Are you curious about how braces straighten teeth? You’ve landed on the perfect blog! Whether you are just starting your orthodontic journey or are interested in what we offer, the Booth Orthodontics team prioritizes educating patients on each step of the treatment process so you know exactly what to expect. Read on to learn more about how your teeth end up in the perfect position, what treatment options we have available, and when you can expect to start noticing results.

Why Pursue Orthodontic Treatment? 

Enjoy the Aesthetics

Realigning your teeth is a huge step in your oral health and an extremely positive one. Booth Orthodontics is proud to support patients in regaining their confidence throughout treatment and encouraging them to smile publicly. Oral and mental health have a closer connection than you may think—choosing to hide your smile can negatively affect your overall life. Our team provides each patient with the perfectly aligned teeth they deserve so they don’t have to worry about their dental appearance again. 

Enjoy General Health Benefits

Not only will your smile look amazing, but you will also enjoy incredible health benefits you wouldn’t have guessed related to your oral health, including improved digestion. When your teeth are in the perfect position, you are able to break down your meals into bite-sized pieces so your stomach and intestine don’t have to work overtime. Additionally, your body can absorb more nutrients from your food with this smoother process.

You can also benefit from more straightforward daily oral maintenance. After your teeth shift into alignment, any hard-to-reach areas in your mouth will disappear, allowing you to clean every corner. Keeping up with oral care also lowers your chances of encountering common complications like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities. 

How Do Braces Move Your Teeth in the Right Direction? 

Wires, brackets, elastics, orthodontic bands, and other brace components work together to shift your teeth into the correct position until your smile goals are reached. The positioning of these components exerts different amounts of constant pressure across your teeth. The soft tissue surrounding your teeth is stretched in different directions and forms new bones as necessary to ensure they are properly protected. 

Making Adjustments

At each appointment, Dr. Ryan will check on the condition of your teeth and how effectively they have aligned since your last visit. He will adjust and tighten your appliance as necessary to place the right amount of pressure across your teeth. As your treatment continues, Dr. Ryan and the rest of the Booth Orthodontics team get to know your teeth better and can anticipate your tooth movement.

The Phases of Alignment

1. Level and Align

We begin your treatment by lining up your teeth side by side with one another in a straight line. Depending on their original position, we may need to place pressure on them in all different directions to achieve this step.

2. Bite Issues

The next step focuses on adjusting bite issues such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Correcting these issues helps us ensure your upper and lower jaws align with each other correctly. This is a significant step as it allows your jaw and teeth to function together without discomfort, a change you will notice immediately.

3. Fine Tuning

The final step of your braces journey includes making minute adjustments to your appliance as necessary to ensure each tooth is in its perfect location. Dr. Ryan will utilize your elastics and wires to place the right amount of pressure across your mouth so no tooth moves past its ideal position.

When Do Results Become Noticeable?

Depending on the severity of your case, you may start to notice minor results within the first month of your smile journey. In the following two to three months, you will begin to notice more dramatic shifts as your teeth start to level and align themselves. Everyone’s treatment plan is unique, so we encourage you to speak with Dr. Ryan for a more exact timeframe. 

Brace treatment typically lasts one to three years, fluctuating based on your appliance choice, current oral health, age, and the work you want to achieve. You may not notice changes in your teeth every day, but they will constantly be moving, thanks to the slight pressure put on them by your braces. If you have any questions about the movement process, our team will happily discuss how it works during your next appointment.

Available Treatment Options

Metal Braces

Metal braces are a popular choice of braces at our practice! They are known for their reliability and effective long-term results. This appliance has been around for many years and has successfully treated complex oral issues. Metal braces have become more comfortable than ever with smaller brackets and slimmer wires, helping you avoid any irritation that may occur. This appliance is a cost-effective option for those needing treatment without breaking the bank.

Clear Braces

We also provide clear braces for those seeking an aesthetic alternative to metal braces. Clear braces are made of a nearly invisible tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material that blends in with your smile throughout your treatment. They use the same technology as their metal counterpart, so you can rely on clear braces to achieve your smile goals in a similar, if not faster, time frame. Thanks to advancements in the field, staining is no longer an issue with patients wearing clear braces, so you can continue to drink coffee or other dark-colored foods and drinks without worrying about your appliance changing colors.

Achieve Your Perfect Smile with Braces

Beginning orthodontic treatment can be scary, but the Booth Orthodontics team is here to make each step of the process as straightforward as possible. Whenever any questions regarding your braces or general treatment come to mind, you can contact our front desk, where our staff will ensure you get the answers you need. We provide free consultations to the Homer Glen community and those in the surrounding area. Schedule yours today!