For most people, achieving a healthy, beautiful smile is the reason for receiving orthodontic care. If you're self-conscious about your smile, correcting your concerns with braces or Invisalign will greatly improve the way you look and feel. Correcting your bite will also help improve your oral hygiene and dental health.

When your treatment is complete, you will have the smile you've always dreamed of and the confidence to show it off! We also want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire orthodontic experience, and our practice is dedicated to making sure that you receive the quality care you deserve.

Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to the proper position.

Treatment time varies and on average can last between 6 months to two years, depending on several factors including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is. A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a quicker treatment time.

You may already know that some wiring used for braces contains nickel titanium, but did you know that NASA originally developed this alloy for use in the space program? When used in orthodontic appliances, these thin, highly elastic and flexible wires are activated by body heat and able to maintain their shape after being bent and attached to the teeth.

In 1728, Pierre Fauchard, also known as the Father of Dentistry, designed the first official braces. These braces consisted of flat metal material connected to the teeth by a thin thread. As we entered the 20thcentury with a better grasp on malocclusion, dentist Edward Angle introduced more advanced and modern orthodontic appliances, like brackets, to effectively address issues with tooth misalignment.

All orthodontists are dentists, but only about 6 percent of dentists are orthodontists. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention and treatment of teeth irregularities, such as improper bite. After graduating from dental school, an orthodontist must successfully complete an additional two to three years of education from an accredited orthodontic residency program.

Even though braces weren't designed until the early 18thcentury, people have had a yearning for straight, attractive smiles for thousands of years. Many mummies have been discovered with cords made from animal intestines wrapped around their teeth, much like modern braces wiring, which archaeologists believe was an attempt at straightening crooked teeth.

The success of a patient's orthodontic treatment depends on how dedicated he is about wearing his retainer. Unfortunately, approximately 25 percent of patients who wear braces have to get them again because they fail to wear their retainers as instructed. For this reason, their teeth shift to their original, crooked position. Bottom line: Wear your retainer to maintain a beautiful, straight smile for a lifetime!

If you think your time for a straighter smile has long passed, think again. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, about one in five orthodontic patients is an adult & many patients are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. That means kids, parents and grandparents can reap the benefits of a straighter smile through orthodontic treatment.

Do you ever wonder how celebrities get those Hollywood smiles? Just like the rest of us. Many famous actors, singers and professional athletes have worn orthodontic appliances to correct issues with their teeth and enhance their smiles, including Tom Cruise, Kathryn Heigle, Chelsea Clinton and Whoopi Goldberg, to name a few.

As you read this, approximately 4 million people in the United Sates arewearing bracesor another form of orthodontic appliance to straighten their teeth, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Of those receiving treatment, 75 percent are younger than 18.

Rest assured that braces don't live up to many of the rumors you have heard. Braces will not set off metal detectors. It is not possible to lock braces while kissing. Braces do not interfere with radio signals. Wearing braces will not increase your odds of being struck by lightning. You can still safely and effectively play instruments and participate in sports while wearing braces.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends having your child seen by an orthodontist as soon as tooth irregularities appear no later than age 7. An early evaluation can help determine if problems are present and anticipate the most appropriate time for orthodontic treatment, if necessary. More so, many conditions are far easier to treat if they are identified early.