Most people know what traditional braces are; the metal brackets and wires that straighten and align your teeth and jaw. However, most people are not familiar with lingual braces. Lingual braces are when the brackets and wires are actually placed on the INSIDE surface of your teeth. Basically, they are...
You just got your braces on and the orthodontist went through a list of dos and don’ts, along with instructions for proper maintenance. One thing you did not expect was having to go back for adjustments. You are probably wondering, “Why do I need my braces adjusted?” Luckily, braces technology...
Congratulations! The day has finally arrived and it is time to get your braces off. After what felt like forever, you are finally ready to head to the orthodontist, climb into the chair, and have your braces removed, or “debonding” as we call it. Are you excited yet? Now that...
Like many things in life, braces brackets are not always as permanent as we hope. No matter how good your orthodontist is, there’s still a chance that your brackets can come loose during the course of wearing your braces. Sometimes a particular bracket can keep coming loose, leaving you wondering...
The question of “what type of braces work the fastest?” is one that we hear a lot during our free orthodontic consultations. No matter what type of braces you choose, there is bound to be some discomfort and most people want to get them on and off as quickly as...
For people who have braces, few days match the joy of having them removed. But that feeling of happiness can be interrupted when your Chicago orthodontist tells you that you need to wear a retainer. That’s right, just when you thought you were on the path to dental freedom, you receive...
This is a question we hear a lot in our office, and we wanted to take this opportunity to separate fact from fiction. Do braces cause TMJ? The short answer is that braces do not directly cause TMJ. However, the relationship between the two is not completely cut and dry,...
There are a number of reasons why someone would seek out orthodontic treatment. While the long-term health of their teeth or discomfort to the mouth and jaw are common concerns, one of the most common reasons that people seek straighter teeth is for aesthetic purposes. Basically, they are not happy...
Every parent wants their child to have a healthy and beautiful smile. For many kids, that means braces at some point during their adolescent years. As a parent, how do you know when the time is right for braces? Early Orthodontic Treatment Pros and Cons In honor of National Children’s...
We’ve written before about the best time of year to get braces and whether you’re ever too old for braces. At the intersection of those two questions is the one of when is the right time to get braces. How old should you be when you get braces? We know that...