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Standard Braces
Braces Basics
Standard orthodontic appliances or braces have four basic parts- brackets, arch wires, bands and ligature ties.
Brackets used in orthodontic treatment today are a great deal lighter and smaller than ever. They are bonded to each tooth with a tooth-colored bonding adhesive. The brackets serve as guides to hold the arch wire in place and to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Arch wires are those wires you see that connect the brackets. Arch wires get changed periodically throughout your treatment, as this is how tooth movement ultimately is carried out- by using arch wires that gradually increase in size during treatment.
Bands are the metal rings that sometimes go around the molars and/or bicuspids. They provide more strength to aid in moving the front teeth. We try to use the least amount of bands as possible.
Ligature ties are made of very small elastic bands or metal wire. Their purpose is to hold the arch wire in place connecting to the brackets.
At Aesthetic Orthodontics, we offer standard orthodontic braces and are proud to also offer Damon brackets. These brackets are self-ligating, meaning they do not require plastic or metal ties, which allows for faster tooth movement with less discomfort, fewer appointments, and shorter appointments. They also reduce treatment time. Treatment typically is completed about six months quicker with Damon brackets than with brackets requiring ligatures.
Metal Braces
We offer mini metal braces (Ormco Mini Twins) and metal self-ligating braces (Damon Mx & Damon Q’s) as a treatment choice. Color ligatures are very popular with these metal braces, and we have every color under the sun. We have seen pink & white for Valentines day, green and red for Christmas, black and orange for Halloween, purple and gold for the Lakers, so if you can think of it we can make it for you. At AO we always have the most advanced cutting edge braces to offer our patients. Technology not only has resulted in orthodontic materials that are lighter, but it has also made them smaller while continuing to do all the work that regular braces.
As new techniques and materials develop, we will offer these solutions to our patients to allow us to straighten your teeth with fewer visits, less discomfort and more cosmetically appealing options.
Gold Braces
For those who view braces as a personal accessory, a way to express themselves, show off their personal taste and to have fun with their treatment, gold braces may be the orthodontic option for you.
Lots of people love the dramatic look of a gold-enhanced smile. But looks aside, gold remains one of the most reliable and durable materials known to man. That means it’s a great choice for functional and cosmetic reasons. We would love to show you our inside (incognito) and outside gold braces (Ormco). If you are into gold then these are the braces for you.
Removable Aligners
Perhaps you need orthodontic treatment, but still want people to notice your smile instead of your braces. If this is the case, Invisalign may be an ideal option for you. Invisalign uses a series of removable, clear plastic aligners to gradually shift your teeth into their ideal position. While you are in Invisalign treatment, you can eat whatever you want and you can brush and floss your teeth normally, because of the ability to remove the aligners when needed. If you would like to learn more about this orthodontic treatment, please visit our Invisalign and Invisalign Teen pages.