A lot of the people who come to Specialty Smiles want straighter teeth but are worried about how traditional metal braces look. We absolutely understand why you are worried. That’s why we’re happy to offer clear teeth braces in North Miami as a less obvious option. You can now straighten your teeth without the obvious metal brackets and wires that have been around for years thanks to these new orthodontic solutions.
Clear braces, often called ceramic braces or clear braces, use brackets constructed of clear or tooth-colored materials that match the color of your teeth. From a distance, these braces are far less noticeable than regular metal braces. You can additionally frost or color the wires to make them even less visible. For a lot of our teenage and adult patients, this is the perfect balance between getting the therapy they need and looking good.
A lot of people ask us what the difference is between clear aligners like Invisalign and transparent braces. Both are less noticeable than metal braces, but they work in different ways. Just like regular braces, transparent braces use brackets and wires to stay on your teeth during therapy. They’re great for people who need the exact control that bracket-and-wire systems offer. On the other side, clear aligners are trays that you can take out and change every one to two weeks. There are pros and downsides to each strategy, and we can help you figure out which one would work best for you during your appointment at our North Miami location.
The first step in getting clear braces is to have your teeth and jaw looked at very carefully. We take pictures, x-rays, and either physical impressions or digital scans of your teeth. This lets us see your teeth in their current position and helps us design a treatment plan just for you. We’ll talk about your goals, explain how the treatment works, and give you an idea of how long it might take.
We clean and dry your teeth very well before putting on your clear braces. After that, we use a special glue to stick the clear brackets to the front of each tooth. We put the archwire through the brackets and hold it in place with small elastic bands once they are secure. The whole thing usually takes one to two hours and doesn’t hurt, but you might feel some pressure.
After you have your braces, you’ll have to come to our office often to have them adjusted. We assess your progress and make any necessary changes to keep your teeth advancing toward their ideal locations during these appointments, which normally happen every four to six weeks. These changes are very important for the treatment to work. Some patients feel a little uncomfortable for a day or two following adjustments as their teeth start to move. However, over-the-counter pain medicines are usually enough to help with any pain.
Taking care of clear braces is a vital part of their use. You need to pay a little extra attention to transparent or tooth-colored braces since they can stain. We suggest that you stay away from or limit meals and drinks that are known to stain, like coffee, tea, red wine, and sauces made with tomatoes. If you eat these things, it’s best to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth well afterward to help keep them from getting stained.
When you wear any kind of braces, you need to take care of your teeth. Food can easily become stuck around brackets and wires, which makes it more likely that your teeth will rot and your gums will get sick. We recommend that you clean your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush after every meal. It’s also crucial to floss every day, even if it can be hard to do with braces. Using special orthodontic instruments like water flossers or floss threaders can help with this. During your orthodontic treatment, it’s still necessary to get regular dental checkups and cleanings.
The length of time you need to wear clear braces depends on a number of factors, such as how complicated your case is and how well you stick to your treatment plan. Most of the time, patients wear braces for 18 to 24 months. Some problems are easier to solve than others, thus they could take less time to fix. Following all of our directions, such as wearing any elastics as advised and keeping all of your appointments, can help make sure that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible.
We at Specialty Smiles think that offering a variety of orthodontic solutions is the best way to satisfy different demands. We offer more than just clear braces. We also offer Braces for Kids and Invisalign. Traditional metal braces may still be the best solution for younger individuals or those with very complicated orthodontic problems. We talk to each patient one-on-one to figure out the best way to help them.
You will need to wear a retainer after your braces come off to keep your teeth straight. This is an important step that keeps your teeth from slowly moving back to where they were before. You might only wear a removable retainer at night or have a permanent retainer glued to the back of your teeth, depending on what you need. Using a retainer regularly, especially in the first year after your braces are taken off, is very important for long-term success.
When you buy clear teeth braces, you’re not just buying a better smile; you’re also buying better oral health and more confidence. Our office staff can assist you understand your benefits, since many dental insurance policies cover certain orthodontic treatment. We also have different ways to pay so that our patients can afford their treatment.
If you’re thinking about getting clear braces for your teeth, please come to our clinic for a consultation. At Specialty Smiles, our skilled staff will look at your unique needs, go over all of your alternatives, and help you choose the best orthodontic treatment for you. We are proud to offer customized care to the people of North Miami in a warm, welcoming setting. We look forward to helping you get the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.