Here at Moffett & Walley Orthodontics, we know your smile is as unique as you are. That’s why we’re committed to finding the perfect treatment option for you! These days it’s easier than ever to get a straighter smile, thanks to innovative technology that makes orthodontic appliances more comfortable, efficient, and affordable. When they’re combined with our custom-made treatment plans, braces and clear aligners offer highly personalized results patients love!
The first step in this process is a consultation with Dr. Moffett. You’ll receive a brief but thorough oral examination during this initial visit, which helps our doctors form a diagnosis and create a treatment plan built around your specific needs. This plan will include the treatment method best suited for your smile goals. To get an idea of what these options are and how they can transform your teeth, keep reading below!
Braces 101
Braces are the top orthodontic treatment, year after year, and with good reason! This familiar appliance has been around for centuries in one form or another and has a long history of successfully correcting a range of orthodontic issues. Braces are particularly effective in treating complex or severe cases and tend to work fast at closing gaps and aligning the teeth. While the average treatment time averages from about 12-36 months, small signs of improvement can often be seen in a relatively short period of time. This can be encouraging if you’re a new patient who isn’t sure what to expect from the process!
The maintenance involved with traditional braces can come with a bit of a learning curve, especially in the beginning. Your oral hygiene is a good example. Brushing and flossing regularly is an essential part of oral care, but it’s even more important during orthodontic treatment. Dental hygiene can be a little trickier with braces since you have to navigate around the brackets, wires, and bands. Patience and practice are key! We recommend that all our patients brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time and floss every night before bed.
Food restrictions are another necessary part of the orthodontic process when wearing braces. Anything sticky or crunchy needs to go on the back burner until treatment is complete since these foods can damage your brackets and wires. This can take some getting used to, but remember that nothing lasts forever—not even orthodontic treatment! All your hard work will pay off once we remove your braces and reveal a beautiful new smile.
Follow-up visits are another essential part of every treatment plan, and are typically scheduled for every 6-10 weeks or so. During these appointments, your orthodontist will check that the teeth are moving in a healthy way and change the bands attached to the brackets. They may choose to replace the wire at this time as well. Most of these check-ups are pretty quick so we can get you back to school or work as soon as possible!
You may experience some slight soreness after each adjustment, but it should resolve itself in a day or two. These appointments help us ensure the best results in the least amount of time, so if you can’t make one for any reason, let us know as soon as possible! We’ll be happy to reschedule it for you, helping to keep your treatment plan on track and our office running smoothly.
What are the different types of braces available?
The cutting-edge technology and efficient techniques available with modern orthodontics allow us to offer adult patients a wide variety of treatment options. These are more comfortable and customizable than ever before and enable our doctors to give you the results you desire without surgery or extractions in most cases. We offer the following treatments from our Clinton and Madison offices.
Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces are an orthodontic staple and with good reason! This is one of our most efficient treatments currently available, particularly for more severe or complicated cases. Modern braces use high-quality stainless steel, but innovations in the design mean they’re much more comfortable than previous versions. The total treatment time also tends to be shorter than it used to be.
These braces work the same way traditional braces do but benefit from using clear, white, or tooth-colored brackets. For an almost invisible treatment option, we can use them with matching elastics or ties! This makes them popular with our more image-conscious patients. Clear brackets are more delicate than metal braces, so we generally recommend them only for older teen and adult patients.
Invisalign clear aligner therapy
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear removable aligners to move the teeth instead of brackets and wires. These are made of a soft but strong thermoplastic resin material and customized to fit comfortably over your teeth. The aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours each day and switched out for the next in the series every 1-2 weeks for this treatment to succeed. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you can eat and drink whatever you want while you’re in treatment. Your oral hygiene routine will be a whole lot easier, too!
Find the best treatment for you with Moffett & Walley Orthodontics
Like most things in life, every treatment option has its own list of pros and cons. Not every method will be suitable for all patients, which is why it’s important to work with qualified orthodontists to determine which treatment will be a good fit for your unique smile!
When you choose Moffett & Walley Orthodontics, you’ll never find any “cookie-cutter” treatment plans. Our experienced doctors will only ever recommend the treatment that will best address your specific needs.
If you’re in Clinton, Madison, or the surrounding areas and want to learn more about our treatment options, get in touch today! We’d love to schedule a FREE consultation for you and help you take the first steps in your smile journey.