Orthodontics

Many people fear the dentist, and it often stems from the fact that they don’t want to get braces. You probably wonder if your teeth are straight enough; if they aren’t, your friends are sure to call you metal mouth.

Teenagers and pre-teens do whatever they can to avoid the dentist because they fear the recommendation or referral to an orthodontist. They’ve probably got a friend or two with metal braces and cringe each time they smile.

Orthodontics primarily focuses on straightening a person’s teeth. Metal braces are often the best choice for many reasons. However, the services we offer at Ivory Dental go far beyond braces.

The residents of Albuquerque may not realize that orthodontics is about more than braces. It’s important to understand this thoroughly. With orthodontics, you can promote your oral health and even improve your overall health.

Therefore, we feel it’s crucial to discuss our orthodontic services with you and focus on the procedures we provide. That way, you’re more confident and can explain it all to your kids!

What Are the Types of Braces?

There have been many technological advancements for orthodontics. In the past, metal brackets and wires were the only choices. Now, you have:

• Metal Braces – These are still the go-to because dental insurance often covers it, they cost less, and they work well. However, they’re permanently attached to the teeth, and the orthodontist must remove them.
• Invisalign – With this treatment, you can’t see the equipment inside the mouth. They’re often more expensive, and some people aren’t good candidates for them. Therefore, you should discuss this option with your Ivory Dental dentist.
• Lingual Braces – These braces are a variation of the traditional braces and aren’t suitable for some. They are attached to the backs of the teeth instead of the front. Sometimes, people believe that they feel weird, too.
• Ceramic Braces – They’re like metal braces but use ceramic brackets to match your tooth color.

Are You a Candidate for Invisalign?

Most people can choose Invisalign, but there are exceptions. For example, if you smoke frequently and cannot or don’t want to stop for treatment, you might not be allowed to wear it. Smoking could discolor the aligners, so they appear unattractive.

You must keep them in your mouth for 20 hours each day. If you have little willpower, a more permanent solution (metal braces) might be best.

With that, some dental problems might be too severe for the Invisalign system. You can always discuss your options with the dentist to find the right course of treatment.

Is Surgery Needed?

Orthodontics focuses more on just wearing braces and the different styles and options available. We offer surgical treatment, as well. Surgery might accelerate your treatment. Typically, we use teeth-straighten surgery to help you correct underbites, overbites, and jaw misalignments. However, if a patient only has a few crooked teeth, surgery is likely not the best choice to provide the results you crave.

Surgery requires a local anesthetic. During the procedure, the dentist repositions your gums and bones that hold the teeth in place. It’s a minor surgery, but there are still risks and potential complications, such as:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Infections

Orthognathic surgery is another choice. If you’ve got crooked teeth from a misaligned jaw, the dentist might recommend corrective surgery to fix the skeletal deformities to realign everything. We can’t perform this surgical procedure in our office. You must visit a hospital and choose a maxillofacial surgeon. However, we can offer recommendations on who to choose.

Have a Straighter Smile

Do you hate going out in public where you might have to smile at others? This is a huge concern for many. Though your teeth might be strong and white enough, they could be crooked. Those with a significant underbite or overbite may find that they dislike smiling, too.

An underbite is where the lower teeth extend and cover parts of the upper teeth, whereas an overbite is where the upper teeth cover all or part of the lower teeth.

Most of the time, this isn’t a huge concern unless it’s severe. It could cause issues with the jaw and other problems.

Therefore, if you dislike smiling because of crooked teeth or other alignment issues, it might be time to think about getting a straighter smile. You don’t have to be a teenager to do this! Adults can benefit from orthodontics, too. In fact, you might be an ideal candidate for invisible braces. If not, don’t worry! The traditional braces can straighten your teeth so that you want to smile!

Everyone Benefits

At Ivory Dental, we believe that everyone has the right to straight teeth. It doesn’t matter how old you are! While tweens and teenagers often get braces, adults can receive orthodontic treatment up into their 80s. It’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of straight teeth!

If your gums and teeth are in excellent condition, you shouldn’t have problems. However, we do check to ensure that the pressure from the braces isn’t too much for your teeth to handle.

Don’t put off having straight teeth because you’re an adult. We’ve got options to help you!

Accelerated Treatments

We offer a variety of treatment options, and some of them are considered accelerated. What does that mean, though? With the AcceleDent device, you can stimulate the bone so that it remodels itself and straightens your teeth.

The device features SoftPulse technology, which works to apply gentle but consistent pressure to your teeth. You still require braces, but you may cut your treatment times significantly when using it. Often, braces take years to do the job, so any help you can get is beneficial.

However, if you choose Invisalign, you may not care how long treatment takes. No one can see the retainers, so it’s like they’re not even there. Still, you may have trouble speaking at first, so there is a learning curve!

Ready for a Straighter Smile - Call Ivory Dental

Orthodontics isn’t scary, and you don’t have to be afraid of braces. At Ivory Dental, we always focus on your needs, so you can relax and be comfortable when it comes to dental treatments. We understand that each patient is different. Therefore, we customize your treatment plan to your situation and requirements.

Residents of Albuquerque are sure to be happy that they have a safe and comfortable place to go for dental treatments. Our staff is always courteous and friendly. Plus, we work hard so that you’re comfortable, regardless of the procedure.

Please browse the available services we offer if you’re still not sure what you need. However, you may also call to request an appointment so that you can talk one-on-one with the dentist to determine the right course of action.