Delafield Orthodontist

Orthodontic treatment is an effective way to solve dental issues like crowded, gapped, or misaligned teeth. At Delafield Family Dental, Dr. Kelly is a general dentist with advanced training in orthodontics and has worked with patients of all ages. Whether you’re an adult interested in correcting your smile, or you believe that your child or teenager may need orthodontic treatment, we’re here to provide patients in Delafield with honest advice and quality orthodontic options.  

Invisalign

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces. It uses a plastic, aligner-based system, similar to other well-known systems such as ClearCorrect. Rather than metal braces, Invisalign utilizes a system of strong, transparent, and thin plastic aligners, which look similar to retainers. These aligners are built to move the teeth gently and gradually into a new position.

During treatment, you’ll wear each aligner for 20-22 hours per day and switch to a new aligner about every 2 weeks. Because Invisalign is removable and very thin, it does not affect speech and is often the most popular choice for patients who are older, such as young professionals who wish to avoid the social stigma of “adult braces.”

While Invisalign is a great option for some patients, it cannot correct every orthodontic issue. Major bite problems, jaw misalignment, and extremely crooked teeth typically cannot be treated with Invisalign.

Metal Braces

Traditional braces are a tried and true method of orthodontic correction. Metal braces use a system of wires, brackets, and rubber bands that are adjusted regularly by Dr. Kelly to move your teeth and correct your smile.

Metal braces can be used alongside other orthodontic treatments to correct almost any issue with bite and alignment, including:

• Improper bite (bite malocclusion)
• Crowded teeth
• Improper spacing and gaps between teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Jaw misalignment
• Improperly-erupted teeth

Usually, metal braces are recommended for teenagers and children. This is because they are more effective when the teeth and jaw are still growing, which leads to shorter treatment times. However, braces can also be used for adults who have more severe cases of misalignment or overcrowding.

How Do Braces Work? Understanding The Basics

Braces consist of three parts: brackets, archwires, and elastics.

The brackets are small pieces of metal that are bonded to your teeth with dental cement. The archwires consist of two wires. One is run through the upper set of brackets, and one is run through the lower set of brackets. Finally, the elastics are the small, strong rubber bands that loop around the brackets and hold the archwires in place.

Depending on your particular orthodontic needs, your braces may incorporate additional components like spacers, springs, and additional elastic bands. In rare cases, headgear or other such orthodontic devices may also be required. 

Braces work by using the archwire to exert pressure on your teeth and shift them toward the proper position in your mouth. Over time, this helps correct issues like gaps in your smile, crooked teeth, and jaw problems like an overbite or underbite. 

What Can I Expect When I Get Braces?

The process of placing braces is quite simple. After Dr. Kelly has approved you for treatment, you’ll come in for your first appointment at Delafield Family Dental. Dr. Kelly will clean your teeth, then use dental cement to attach brackets precisely onto your teeth based on your treatment plan. 

Once your upper and lower set of brackets are both in place, she will run an archwire through each one. Then, she will apply a set of elastics to the brackets to hold the archwire in place. Next, she will adjust the position of the archwires to begin the process of correcting your teeth.

By making precise adjustments to the position of the archwires over time, Dr. Kelly can control the pressure that is exerted on your teeth and shift them towards the proper position. About every month or so, you will need to come into our office for an adjustment.

During this adjustment, Dr. Kelly will typically tighten the wires, springs and other such components of your braces according to your treatment plan. Then, she will replace your elastics with new ones to ensure the archwires are held firmly in place. Regular tightenings ensure that your treatment proceeds properly.

How Much Do Braces Cost?

The cost of braces depends on a wide variety of factors, including the extent of your orthodontic issues, the expected length of your treatment, additional surgeries that may be required to correct issues like an overbite or underbite, and a number of other different factors.

Because of this, the cost of braces varies quite a bit depending on the needs of each patient, so it’s difficult to give you an average estimate for the cost of your treatment.

If you are interested in braces, contact the team at Delafield Family Dental for an appointment with Dr. Kelly. After your orthodontic consultation, Dr. Kelly will be able to provide you with an overview of your expected treatment length and cost. Take the first step toward a brighter, more beautiful smile by contacting us today.

Learn More About Your Options With An Orthodontic Consultation Now!

Correcting your teeth can help improve your oral health, boost your self-esteem, and even help you avoid future oral issues like TMJ/TMD. If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment, come in for a consultation with Dr. Kelly. Our experienced orthodontic dentist will provide you with a thorough oral exam and help you understand all of your options for treatment. Contact us now at (262) 646-4188 to get started, or feel free to stop by our office at 601 Poplar Path Delafield, WI 53018.