Traditional Braces – Metairie, LA
Transforming Smiles the Safe and Reliable Way
Traditional braces have a reputation for being one of the most effective and reliable orthodontic methods of treatment. Although consisting of metal brackets and wires, their versatility in being able to fix a wide array of common dental problems has helped both older teens and adults turn their dream smiles into reality. At Nelson Dental Care, you don’t have to worry about receiving a referral for treatment. As a dentist in Metairie, Dr. Nelson and his team provide start-to-finish treatment in house, making it an easier, more convenient process for you and/or your child. If you’re tired of living with a less-than-perfect smile, give us a call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Nelson today!
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
The first step in receiving traditional braces is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nelson. During this appointment, he will examine your oral cavity and facial structure, identifying problem areas and formulating a personalized treatment plan. He will go over the process of wearing metal braces and how they will work to shift and improve your smile throughout your treatment.
Once you agree to the recommended plan, he will capture impressions of your teeth and schedule an appointment to have your braces put into place.
After the metal brackets and wires are affixed to your teeth, you will begin to notice how they work together to apply just enough pressure to move your teeth into alignment. Now, this doesn’t happen overnight, but even after a few months of wear, you will be able to see and feel a difference in your smile.
Whether it is to close the gap or increase space between your teeth, straighten crooked teeth, or realign your bite to reduce excessive wear and tear and chronic jaw pain, your braces will move everything into its proper place and give you the smile of you want and deserve.
Who is a Good Candidate for Traditional Braces?
Whether it is you or your teen who needs traditional braces, it is important that there are no signs of tooth decay or gum disease before treatment. This can make the process a bit more complicated should braces be applied when oral health isn’t in the best of shape. It’s best to let Dr. Nelson address these issues before moving forward with orthodontic treatment.
Depending on why it is you need traditional braces, it may also be possible that Dr. Nelson recommends tooth extraction, especially if you have teeth that could hinder the success of your orthodontic care. This is most commonly seen in individuals with severe overcrowding.
Tips for Day-to-Day Maintenance
On average, you can expect to wear your braces for 12-24 months, so during that time, you will need to adjust to the new appliances in your mouth. To do this, here are a few tips that can help:
- Maintain a good oral hygiene routine of brushing your teeth after every meal or snack. Remember to brush above and below your brackets to ensure food particles are removed from all areas of your teeth.
- Use waxed floss or a floss threader to get between your teeth and under the wire. This may take some practice, so if you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask us. We’re here to help!
- Purchase an interdental brush if you have gapped teeth, as this will help you get between your teeth more easily. You might also try a water irrigator.
- Avoid eating anything chewy or sticky, as this can adhere to your braces and cause them to become loose. Also, anything hard or crunchy can lead to a broken bracket or wire.
- If your soft oral tissues become irritated by the brackets, place a small portion of wax over the metal, creating a barrier between your braces and soft tissues (i.e. lips, cheeks, tongue).
What Are the Benefits of Traditional Braces?
Apart from the realization that you will have a smile you can finally be proud to show off to others, traditional braces offer a host of additional benefits you may not have considered before. Some of these include:
- Improved oral health: When your teeth are straight and in proper alignment, you reduce the risk of developing a multitude of dental problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), or even bruxism (teeth grinding).
- Boosted confidence: When your smile looks great, it helps you to feel even better about yourself. Since it is often the first thing people notice when meeting, having perfectly aligned teeth will help you to make a good first impression.
- Versatile orthodontic solution: When individuals seek alternative methods of treatment for common orthodontic problems, it is no surprise that when they are not eligible for services like Invisalign, dentists recommend that they try traditional braces. This is because they are extremely versatile.