It can be overwhelming to pick the right kind of braces. Sometimes simple is best, and at Runnels Orthodontics we offer traditional braces as well as other options. We have locations in Santa Rosa Beach, Inlet Beach, and Destin, FL, and are ready to give you some insight on whether or not these braces could be the right fit for you.
Traditional braces are made of strong and highly durable metal. They can handle little corrections and bigger issues with ease, and there are several significant benefits that come along with these braces.
Metal braces are usually the most cost-effective option. If you’re watching your budget, these braces are great for getting the job done without any compromise on quality.
If you or your kids lead an active lifestyle or enjoy playing sports, durable braces are a must. While we always recommend wearing mouth protection during sports, having braces that are sturdy and less likely to fracture or break can offer a definite peace of mind.
When you think of braces, what image comes to mind? Usually, the answer will be traditional metal braces, and there’s a reason for that. This bracket and wire system has proven itself over many years and generations, working gently and effectively to straighten out teeth.
The word “traditional” can be a bit misleading. Just because something works doesn’t mean it’s perfect, which is why traditional braces have benefited from numerous improvements over the years. While metal braces may be considered traditional, they are constantly improving in quality, so today’s metal braces are even better than before.
Metal braces can help correct the following issues:
The streamlined, effective design of metal braces combined with their strength can take on jobs that some other braces may not be able to. While this option is great for kids, it may also be the best choice for some adults.
While the length of treatment does depend on the level of correction that’s needed, some patients can be completely done with their braces in just a year. Other patients may need up to three years, but even that is a small price to pay for a lifetime of improved dental health.
Clear aligners can be a great option for a wide variety of people, but the fact these aligners are removed when you eat and brush your teeth also means they can be lost.
Especially when it comes to children, if you’re concerned about aligners being misplaced or not worn as often as they should be, metal braces may be the way to go. They’re always in place doing their job.
A safe, heavy-duty dental glue will be used to apply the brackets to your teeth, then archwires will be connected to these brackets. These archwires are responsible for guiding your teeth into a more correct position throughout the course of your treatment.
You can help protect your results with a retainer that most clients will wear nightly. When you come in to visit us, our team will be able to give you more individualized pointers and a clearer timeline for your needs.
Many people seek out braces for cosmetic reasons, but there are health reasons to consider as well. Misaligned teeth are often much more challenging to properly clean. When teeth overlap, it creates tight spaces where plaque can grow and eventually turn to decay.
Even with thorough cleaning and consistent visits to the dentists, crooked teeth may put you more at risk for tartar development and gum disease. When teeth are straightened out, it makes them much easier to brush and floss.
If you have a protruding tooth and something hits your mouth, the protruding tooth could cause an injury in your mouth. Correcting this tooth may help avoid this issue.
Having your teeth corrected may also improve sleep and jaw comfort. Misaligned teeth can lead to a strain in your jaw muscles, which can actually contribute to headaches and may make for a fitful night’s sleep.
Misaligned teeth usually don’t improve on their own, in fact, they’re more likely to get worse over time. If you know there’s an issue you’d like corrected, it’s better to act sooner rather than later. It may actually end up saving you money and stress over time by helping you avoid more costly and invasive dental surgeries.
We want everyone who seeks out care from our team to leave our office feeling confident and excited. If your teeth are affecting your confidence, we have the tools to help. Many patients who have their smiles corrected feel more comfortable smiling for pictures and during introductions.
When it comes to being a good candidate, while we’ll be able to give you a better idea of that during a consultation, the answer is usually yes. Adults and children can both benefit from metal braces, and these braces can correct more mild concerns as well as complex issues.
We love our traditional metal braces, but they aren’t the only braces we offer here. We recognize that each person and their needs are unique, so we offer a range of different treatment options to find each of our clients that perfect fit.
Ceramic braces are often sought out by adults who want the corrective power of braces without the metal that comes with traditional options. There’s a variety of shades available for ceramic braces. Our team can help you pick out the shade that matches your natural teeth, to help them blend in with your smile.
We are also pleased to offer Clarity ceramic braces, which have the benefit of being completely translucent and are very resistant to staining. Since staining can be a concern with many clear braces, this stain-resistant technology is a definite benefit and a game-changer to the world of ceramic braces.
While ceramic technology can help reduce the appearance of your braces, if you want the corrective ability of braces but don’t want them showing on your teeth at all, why not consider lingual braces? These braces are attached to the inside of your teeth, so when you smile your natural teeth are showing, and the lingual braces will be working behind the scenes.
It can be challenging to find orthodontists who offer lingual braces since it requires specialized training. The good news is our team has that specialized training, and if this discreet option is the right call for you we can get you fitted with them.
Are braces as a whole just not for you? Our office offers Invisalign for adults and teens who want to correct tooth concerns without getting braces. If we determine that Invisalign will be able to help, we’ll scan your teeth to capture a full 3D image, and send this image off to Align Technology.
Each aligner is made unique for each patient, and you’ll wear each set for about two weeks. As you progress through your sets you’ll notice each one will bring you a little closer to your goal, gently moving your teeth until you’re done.
12 months is the normal time frame you can expect to use Invisalign, but the time spent with Invisalign can vary depending on your needs and how consistently the aligners are worn. For the best and quickest results, we recommend you wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. Not wearing them as consistently can make the process longer.
Invisalign can help bring results to patients who have sensitive mouths, due to the comfort and convenience factor. As the name implies, it’s almost impossible to tell when you’re wearing Invisalign. This is probably the benefit most people are excited about.
If you want to have your smile corrected but have a big event like a wedding coming up, you can wear Invisalign and still smile for pictures with confidence.
If you or your teen are involved in a hobby or sport that could involve your face being hit with something now and then, Invisalign can be worn during the activity without a worry.
That said, if you have an active lifestyle but your tooth corrections need more power, braces with a mouthguard may still be considered the way to go.
Once you’ve finished your treatment and your braces are taken off, there’s still one more thing to consider as you enjoy your beautiful new smile. The right retainer can make a world of difference in making sure your teeth don’t decide to go rogue and try to return to how they were before.
Runnels Retainers are discreet, comfortable, and convenient, which is why they’re one of our go-to retainer options.
These retainers are made of a clear plastic material, so they tend to blend in with your smile in a similar way to Invisalign. Old-school retainers often have a metal wire that will show across the front of your teeth, and these retainers may not be replaced for several years. On the other hand, Runnels Retainers come in a set of four per patient and have no need for that metal wire.
Depending on your needs, you may have to wear your retainer full time for a few months. Since you just got your braces off, being able to enjoy a retainer without the metal strip can be an exciting prospect. After about three months, you’ll probably be able to move on to just wearing it while you sleep.
Runnels Retainers are made to last and custom-made just for you, so there’s no compromise on quality here. Children and adults can both benefit from this retainer.
No matter what your needs are, we’re up to the challenge. We want each of our patients to feel as though there’s the right option out there for them. With the wide variety of care we offer, we’re ready to step up to the plate. We have multiple offices which include Santa Rosa Beach, Inlet Beach, and Destin, FL. If you’re ready to learn more, contact our team at Runnels Orthodontics in Santa Rosa Beach, Inlet Beach, and Destin, FL today for a consultation!
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