Do you have crooked teeth, an underbite or overbite? If you haven’t already, you may want to talk to Dr. Adams about getting braces. We offer comprehensive family dental care at Bridge Dental and can provide consultations, implementation and maintenance of braces for all of our Charleston patients. Braces were developed to align and straighten teeth so they correspond to one’s bite, creating a corrective process can be taken together that aims to bring about better dental and oral health.

There is no age limit on getting braces, because it is a mechanical process of moving teeth; however, the process may take longer in adults due to the fact that adult bones are no longer growing. This should not deter a potential patient who wishes to correct their bite or their smile.

There are different types and methods of braces, from the traditional wire braces to progressive, removable clear aligners. Traditional wire braces are the most commonly used type of braces. They involve steel or titanium brackets to be glued to teeth, which are connected by an archwire, which can create additional care issues and place limitations on excellent college essays the types of foods the wearer can enjoy.

The wearer of the braces’ teeth adjusts and move because of the pressure from the archwire. Because traditional braces are attached to the teeth, they can attract food and plaque, which can stain teeth if not brushed away. If you do have this form of braces, we recommend brushing after every meal or snack with fluoride toothpaste and carefully removing any food that may be stuck in your braces.

A more modern choice is clear aligners – the most recent development in braces technology. These are clear, removable dental braces which have a more gradual straightening process. Because they are removable, the patient is not limited to food choices and can clean their teeth as they normally do, as well as the braces themselves. While clear aligners should not be used for complex orthodontic procedures, they are a wonderfully viable option for the average person. They are virtually invisible, which has cosmetic practicality for everyday life.

Compared to traditional wire braces, clear aligners are more comfortable and are hypoallergenic. Clear aligners may not be the ideal fit for young children who have not had their molars come in yet; they’re certainly a perfect fit for teens and adults. If you’re interested in correcting your smile, contact Dr. Adams at Bridge Dental to set up an appointment: (843) 225-0111.