Clear Braces Provide Discreet Orthodontic Treatment

Traditional braces straighten your smile gently over time using brackets and wires. Some patients find the look of this hardware undesirable. For patients who prefer a more discreet option, we offer clear braces. At the Glenside and Doylestown offices of L&M Orthodontics, Drs. Calvin Lee and Samuel Meyrowitz provide a range of orthodontic care, including clear braces. This treatment is as efficient and effective as traditional braces, but is preferable for many patients. To find out if this treatment is right for you, schedule an appointment at L&M Orthodontics today.

How Clear Braces Work

Clear braces are comprised of a few pieces of hardware that work together during treatment. They include ceramic, clear, or tooth-colored brackets, tooth-colored wires, and O-rings.

Your ceramic brackets are secured to your teeth with a special dental cement. The arch wire will attach to each bracket, held in place using elastic O-rings. The gentle pressure the wire places on the teeth gradually moves them into alignment.

As your teeth begin to shift, the surrounding periodontal ligaments that support them will expand on one side and constrict on the other, allowing your teeth to settle into their new positions. Your jaw bone will change to support your teeth in their new positions.

Maintaining Clean, Clear Braces

To ensure that your teeth and braces stay clean and free from bacterial plaque build-up, you will need to maintain excellent hygienic care at home. A member of our team will teach you how to clean in between and around your brackets and wires, which requires some special techniques. Ceramic is naturally stain-resistant and durable, but hardware can collect food particles and bacteria easily without regular care.

Advanced Technology for More Effective Treatment

We will strive to keep your treatment time as short as possible. One option we offer to shorten your treatment time in braces is the AcceleDent™ System. AcceleDent™ stimulates your jaw and tissues so they can more quickly adapt to the changing alignment of your teeth.

AcceleDent™ is a handheld instrument that fits over your braces. You will apply the device for 20 minutes a day as it emits tiny micropluses. These micropulses provide stimulation to your jaw and tissues for faster treatment.

In addition to AcceleDent™, our orthodontists provide temporary anchorage devices (TADs). TADs are miniature implants that serve as an anchor for more difficult orthodontic movements. Your orthodontist will attach a small chain or wire that will work with the TAD to apply moderate tension, guiding a tooth into proper alignment. TADs are easy to apply and can effectively move a tooth in less time than braces alone. Not every case requires TADs. We will determine if this treatment is right for you during your consultation.

Determining the Right Treatment

Orthodontic treatment can provide a wealth of benefits, but some patients find that the metal brackets and wires involved in traditional orthodontics make them feel self-conscious. Clear braces allow you to achieve the same outstanding results with a more discreet orthodontic option. Contact L&M Orthodontics to learn more about how you can benefit from clear braces.