Types of Braces
At Nova Orthodontics, we offer three kinds of braces:
- Traditional Metal Braces
- Clear Ceramic Braces
- Clear Aligners
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires.
With traditional braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.Â
Clear Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials that are less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene, as ceramic brackets are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts.
For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces.
Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle.
The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
Braces for Kids in Mill Creek & Mulkiteo
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children attend their first orthodontic appointment by age 7 because this is when your child’s permanent teeth are starting to erupt and their facial and jaw bones are still developing. While this may seem a bit early to some parents, early-age appointments will make treatment much easier for your child and the continued development allows the orthodontist to diagnose potential problems and create a treatment plan.
At Nova Orthodontics, we use these first appointments to perform a full evaluation of your child’s facial/dental features. By examining your child’s jaw, bite, facial growth patterns, and erupting permanent teeth, we are able to uncover alignment problems at an early stage and begin planning orthodontic work.
We may also use these initial consultations to recommend interceptive orthodontic treatments such as poor oral habit control, strategic tooth extraction, palate expansion, and muscle exercises.
With preventative treatment, your child will have a great foundation for future orthodontic work and we will be able to discuss the treatment options that best suit your child.
Benefits of Braces for Kids
Braces are a well-proven treatment for correcting misalignments, and the process of having your braces put on is simple. First, a special orthodontic adhesive is used to bond the brackets to your teeth. Once the brackets are in place, a thin metal wire called the archwire is used to thread them together. This wire allows gradual pressure to be applied by regular tightening. Adjustments are made every few weeks to adjust the tension to make the experience as effective and comfortable as possible.
Braces are designed to fit seamlessly with your child’s lifestyle and deliver the most efficient and effective results. The major benefits of braces include:
- Durable and can treat a range of issues
- Comparable in price to Invisalign
- Children have no aligners to lose
Braces for Teens in Mill Creek & Mulkiteo
Teens today lead hectic lives. Between school, clubs, sports, and other social activities, it’s easy for teens and parents to feel overwhelmed, especially when important life events happen. As a parent, it’s important to support your child by helping them stay healthy and confident — including when it comes to their oral health.
At Nova Orthodontics, our team strives to make orthodontic treatment as easy as possible for all of our teenage patients. Using the latest orthodontic techniques, we develop personalized treatment plans with maximum comfort and convenience to ensure that your treatment fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. By learning more about our innovative approach, you’ll see why we’re widely considered the best orthodontist for teens in Mill Creek and Mukilteo.
If your teenager is experiencing any of the following, an orthodontic examination may be needed.
- Crooked or overlapping teeth
- Large gaps between teeth
- Missing or crowded teeth
- Noticeable overbite or underbite
- Difficulty chewing, biting, and speaking
- Gaps between the top and bottom teeth while biting
- Speech issues
Braces for Adults in Mill Creek & Mulkiteo
It’s Never Too Late for The Perfect Smile
If you’re an adult considering braces, there is always time to get the perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Braces go beyond resolving cosmetic concerns and can be beneficial for a number of reasons, such as oral health, speech impediments, and TMJ pain. You may even be surprised to learn that around 30 percent of orthodontic patients are over the age of 21.
At Nova Orthodontics, we understand the unique needs of our adult patients and work to provide comprehensive orthodontic care that meets their individual goals. We provide different options to suit your orthodontic needs and utilize the most modern technology to ensure comfort and efficiency with your treatment. If you are seeking orthodontic treatment in Mill Creek or Mukilteo, as an adult, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Am I a Candidate for Braces?
For many adults, achieving a more attractive smile is the main reason for pursuing orthodontic treatment. Braces are often used to straighten teeth, eliminate gaps between teeth and reduce overcrowding, leading to a more visually appealing smile.
In addition to their esthetic benefits, braces are highly efficient at correcting dental issues such as bite misalignment, crooked teeth and creating space for tooth replacement. If not addressed, these problems can develop into TMJ conditions or jaw pain, making it difficult to chew, speak, or even breathe. Braces provide a permanent solution to these concerns; plus, orthodontic treatment also improves your overall oral health, making it easier to care for your smile.
To find out if you are eligible for braces in Snohomish County, we encourage you to book a complimentary consultation with our team. During this appointment, our experienced orthodontists will perform a comprehensive assessment of your mouth, use state-of-the-art digital scanning technology to evaluate your jaw’s positioning, and identify any specific areas that may require orthodontic treatment. After this assessment, we will design a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your unique needs and lifestyle choices.