Braces in Gainesville

If you’re unhappy with your smile, they are a solution offering permanent results. You will also enjoy better dental health with straight teeth as they are easier to keep clean. If you want to learn more about braces in Gainesville, please call us and request a consultation with our dentist. He or she can go over the process with you and tell you what to expect. Right now, about four and a half million Americans, including one million adults, are wearing orthodontic appliances, so you won’t stand out.

Who Do I See About Getting Braces?

Your dentist is the best person to talk to about orthodontic issues. He or she can advise you on the best solution to get the smile you want. You want a dentist you feel comfortable with as you will see him or her often for adjustments for at least one year. Your dentist will create a customized treatment plan to help you reach your goals in the shortest time possible. He or she will also advise you on the least noticeable option if appearance is your primary concern.

How Do Dentists Put Braces on Teeth?

Orthodontic appliances made from ceramic or metal go on your teeth the same way. Our dentist will clean your teeth and make sure they are dry. He or she will glue a bracket on each tooth and run the archwire through the brackets. The glue isn’t harmful, but it does not taste good. The wire is secured with rubber bands. You usually get to pick the color bands you want. The process takes about an hour. If you opt for clean aligner trays, you won’t need brackets, archwires or rubber bands.

What Are the Types of Braces I Can Get?

There are traditional metal braces, which are highly effective and affordable. If you have a very severe alignment issue, your dentist will most likely recommend a metal orthodontic appliance. The brackets are smaller and less noticeable than in the past. Ceramic braces have tooth colored brackets, so they are less noticeable than metal ones. Invisible braces are clear aligner trays that are virtually invisible. You switch out the trays every two weeks or so to gradually move your teeth into alignment. The trays are removable so you can eat and brush your teeth, making them very convenient.

All braces and invisible aligner trays work by applying constant pressure to the teeth. With metal and ceramic appliances, the wires move your teeth and clear aligner trays gradually move your teeth to fit in the next tray. The pressure put on your teeth goes up the tooth root to your jaw. The tooth socket moves in your jaw and your teeth move along with the socket. While many patients don’t care too much about how their orthodontic appliance works, they care about the results. Very few things can provide the same boost in self-confidence like attractive, straight teeth.

How Much Do Braces Cost?

There’s no standard cost for braces as the treatment is highly personalized. The type of braces you choose, along with the length of your treatment, will determine your cost. If you have dental insurance, it may cover a portion of your cost. We also offer flexible financing to make your orthodontic treatment more affordable. Your dentist can estimate your total cost during your consultation.

How Long Will it Take to Get Braces?

Getting orthodontic appliances put on takes about one hour. Getting clear aligners is a faster process; your dentist creates a 3D image for the lab that makes the aligners so they can create a series of trays for you. The process for getting traditional braces isn’t painful, but you may feel a little sore afterward. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to relive any soreness, which will subside in about one week. You’ll wear your braces for about one to two years. The more severe your alignment issues, the longer you will wear your appliance.

Will I Have to Wear a Retainer Afterward?

Once your braces dentist removes the brackets, he or she will talk to you about wearing a retainer. Retainers are necessary to maintain your results. If you had a metal or ceramic orthodontic appliance, your dentist will take an impression of your newly straight teeth and have a dental lab create a custom retainer for you. If you wore a clear aligner tray, you still need a retainer that is usually a duplicate of your final tray. Typically, you wear your retainer at night, possibly for several years, to keep your teeth from shifting back to their original position.