At Dr. Gregory K. Shell, we can provide various forms of orthodontic services to help patients struggling with crooked teeth, developing teeth, jaw alignment issues, and more. We strive to create a comfortable and calm atmosphere to help patients relax during treatment. We will help patients on the path to proper tooth alignment for a healthier and more uniform smile.

Contrary to popular stereotypes, adults can benefit from orthodontics just as children can. We provide orthodontic treatment for children, teens, and adults of varying ages. Even if a patient wears braces as a child, they may need them again as an adult. We will customize the treatment plan to the patients individual needs.

Types of BracesTraditional Metal BracesAt Dr. Gregory K Shell, we offer traditional metal braces since they are still one of the most effective ways for straightening teeth and transforming smiles. While these types of braces have been in use as orthodontic treatment for decades, the technology continues to improve. In the past twenty years, the metal brackets and wires have become significantly smaller. Metal braces are more difficult to see and no longer monopolize a patient's smile. While the metal is still obvious, more of the natural tooth shines through.

Traditional metal braces work by having Dr. Shell place a metal bracket onto each tooth. The bracket looks like a small rectangle. Once secure, we thread a thin metal wire through the brackets. We then ensure the wire stays in place by using rubber bands. Kids have the ability to select the color of their rubber bands, and can change them at each visit. Kids are able to have some fun with the rubber band colors based on their mood or the holiday season. For example, they can have their rubber bands match the colors of their favorite football team during the playoffs.

These braces are also the least expensive option, making them ideal for both children and adults. Traditional metal braces are known for dependable results and are still one of the few solutions for effectively moving a child's teeth into position.

Ceramic BracesPatients throughout North Carolina often ask us about clear ceramic braces. This is an excellent solution for patients who want to straighten their teeth, but do not want anyone to notice. Since the ceramic bracket is difficult to keep clean and take care of, we usually recommend ceramic braces for adults. If you stain the bracket, your tooth will appear as the stain color for the rest of the treatment process unless we replace it. A child may not be able to handle such a large responsibility, which makes metal braces a more practical solution.

With orthodontic treatment, the process for applying ceramic braces is similar to metal ones. The main difference being that the bracket is a tooth-colored ceramic material instead of metal. Simultaneously, the wires can be made of a tooth-colored material as well. This helps them to blend in, something that our Granite Falls patients appreciate.

Lingual BracesThese types of braces are unique and not suited for everyone. At Dr. Gregory K Shell, we do not recommend lingual braces for complex cases as it is difficult to access the brackets and wires. While lingual braces are of the same materials as metal braces, we place them behind your teeth. The placement makes them difficult to notice, an excellent choice for those who want to straighten their teeth discreetly.

InvisalignFor those that do not want to wear brackets at all, Invisalign, also known as clear aligners, is an ideal option for straightening teeth. Patients throughout Granite Falls wear aligners without anyone else noticing. Invisalign is a set of clear aligners that surround both your upper and lower teeth. We have an orthodontic lab create the aligners after taking several impressions of the patient's teeth. Each aligner targets specific tooth and moves the teeth closer to being straight. The patient switches out the aligner with the next one in the set every few weeks to a month. After using all of the aligners, the teeth will be perfectly straight. This is an ideal solution for people that have busy lifestyles and do not want to visit an orthodontic practice on a regular basis. While some checkups are necessary, they are less frequent because lab technicians create the aligners in advance.

Another advantage patients experience when wearing aligners is that patients can remove them while eating and brushing their teeth. However, a patient will need to wear an aligner for 22 hours a day. Patients throughout the local area find it convenient that they can continue eating their favorite foods and caring for their teeth while receiving an orthodontics treatment. As a result, there is a lower risk of staining or damaging aligners when comparing them with traditional braces. The drawback is that aligners can be more expensive and are easy to lose by acciorthodonticly throwing them away. At Dr. Gregory K Shell we will recommend that patients keep their aligners in a special case to help prevent patients from throwing the aligners away in the garbage.

Types of Braces: Multiple Options to Choose FromAt Dr. Gregory K Shell, we offer several types of braces so that you, our patients, can select the option that works best for straightening your teeth. Our treatment plan will not encumber your lifestyle or work requirements. With orthodontic treatment, we can help you to select the option that works for you now and in the future.

Advancements in dental technology have allowed those with oral problems to repair their smile, especially in the case of kid's braces. Children have benefitted from braces since the early 20th century, as this dental gear can straighten crooked or misaligned teeth, even in small patients. Much has improved over the years, allowing orthodontists to fit

Cosmetic braces are a great alternative to traditional braces, which are far more visible while they are worn. However, many patients still have concerns about how long the cosmetic brackets process takes to straighten teeth. Learning more about what cosmetic braces are and how long the treatment process takes can help you determine if treatment

Crowded teeth are no fun, and if you have a child who is likely to develop this problem, it can be avoided by a palatal expander. This method is proven to widen the roof of your child's mouth so that teeth have room to grow. When teeth are crowded, they tend to grow in the

Cosmetic orthodontics works to improve the function and appearance of misaligned teeth. This type of oral treatment helps to even out bite pressure across all teeth, which safeguards the long-term health of gums, teeth, and jaws.Braces and aligners are used in cosmetic orthodontics to correct a crooked smile or misaligned bite. There are various types