to maintain your straightened teeth. We’ll create a customized retainer to ensure your teeth remain in their ideal position.
There are three types of retainers:
- Removable wire retainers — This is the traditional style of retainer. It uses a wire across your teeth to maintain the treatment and is removable for easy maintenance.
- Aligner-style retainers — These plastic aligners keep your teeth in place using an exact mold of your teeth. You should wear it nightly to maintain your perfect smile.
- Fixed wire retainers — This simple device is the most permanent option for retaining the position of your straightened teeth. It uses a wire across the back of your teeth, ensuring they stay in place without remembering to place it nightly.
Clear Braces
Traditional braces are an excellent way to transform your smile. However, many patients look for ways to straighten their teeth without noticeable, bulky metal braces. Thankfully, there are alternatives for those patients. Clear braces are the same as traditional braces but use materials that blend in with the teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every braces case is specialized for each patient, meaning your treatment will differ from other patients. However, most patients visit their orthodontist for a readjustment every 6 to 8 weeks. The time frame between office visits can vary depending on how far along your treatment is, the severity of your case, or your choice of treatment.
You should avoid all sticky and hard foods during your braces treatment. These dietary restrictions are crucial for maintaining oral health during the teeth-straightening process.
Avoiding the following foods can help keep your brackets in place and oral health intact:
- Chewing gum
- Gummy candy
- Mints
- Suckers
- Ice
- Popcorn
Many adults use braces to achieve their smile goals! Traditional braces use gentle force and time to move each tooth into its desired location, which works well for most patients.
However, many adult patients find braces bulky and disruptive during their professional and personal lives. That’s why clear aligners are an excellent alternative for many adult patients who want to subtly change their smiles without the lifestyle changes required for traditional braces.
Your braces treatment is customized to meet each of your individual needs. This means that the cost of treatment can vary between patients. Your orthodontist will discuss your treatment with you at your consultation and will be able to provide an accurate cost assessment before you commit to braces.
Create Your Dream Smile at Jacklyn Kurth Orthodontics
You don’t have to worry about your smile anymore — Dr. Kurth and her team of orthodontic professionals are proud to provide high-quality braces options. We’ll help you design and transform your smile using trusted technology and quality orthodontic materials.
Whether you’re a fit for traditional braces or clear aligners, Jacklyn Kurth Orthodontics in Foster City and Belmont, CA, helps patients feel confident and excited about their new smiles. Schedule your consultation at our orthodontic office by calling our Foster City office at (650) 525-9440 or our Belmont office at (650) 592-4850.