Braces for Adults & Children in Edina, MN

Types of Braces

Research has stated that 45% of the population would benefit from wearing braces. Over four million Americans every year wear orthodontic braces, and one million are adults. Just a few of the benefits that are the result of correcting your teeth with orthodontic treatment are: Braces help teeth alignment and will improve biting and chewing, braces help with the proportions of your teeth, they will improve your speech, they can help prevent cavities and tooth decay, and they will help with bone erosion. Possibly the biggest benefit is the impact it will have on you or your child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. This is the direct result of the perception of a healthy smile and its role in establishing your personality. Your orthodontist may recommend any of the following types of braces or dental appliances based on the age of the patient and the lifestyle considerations.

When it comes to orthodontic treatments, there are several different options to choose from. Choosing the right type of braces for you does not need to be difficult. After an evaluation and a consultation your orthodontist will make a recommendation of the type to consider that best fit your needs and helps move your teeth into the ideal alignment, in the most convenient manner for you. There will be some that are more appropriate for different types of orthodontic conditions than others. Following is the five most common types of braces used today for adult braces.

Traditional Metal Braces

Metal braces have two basic components. These are the metal bracket that is fastened to each tooth and the bendable metal arch wire that is threaded through the brackets to apply pressure to the teeth to move them. This is the type that most teenagers wear, because they are the least expensive and are can be the most effective in moving teeth quickly.

Heat-activated arch wires are a relatively new additional to traditional metal braces. These utilize your body heat in your mouth to move the teeth quicker.

Metal braces have progressed since earlier days and are now lighter in weight and structure than they used to be. They are made from a high-grade stainless steel and are attached to each tooth using a type of cement. Many teenagers like the ability to choose the color of the rubber bands around each bracket, giving them an opportunity to make a fun statement with some personalization.

Some types of braces have brackets that do not need these O-rings, and these are called self-ligating braces.

Ceramic Braces

These work in the exact same way as metal braces, but the brackets are a clear, transparent ceramic material that blends into the natural color of the teeth. This type is just as effective as traditional braces at achieving the movement of teeth into desired positions, but are much less noticeable due to their color, which makes them a more favorable alternative for adult braces. Many orthodontists would also use wires that were the color of the patient’s teeth, so the entire treatment would be virtually impossible to see.

Ceramic braces are still offered today. While they are more expensive than traditional braces, they are far less noticeable and offer you a faster treatment than can be found with treatments like Invisalign. Like your natural teeth, however, the brackets can stain if you are not diligent and practice good daily oral hygiene. The ceramic braces and metal wires often had the same level of discomfort as traditional metal braces do.

Lingual Braces

Essentially the exact same as the metal braces, except the arch wire is on the inside of the teeth, instead of on the outside. They can be just as effective as traditional braces, whether they are metal or ceramic, but they cannot be as easily seen. They can be spotted when you open your mouth, they are far less intrusive and likely to be noticed than brackets and wires on the front of the teeth.

This type has the obvious advantage of not being as visible because they are hidden behind the teeth. However, they are less effective and can take longer to achieve desired tooth alignment. They may also be uncomfortable for you as they come into direct contact with the tongue. They also tend to be more difficult to clean.

Clear and Removable Aligners

Invisalign is the most popular and the most effective system of invisible aligner “braces”. While they are not ideal for everyone, they do provide a variety of benefits, including the ability to completely remove the clear plastic aligners when necessary. They are essentially invisible and once you get used to wearing them, they can be far more comfortable than metal braces. The system involves a series of clear plastic aligners that resemble mouth guards, which are digitally custom-made for you. They are removable for eating and cleaning, and you change them out every two weeks. They must be worn about 22 hours a day for effectiveness. Each new aligner continues the gentle pressures to move your teeth .25 millimeter further. Most individuals require between 18 and 30 different aligners to achieve the desired result.

The clear aligner system is popular for adult braces because they are almost invisible and allow greater freedom to eat and drink anything. However, they are more expensive.

Self-Ligating braces

Like traditional braces, self-ligating braces make use of the same bracket and wire system. This type of braces uses brackets with clips that hold on to the wire, instead of the rubber band tie system. These braces are considered to hold on to less food and be less painful than other types of braces, and they are also supposed to reduce the number of trips to your orthodontist.

This type of braces has similar efficacy to traditional metal braces and may increase control over the appliance, leading to more precise tooth alignment. However, they are often more expensive and are still quite visible.

Ceramic Braces

Our smile is an invaluable asset individual to each of us. It has been proven to be foundational to our personalities. It has a direct impact on our levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. This then influences our personal relationships, our social circle interactions, and our professional encounters.

Crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth can make you feel uncomfortable about your smile. They can also interfere with the way your teeth work. Orthodontic treatment, like braces, can help you get the attractive, functional smile you deserve. Thanks to continued technological advancements in the dental industry you now have the option of wearing braces that are far less noticeable. Ceramic braces are one of these options for you.

Are you a good candidate for ceramic braces?

Ceramic braces can be a viable solution if your adult teeth have come in and you have mostly stopped growing. This ensures a quicker correction and a smaller chance of the brackets breaking due to the strain of tooth movement.

Ceramic braces are a good choice if you want your braces to be more subtle. They are the color of your teeth making them less noticeable. If you are an adult, and you want the performance of the brackets and wire system, then this makes them ideal for the straightening of your teeth because you do not want to draw attention to them.

Ceramic vs. Traditional Braces

The effectiveness of ceramic braces will depend on the severity of your correction. For example, traditional metal braces are still more effective treatment if you have extreme overcrowding. If you have severe misalignments your orthodontist may suggest you need traditional braces.

Ceramic braces are a great option if you do not severe misalignments. After an evaluation, your orthodontist will let you know if you are a good candidate for these braces. They will also let you know if your treatment time will be extended by choosing these braces.

Some Benefits of Ceramic Braces

Here is a quick breakdown of some of the pros and cons of ceramic braces, especially compared to traditional metal braces.

Pros

• They are less visible than metal braces. The ceramic material used in these braces can be either clear or tooth colored.
• They move teeth faster than clear aligners trays. Also, clear-alignment trays do not work for severe cases of misalignment.
• You can choose your colors. Metal braces only come in one color: gray or shiny metallic silver. Ceramic braces are available in nearly any color imaginable to match your teeth.
• They do not interfere with imaging tests. Metal braces can disrupt signals in imaging tests.

Cons

• They are more expensive than metal braces. Ceramic braces may cost at least $1,000 to $2,000 more than metal braces.
• They may cause gum sensitivity. Ceramic brackets are larger than metal brackets. This can make it harder to clean around your brackets.
• They are slightly less durable than metal. Ceramic braces are more than twice as likely to break off or fracture.
• They move teeth slower than metal. Because they are more fragile, having to make incremental adjustments at each appointment can delay the straightening process.
• They may stain. The elastic ties holding the wire to the brackets can stain easily and remain stained until they are replaced at your next appointment.

Caring for Your Braces

Tiny elastics, known as ligatures, hold the wires to the brackets. It is possible for these ligatures to become discolored. Highly pigmented foods can leave stains. Highly pigmented drinks as well.  Smoking can stain the ligatures too. Try to avoid these foods and drinks to keep your ligatures looking their best. If the ligatures do get stained, it is not the end of the world. Your orthodontist will change the ligatures when you go in to have your braces adjusted.

To keep your braces looking their best, remember to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Of course, it is also important to floss once a day. Flossing with braces can certainly be challenging, but you can use an orthodontic floss threader to maneuver the floss underneath the wires of your braces.

The Cost of Ceramic Braces

Traditional metal braces can cost an average of $5,000 to $6,000. Ceramic braces will be a bit more expensive. If you choose ceramic braces you can expect to pay about 10% more. Of course, the cost of your braces will vary based on the amount of correction you need, the number of appointments, and the type of braces you choose.

If you are interested in straightening your teeth with braces, talk to your orthodontist. They can evaluate your situation and advise you on the next steps to take to have a beautiful and healthy smile.

Lingual Braces

There are so many different options available for you to get your teeth straightened, but one you may not be aware of are lingual braces. What are lingual braces and how are they different from the other types? With over 4.5 million people in the U.S. now wearing braces in pursuit of correcting their teeth it is best to know and understand your options for both your correction and your lifestyle.

What Are Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces are placed on the inside of the teeth, by your tongue and your palate, rather than in front, and therefore offering a terrific cosmetic alternative if you want your teeth straightened, but without the braces visibly evident.

The application process for lingual braces involves first taking an impression of the teeth, which is sent to a dental lab and used to create customized brackets. Once completed this now allows the orthodontist to use a specific process to cement your brackets onto the inside surfaces of your teeth.

Like traditional metal braces, this option works by applying gentle yet continuous pressure on your teeth, to help them slowly shift into the desired position. The treatment can take anywhere from 18-36 months, depending on the severity of your correction.

Orthodontic braces are certainly worth the investment, but lingual braces have some special requirements. Because they are custom made, they will cost a little more and the treatment tends to be more involved. Through the duration of the treatment, it is more difficult for the orthodontist to apply the necessary changes to the arch wire since it is now on the inside of your teeth.

Are Lingual Braces Right for You?

Not everyone can wear lingual braces and there are some additional challenges not found in traditional braces. First, your teeth need to be long enough to provide adequate room to glue the brackets on the inside of the teeth; therefore, lingual braces may not work for a youngster or someone with especially small teeth. You will be advised to not choose this option if you have excessive bite problems.

Lingual braces can be a bit more difficult to get used to than traditional braces because of how it affects your tongue. You may find that swallowing without using a tongue thrust, placing the tongue between your teeth when swallowing, is difficult, and speaking might be a little tricky. It will be helpful to consciously practice not using a tongue thrust when swallowing by gently touching your teeth together and then swallowing. For talking, you may need to consciously consider over-enunciating certain words for a few weeks after getting your braces.

Sometimes the overall treatment time using lingual braces is longer than with traditional braces, but this is relative both to your orthodontist and to your cooperation in caring for your teeth and braces while wearing them. You will need to be even more diligent about cleaning your teeth, because the inside placement of lingual braces makes it harder to see whether you have gotten rid of all the food particles when brushing.

Taking Care of Your Lingual Braces

Lingual braces can also irritate the tongue and may cause it to become tender. Using dental wax against your lower teeth to cover the braces can help alleviate this soreness.

Ultimately, professional dental cleanings every six months are critical to your health with braces. Daily dental habits such as brushing twice a day and flossing daily will prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.

Having a great and healthy smile is worth any temporary inconvenience and expense of braces. If you are indeed hesitant to invest in them despite the difference they can make — lingual braces might be your answer to this problem. Whether you can see them or not, find out which braces are right for you. After all, a beautiful smile with healthy, straight teeth is absolutely worth the effort! The range of options start with the traditional metal braces, then moving to the inside to minimize the visibility but to still get the effective results. You can switch to clear or plastic brackets and arch wires, but they are not as effective regarding treatment time. Finally, you can go with the new clear plastic aligner system. These trays are removable for your convenience, but they still must be worn 22 hours a day for effective treatment. Options for you, your correction, and your lifestyle.

As with all the orthodontic appliances, good at home oral hygiene is essential to ensure that gingivitis or tooth decay do not sneak in. Proper dental hygiene should include:

• Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes.
• Using a soft round-bristle toothbrush to brush at the gumline and the teeth.
• Flossing daily (floss threader can also be used) or an interproximal brush (if space between the teeth is present) to remove plaque and food debris between the teeth.
• Using an oral irrigation device to help flush out food debris around the brackets and teeth.
• Rinsing with a fluoride rinse to strengthen the teeth.

Lingual braces may end up being your perfect compromise. The treatment time will fly by and you will have a healthy new smile for the rest of your life.

Clear Braces

Clear or transparent braces have become a popular choice when it comes to wearing orthodontic braces because of the aesthetic benefit when it comes to clear braces versus traditional metal braces.

Clear braces vs. Clear Aligner Trays Invisalign braces

Let us clarify the difference. Clear braces are literally like conventional metal braces but with clear brackets. Sometimes they include clear arch wires as well. Clear or invisible aligner trays are also in this category since they also are made from clear material.

Both types of braces do an effective job of straightening misaligned teeth in an unimposing way. The differences are in the way they perform, how they look, the comfort factor, and how much they cost.

There is no need to feel self-conscious about wearing braces as an adult. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, quite a few adults get braces. More specifically, over a million adults are wearing braces every year and the number is on the rise.

Clear braces vs. metal braces

As with conventional metal braces, clear ceramic braces are attached to each tooth with brackets and then connected with an arch wire. This system is effective in treating all kinds of tooth misalignment.

Clear brace brackets are made from either a clear ceramic material or a plastic polycarbonate.

Most clear systems still use a metal wire to connect to the clear brackets, but you may have the choice of substituting a white arch wire. These are usually more expensive but have the benefit of making the braces even less obvious.

Through careful placement of the brackets, your orthodontist can apply pressure to your teeth in all directions to push or pull them into proper alignment. Treatment usually takes 18–24 months depending on the amount of your correction necessary.

Traditional systems, metal and clear, require an orthodontist to tighten and adjust the wire on a regular basis. Users often report sore teeth for a day or two after each tightening.

On the other hand, newer self-ligating systems use an advanced technology wire which automatically adjusts gradually during the duration of your treatment. This results in a more comfortable experience for you and reduces the number of checkups needed.

While you are wearing clear ceramic braces, you will need to take a little extra time to keep your teeth clean, especially the places that are hard to reach with normal brushing.

Who can wear clear braces?

Teeth correction with orthodontic braces is often more effective in the teenage years because the teeth and jaw are still developing. This does not mean you cannot wear braces as an adult because many adults do undergo orthodontic treatment with great results.

With the technological introduction of the clear tray aligner systems, it has changed many adult’s conceptions of wearing braces.

One thing that may limit your choice of clear braces is the severity of your case. For example, clear aligners can treat about 90% of orthodontic cases, but in the other 10% where your teeth are badly misaligned, braces which use a wire and bracket system might be your only option. By scheduling an appointment and an evaluation your orthodontist will be able to determine and suggest your best treatment.

Tooth-colored ceramic braces are a good compromise for people who want a subtle way to straighten their teeth. The choice between clear and tooth-colored braces may come down to the natural color of your teeth.

If your teeth are naturally lighter you may find that transparent braces are the least noticeable option. If you have darker tooth shades, the tooth-colored ceramic material many be a more natural match. Apart from this, these two types of braces function in the same way.

How do clear aligners work?

The new transparent aligner systems are a completely different solution for straightening teeth. They consist of a series of digitally designed, clear plastic aligners or trays which fit snugly over the teeth. These trays are custom made from 3D scans. The trays are designed to be worn 22 hours a day for two weeks and then replaced by the next one in the series. The gentle pressure applied is about .25 millimeters for each tray. The obvious benefit is that they are removable for eating and brushing as well as possibly a professional speaking engagement as an example. You may want to remove your aligner for important meetings or special occasions and clear aligner braces offer this flexibility.

They are also far less noticeable than any kind of fixed braces, even those with clear brackets, so they are the perfect solution if you want to straighten your teeth discreetly.

The clear aligners require discipline and willpower. They must be worn 22 hours a day for effective treatment.

You have options that will match your situation and your lifestyle. Schedule your evaluation today and capitalize on that invaluable asset, your healthy smile.

Invisible Braces

Recent dental technology advancements have delivered options for orthodontic corrective measures to improve your teeth. You no longer need gray metal brackets and wires for straight teeth and a revitalized smile. Invisible braces have become an attractive alternative to conventional wire and bracket braces. There are several options of which each offer a minimal appearance.

While invisible braces may not be appropriate for some misalignment cases or complex bite problems, invisible braces can be used to treat the following conditions:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowded or widely spaced teeth
• An overbite

Invisible braces work well for adults and older teenagers but are not recommended for smaller children. Children needing orthodontic treatment will require traditional metal braces with brackets and wires on the front of the teeth. Your dentist or orthodontist can determine if you are a candidate.

The Three Types of Invisible Braces

Popular types of invisible braces include ceramic brackets, inside or lingual braces and clear aligners. Ceramic braces are just like traditional metal braces, except that they use tooth-colored brackets and tooth-colored wires rather than metal. Usually non-staining, the tooth-colored ceramic blends with your teeth, making them less visible than metal, but yet not as invisible as lingual braces or clear aligners. Each alternative has its advantages and disadvantages.

1. Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are made of composite materials that are weaker and more brittle than their metal counterpart. Ceramic brackets are larger than metal brackets and require small rubber bands, or ligatures, or built-in spring clips on self-ligating brackets, to hold them to the arch wire. Because the ligatures are white or clear, they can stain. However, staining is not a big problem because these ligatures are changed every time you get an adjustment.

Also, like metal braces, ceramic brackets are not removable until your treatment is completed, they can produce irritation and discomfort, and they do complicate regular tooth care, eating and speaking.

Because they are not as strong as metal braces, clear braces require a little longer treatment time, since a slower, more gradual pressure is needed. Ceramic brackets also are usually more expensive than traditional metal brackets.

2. Lingual Braces

Inside braces are attached to the back of the teeth so they are hidden from view. The brackets and the arch wire are on the inside of the teeth, not immediately visible. This makes them appealing to people who are often in public and might feel self-conscious about wearing clear aligners or metal or ceramic braces on the front of their teeth. Removable clear aligners can be misplaced or lost, therefore delaying treatment. Lingual braces remain on the teeth throughout the treatment schedule. Speech, comfort, maintaining dental hygiene and removing dental plaque may be challenging with this option.

3. Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a series of clear, removable aligners digitally designed for your teeth to provide virtually irritation-free treatment with minimal adjustment discomfort. Clear aligners are nearly invisible and minimally invasive. With clear aligners, there are no brackets or wires to break and poke. Clear aligners can be removed for eating, drinking and special events, making it much easier to both brush and floss your teeth consistently.

Since clear aligners are removable, they will require self-discipline. To fulfill the treatment schedule, the trays must be worn 22 hours a day for two weeks and then the next tray will take over. While comfortable, clear aligners will still cause discomfort, particularly at the beginning when new aligners are placed and exert pressure on the teeth to move them.

Clear aligners are made after your orthodontist takes a three-dimensional scan of your teeth. This scan is put into software that identifies a starting point and then desired results. From there the software is input into a CAD/CAM system which produces the clear plastic trays. Each tray is designed to apply .25 millimeter of pressure to move the teeth. The number of aligners needed will depend on your specific orthodontic problem. You will wear each new aligner set for a specified amount of time, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

Length of Treatment

The length of treatment depends on your amount of correction and the type of invisible braces you have chosen. Usually, most braces are worn from 18 to 24 months.

Metal braces work the quickest because they are made from the strongest materials. Ceramic braces, while better looking, often take more time because they are not as strong as metal braces. Lingual braces also can take more time to work effectively.

The treatment times with clear aligners vary depending again on the amount of correction and different specifications from the clear aligners’ manufacturers. 20 aligners to 32 aligners at two weeks apiece shows the variance.

Cost of Invisible Braces

The cost of invisible braces is about the same or a bit higher than traditional metal orthodontic treatment, which can range from $2,500 to $7,000. Your specific invisible braces cost is determined by factors that include the type of braces chosen and duration of treatment needed for your desired correction.