Year after year, the field of orthodontics continues to grow to accommodate the needs of a wider and more diverse range of patients. As orthodontic treatment becomes more modern, the list of available treatments gets longer, more practical, and more discreet. Now, Coppe & Sears offers three unique treatment methods that straighten teeth with style and comfort.
From braces for children to clear aligners for adults, orthodontic treatment has never been more versatile. The different types of braces all come with their own pros and cons, so the team at Coppe & Sears is here to simplify the benefits to make choosing a treatment that much easier. Keep reading to learn more!
Fixed & Removable Appliances
There are two types of orthodontic appliances available to patients seeking orthodontic treatment: fixed appliances and removable appliances. Both treatment types are meant for different orthodontic needs and conditions, and Dr. Sears takes his time to determine the right course of treatment for each patient who walks through the doors.
Fixed appliances, like clear and metal braces, are attached to your teeth and cannot be removed until your treatment is complete. Removable appliances like Invisalign’s clear aligner system are worn for 20-22 hours daily and can be removed easily for meals, sports, or brushing teeth.
Aside from the obvious differences, Invisalign removable aligners are best for treating mild to moderate orthodontic problems. Our doctors usually recommend fixed appliances like clear and metal braces for more severe and comprehensive issues.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces have been around for a long time, and they’re probably the most recognizable symbol of orthodontics. These orthodontic workhouses have a long history of successful treatment and are great at correcting many oral issues.
In the past, metal braces may have been awkward and obvious, but modern metal braces are much smaller, more discreet, and more comfortable than ever before. Using a system of brackets and wires, our doctors straighten patients’ teeth by adjusting the connective wire over time. These adjustments typically occur every eight weeks and help shift your teeth in line for the perfect smile.
Treatment time depends on the severity of your condition but typically ranges from 18-30 months. Metal braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues, so they typically work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments, potentially shortening treatment time.
Metal braces are a cost-effective option because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces make them one of our most popular treatment options year after year.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are also called ceramic braces or aesthetic braces, and they work in the same way as metal braces. Designed to provide patients with a more subtle treatment option, clear braces use white brackets that blend in with the natural color of the teeth for a less noticeable effect.
Most patients’ biggest concern is staining. The ceramic material doesn’t stain, but the glue beneath the bracket might, so some patients avoid certain foods. However, by maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, patients should not have to worry about staining.
Many patients choose clear braces over traditional metal braces because they provide the best of both worlds. Clear braces are both a durable treatment plan that works for all orthodontic conditions and a more aesthetic option that keeps treatment a secret from the world. For older teens or adults, clear braces are an excellent choice to meet all orthodontic needs.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Straightening teeth with Invisalign can be a great option for patients who want the least noticeable treatment available. Using a series of customized clear aligner trays, Invisalign straightens smiles without the bulky brackets and wires of traditional metal or clear braces.
As the most flexible treatment option, Invisalign allows patients to straighten their teeth without changing their diets or oral hygiene routines like they would have to with metal braces. The team at Coppe & Sears offers Invisalign for teens and adults alike.
Invisalign for Adults: Many adults seeking orthodontic treatment want to straighten their smiles as discreetly as possible. Dr. Sears recommends Invisalign for adults with a variety of common dental issues.
Invisalign for Teens: Made just for teens, these clear aligner trays make it easy to straighten teeth discreetly and effectively. They come with special buttons on the back of the trays that change color when teens wear them for the appropriate amount of time. This built-in compliance feature helps our doctors ensure that teens keep up with their treatment plans.
Who Benefits from Orthodontic Treatment?
Braces and clear aligners are excellent options for people of any age, condition, or background. During the initial free consultation, Dr. Sears assesses each patient’s unique orthodontic condition to determine whether they are a good fit for braces and, if so, which type.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children attend their first orthodontic appointment at the age of seven, but about one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult.
Braces are a great way to treat conditions like
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Impacted teeth
With a wide variety of treatment methods and the skills to put them to work, the team at Coppe & Sears can correct any of the above issues, so all patients feel confident in their smiles.
Choose Coppe & Sears
Coppe & Sears combines the power of pediatric dentistry with orthodontics to give patients in Lexington the convenient smile experience they deserve. With four doctors and three unique treatment plans, Coppe & Sears is the place to go for straight smiles. Schedule a consultation today to get started!