Traditional Braces in San Diego, CA
As a member of the American Academy of Functional Orthodontics, Dr. Friedman is proud to offer reliable traditional braces. This powerful treatment can handle even the most severe orthodontic cases in most situations, gradually and safely realigning teeth and bite positions. Dr. Friedman will place a series of brackets on your teeth and connect them with an archwire, which will use precise pressure to move your pearly whites into their ideal positions over time. Traditional orthodontic treatment has advanced by leaps and bounds over the decades, and Dr. Friedman will ensure your treatment goes as smoothly, quickly, and comfortably as possible.
Discreet clear aligner systems like Invisalign have become incredibly popular in recent years, but they can’t always do what traditional braces can. As a time-honored way to straighten smiles, traditional braces in Scripps Ranch, CA are by far the most versatile and reliable orthodontic solution available today. Whether you or a loved one are dealing with gapped, crowded, or generally crooked teeth, our expert team at MOD Squad Dental can most likely help with traditional braces. Get in touch with us today to learn more!
With traditional braces, small metal brackets are cemented to the front surfaces of each of the teeth. Then, your dentist in Scripps Ranch threads a sturdy wire through all of these brackets. Since this wire, known as the archwire, wants to maintain its natural shape, it exerts just enough pressure on the brackets to gradually shift the teeth into new positions.
Throughout this process, our dentists will periodically tighten the wires to ensure your teeth and jaws are moving as planned into the proper alignment. While the exact length of your treatment with braces will vary, it takes most patients between one and three years. During your consultation, we’ll provide you with an estimated treatment timeline.
One of the main benefits of traditional braces is that the metal wires and brackets can address several orthodontic problems, often at the same time. These issues include:
Bite Misalignment
When you bite down, do your upper and lower teeth not quite come together correctly? Whether you’re dealing with an overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite, or another bite alignment issue, braces can bring both rows of teeth into the proper positions. Not only will you end up with a more even-looking smile, but you might also have an easier time chewing and speaking.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
Teeth that are crowded, overlapping, or otherwise crooked can seriously hinder your self-confidence. Worse, the nooks and crannies among them are difficult to clean, so they can harbor food debris and bacteria, increasing your risk of tooth decay. By applying pressure to specific areas with traditional braces, our dentists can evenly space out your teeth, leading to a healthier and more confident grin.
Gapped Teeth
Even if small gaps between your teeth aren’t an aesthetic issue to you, they can still trap bits of food that attract harmful bacteria. Traditional braces can create a more conventionally attractive smile and lower your chances of cavities by expertly closing these spaces.
Taking good care of your braces is essential in making sure your treatment goes according to plan. After all, the last thing you want to do is extend your treatment time by damaging a bracket or wire. To minimize that risk, make sure to follow our dentists’ guidelines closely. They’ll likely recommend that you:
- Brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every day. You may need to purchase special flossers or interdental brushes to fully clean under your braces.
- Avoid foods that are particularly chewy, sticky, or crunchy.
- Wear a mouthguard whenever you participate in sports-related activities.
Attend regular checkups so that we can evaluate your progress and adjust your braces.
If you’re ready to correct any orthodontic issues, then one of the best ways to do this is with traditional braces in Spriggs Ranch. Although you can expect to achieve a perfectly straight smile with this treatment, it’s normal to want to know as much as you can before committing to it. To help you feel more confident about the process, our team at MOD Squad Dental has compiled the most commonly asked questions we get about braces from our patients. Read along or give us a call if you’d like to know more today!
Do Traditional Braces Hurt?
You might experience some mild soreness in your gums and pearly whites at the beginning of your orthodontic process. This is because the braces will be gradually shifting your teeth to a more aligned position, which can sometimes feel slightly uncomfortable. Fortunately, these sensations are usually temporary and should vanish on their own. However, you can help manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers and sticking to softer meals. You might also consider using orthodontic wax to protect your lips and other soft oral tissues from damage and irritation.
What Can You Not Eat with Traditional Braces?
We highly recommend that you maintain a soft-food diet for at least the first week after getting your braces. Your teeth will be getting used to the metal wires and brackets, which may feel sore with the pressure from eating. Munching on hard or crunchy treats can also damage your wires, brackets, or elastic bands. Here’s a list of several foods you should avoid:
- Popcorn
- Chewy, sticky, or hard candy
- Chips
- Nuts
- Corn on the cob
Can I Chew Gum with Traditional Braces?
While gum may not be hard or crunchy, it can get stuck between your braces easily. This can potentially cause your wires to bend or your teeth to shift unexpectedly. Some studies have shown that chewing gum can relieve discomfort during orthodontic treatment as well as reduce any gum inflammation. It can even lower the risk of tooth decay if done after eating, as it can help remove debris and food particles from between your braces. Though chewing gum may have some benefits, you may want to avoid any risks that can also come with it.
Am I Too Old to Get Braces?
Although you may associate braces with children and adolescents, you won’t have to worry about an upper age limit for undergoing the treatment process. Fully matured teeth may be more firmly rooted in the jawbone, but they are still just as malleable as teenage pearly whites. You’ll also need to ensure your oral health is in good condition before you can start wearing braces, as any issues will need to be addressed first. If you do have certain dental issues, then we may recommend preliminary procedures like fillings or periodontal disease therapy. Some dental insurance policies also may not cover braces for adults, so be sure to consult your provider about the details before committing to the treatment.