Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces, are larger, and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-Ligating braces represent the newest technology in tooth movement. They have improved comfort and oral hygiene for patients. Your appointment time is shorter and also longer intervals between appointment dates, meaning less time missed from school and work. In conjunction with the self-ligating braces, we use heat activated arch wires that are responsive to temperature. Cold will be applied to the arch wire when it needs to be considerably activated. This will allow us to completely engage the arch wire into your braces with minimal force or discomfort. As the arch wire progressively warms to the body temperature it will achieve the appropriate level of force necessary to move your teeth. With this technology you have shorter treatment time with extraordinary results.
Invisible (Clear) Orthodontic Appliances
Invisalign®
Invisalign® uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten you teeth. And, no one can tell you are wearing Invisalign because it's invisible! Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. Click here to learn more Invisalign.
GAC Mystique
GAC Mystique is a ceramic bracket designed to blend in with tooth enamel, rendering itself virtually invisible. Also, because it has no metal slots, patients do not have to worry about allergies or related problems.
Mystique combats friction (which can inhibit proper tooth movement, slowing treatment time) by coating its bracket slot with silica and rounding it. By creating greater comfort physically and aesthetically for patients, Mystique offers an overall, more pleasant alternative to standard metal brackets. Because it is so reliable and effective, most patients will also find they have fewer visits for treatment.
If you have any questions as to whether this bracket is right for you, consult Dr. Tingey.
Invisalign® Teen
Now teens don’t have to worry about embarrassing metal braces in their yearbook photos or Facebook profiles – introducing Invisalign® Teen! Invisalign® Teen is the clear way to straighten teeth without metal braces, using aligners. Aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing; and you can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth; and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.
We went to leading orthodontists, parents and teens themselves to custom-design an Invisalign® system just right for the dental needs of teenagers. With blue-to-clear color-changing aligners to show how long each aligner has been worn, six free replacement aligners in case some are lost or broken, and other changes designed to accommodate growing mouths, Invisalign® Teen is the perfect teeth-straightening system for today’s teens’ busy lifestyles!
What is Invisalign® Teen?
- Invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
- Series of clear, removable, custom-made aligners.
- Uses no metal wires or brackets.
- Custom-made for comfort.
How does Invisalign® Teen work?
- Wear each set of aligners for about two weeks.
- Remove only to eat, drink, brush and floss.
- Your teeth will move gradually each week.
- Visit us every 8-10 weeks.
- Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.
- Average number of aligners is between 18 and 30.