Alexandria braces

Time-Tested And Versatile

Advantages of Metal Braces from Kingstowne Dental Specialists

Traditional braces are one of the most powerful and versatile methods of smile correction available in dentistry, and they have been the preferred method of correcting bite and jaw alignment issues for decades. 
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One of the primary benefits of traditional braces is that they can correct almost any orthodontic issue, no matter how severe. Along with other necessary treatments like dental surgeries, traditional braces are the best option for correcting serious orthodontic problems.
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Metal braces are also typically stronger and more durable than ceramic braces, making them a better option if you’re worried about accidentally damaging your braces during treatment. They are also nonremovable, which ensures that you can keep your treatment on track and won’t have to worry about remembering to wear Invisalign aligners. 
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In addition, metal braces offer fast treatment times even for complex dental problems, and are very cost-effective. In most cases, traditional metal braces are much cheaper than alternatives like Invisalign, ceramic braces, or lingual braces. 
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For all of these reasons, metal braces from Dr. Bob and Dr. Suzanne at Kingstowne Dental Specialists may be right for you if you’re interested in correcting your smile. You can learn more by contacting us online to schedule an appointment.

Are Braces Right For Me?

Candidates for Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional braces are an ideal choice for any patient with jaw or bite alignment issues, no matter how severe they may be. However, you must have a healthy mouth to receive braces, which means your teeth and gums have to be free of common oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. 
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In addition, traditional braces are not always the best option for very minor orthodontic problems. In these cases, a clear aligner treatment like Invisalign may be a better option, and offer faster and more convenient treatment for your orthodontic issues.
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Not sure if you’re a good candidate for metal braces, or if orthodontic treatment is right for you? The best way to find out is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bob and Dr. Suzanne today, and get a comprehensive orthodontic consultation to explore your options.

What To Expect

Understanding The Braces Treatment Process

After examining your mouth and assessing your teeth and gums, Dr. Bob will develop a treatment plan to guide the movement and correction of your teeth. Metal brackets will be bonded to your teeth, and wires and rubber bands will be secured to these brackets. Then, Dr. Bob will adjust your braces to provide the proper pressure and move your teeth into the correct position. You’ll come in about every 4-6 weeks for regular adjustments to ensure that your treatment is on track.

Maintaining

Traditional Metal Braces

It’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene while wearing braces. Otherwise, you could put yourself at risk of further oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay. First and foremost, make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes to remove food particles from your teeth and your braces.
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You should also floss once per day, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash to remove food particles that may be stuck and lodged between your teeth. It’s best to choose a mouthwash that doesn’t have bright red or green dyes, which could stain your teeth.
In addition, an oral irrigator (water flosser) can be a useful tool for cleaning your braces and your teeth. Using an oral irrigator will help blast away food particles that may be hard to clean with other methods.
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Finally, make sure to maintain the proper diet. Avoid foods that could damage or dislodge your braces, as this could cause treatment delays. A few foods you should avoid include sticky candies like caramels and taffy, hard nuts, crunchy snacks like corn chips and potato chips, and popcorn. Dr. Bob and Dr. Suzanne can provide you with more information about maintaining a braces-healthy diet.

Confidence During Treatment

Tooth-Colored Ceramic Braces

Tooth-colored braces allow patients to avoid the harsh appearance of metal brackets and wires, which helps keep your smile looking great throughout the entire treatment process. This is ideal for older adults who may wish to avoid the stigma of “adult braces.”

Understanding “Hidden Braces”

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are just like traditional braces, but the brackets and wires are placed on the rear side of your teeth rather than the front surfaces. This means that your braces are completely hidden. In some cases, treatment with lingual braces may take a bit longer than traditional braces placed on the front of your teeth.

Dr. Bob and the team at Kingstowne Dental Specialists offer traditional metal braces to the Alexandria community. Call today to schedule a consultation with our team and find out which orthodontic option is right for you!