With today’s advances in technology, there are several orthodontic options that may be available to your child, family member, or yourself. When visiting an orthodontist, all the information can be overwhelming. Dr. Jennifer Messenger explains three treatment options she offers to her patients that may help make your decision a little easier.
TRADITIONAL BRACES
• Aesthetics: Visible
• Ideally For: Patients of all ages
• Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss after every meal, a floss threader is recommended
• Comfort: Temporary discomfort at the beginning of the treatment, and after some of your appointments
• Speech Difficulty: None
• Diet: Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods
• Emergencies: Some can occur such as pokey wires and broken wires/brackets
HIDDEN BRACES
• Aesthetics: Invisible
• Ideally For: Actors, models, influencers, performers musicians, travelers
• Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss normally
• Comfort: Temporary discomfort for 2 weeks, most severe around the end of the 1st week
• Speech Difficulty: May temporarily affect speech during treatment
• Diet: Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods
• Emergencies: Some can occur such as pokey wires and broken wires/brackets
INVISALIGN
• Aesthetics: Translucent
• Ideally For: The conscientious and disciplined
• Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss normally, aligners need to be cleaned to prevent discoloration and odors after every meal or snack
• Comfort: May experience mild to moderate discomfort at the be-ginning of each new aligner throughout treatment
• Speech Difficulty: May temporarily affect speech during treatment
• Diet: Aligners must be worn 22 hours a day, aligners should be taken out when eating and drinking anything other than water
• Emergencies: Minimal emergencies occur with aligner treatment.
When considering which option is best for you it is important to con-sider the following: Treatment goals, Cosmetic preferences, Lifestyle, and Oral Hygiene.
If hidden braces or Invisalign is the treatment option for you, the process of getting started differs from that of traditional braces. Dr. Messenger will first complete a digital scan of your teeth. After a thorough evaluation of your x-rays and photographs, she will then workup a digitized and custom treatment plan. Through digital orthodontics, every detail and movement are mapped out from beginning to end to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
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