Types of Braces

Metal Braces

The goal of first phase treatment is to develop the jaw size in order to accommodate all the permanent teeth and to relate the upper and lower jaws to each other. Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper and lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough can be recognized at an early age. If children after age 6 are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment.

Clear Braces

Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. This makes ceramic braces a great option for older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, ceramic braces are are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For this reason, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.

Invisalign and Invisalign Teen

Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted – without braces. A complimentary exam with Dr. Lee can determine if Invisalign is right for you.

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective.

Why would I want Invisalign®?
Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Invisalign will fit in with any of your extracurricular activities. So whether it is sports, musical instruments, or special occasions, you don’t have to worry about braces getting in the way! Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor’s office getting adjustments.

How does Invisalign® work?
You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Lee has prescribed. You’ll visit Dr. Lee about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case. Learn more about Invisalign on their web site at www.invisalign.com.