Which Orthodontic Treatment is Best for You?

Aug. 27, 2010 - PRLog -- What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces (traditional-speed-lingual) appliances (expanders, tongue cribs, twin blocks and headgear) and aligners (custom made trays) are used to make these corrections by moving teeth and bones.

Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist for your care instead of your family dentist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who dedicate their practices exclusively to correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. In dentistry you have specialist just as there are specialist in the medical field (dermatologist, ophthalmologists, cardiologists, etc). Only about 6% of US dentists have the additional education required to be licensed and recognized as an orthodontic specialist.

Choices for orthodontic treatment

Traditional braces: come in metal or ceramic, the arch wire is held into place by elastics that need to be changed every 5 to 6 weeks. Appointments generally take ten minutes.

Pros-

   * Very affordable, children like the ability to change elastic colors
   * Can treat most any malocclusion (bad bite)

Cons-

   * Treatment time is the longest, visits may be slightly uncomfortable and more frequent
   * Certain food are to be avoided as they will pull the brackets out
   * Cleaning and flossing is more time consuming
   * Occasionally a wire may loosen which will require an emergency visit
   * Metal brackets are visible

Speed braces/self ligating braces: are designed to reduce treatment time and require fewer adjustment appointments. Self-ligating brackets also come in metal or ceramic, have doors that replace elastics. Different orthodontic manufacturing companies have given different names to their self-ligating brackets such as: Innovation R and C, Damon brackets, Smart clips, etc…

Pros-

   * Treatment time is reduced (by 30%) because of advanced technology
   * Visits to the orthodontist are less frequent
   * Can treat any malocclusion
   * A more gentle force is applied to the teeth, decreasing the amount of initial discomfort experienced by the patient

Cons-

   * Slightly more expensive than traditional braces
   * Same food restrictions as with the traditional braces apply
   * Cleaning and flossing are more time consuming
   * Loose wires may require emergency visit
   * Metal brackets visible
   * Must protect your lips with a mouth guard if playing contact sports

Invisalign: Consists of custom made plastic trays that gradually move the teeth. They are invisible and changed every two weeks until the last aligner. In order for Align tech lab to create these custom made trays for you, your orthodontist has to take impressions of your mouth and submit all records along with his/her prescription to the lab, where the appliances are manufactured.

Pros-

   * The aligners are removed for eating and cleaning your teeth, allowing easy brushing and flossing and no food restrictions
   * There are no emergency visits
   * Does not interfere with playing sports or musical instruments
   * Aligners are invisible
   * For patients who play contact sport, they are not required to wear a mouth guard, as they do with braces
   * Can whiten your teeth at the same time as you are straightening them

Cons-

   * Slightly more expensive than traditional metal braces (but cheaper than the ceramic braces)
   * Not everyone is a candidate for the aligners, certain malocclusion
   * Cannot be treated
   * Results and length of treatment depend on patient’s compliance by wearing the aligners at least 22 hours per day
   * Care must be taken not to lose aligners

Lingual: orthodontic braces that are placed on the back side of your teeth, so they’re completely hidden from view. (Also known as Incognito, or iBraces.) These brackets are made from gold at a special lab thus they are very thin.

Pros:

   * Completely aesthetic, no one will know you are wearing them
   * 100% customized for the best results
   * Treatment time is much shorter than any other type of braces
   * Fewer appointments to the orthodontist are required
   * Can treat any type of malocclusion
   * For patients who play contact sports, they are not required to wear a mouth guard as with braces that are placed on the front of the teeth

Cons:

   * Higher cost than any other option
   * Adjustment period may be slightly longer
   * Each visit to the orthodontist will take longer

Saba Orthodontics has been treating patients of all ages with a variety of treatment options mentioned above. Dr. Saba is a certified provider of Invisalign as well as Incognito/iBraces.

Saba Orthodontics has been treating patients of all ages with a variety of treatment options mentioned above.  Dr. Saba is a certified provider of Invisalign as well as Incognito/iBraces.  For more information on which orthodontic treatment option is best for you, visit http://www.sterlinginvisalign.info or call our office for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Saba at 703-404-SABA (7222).

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Shadi Saba D.D.S. has a state of the art Orthodontist office in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. We offer the highest in customer service and the utmost quality and care. Services include ibraces, Invisalign, TMJ treatment, and traditional braces.