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Braces are about 300 years old.
At your consultation, Dr. Yoon will examine your teeth and take x-rays to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for braces and assess the severity of your orthodontic problems.
After having an honest conversation about your orthodontic problems and goals, we will develop a treatment plan that fits your budget and schedule.
Digital and physical impressions will be taken of your mouth and teeth in our Irvine practice and sent to a dental lab that will create your braces.
After cleaning and drying your teeth, the braces will be bonded to your teeth with an adhesive and cured with UV light. The wire will be threaded through the metal brackets and bands will hold them in place.
After you have completed your treatment, you will move to the retention stage which involves wearing a retainer to prevent your teeth from shifting back.
There are 10 different types of braces.
Traditional
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets that are bonded to your teeth and an archwire that runs through them. Elastics are also used to hold the wire in place.
These braces are still the gold standard of orthodontic treatment when it comes to correcting severe malocclusions such as an improper bite. They are also the most affordable and have an average treatment time of 1 to 2 years.
However, the noticeable metal wires and brackets can cause self-consciousness in younger and older patients who are looking for something more discreet.
Lingual
Lingual braces are made of the same metal wires and brackets as traditional braces but are placed discreetly on the backs of the teeth so they go unnoticed. Lingual braces are very effective at treating most orthodontic cases but are not as suitable for severe overbites. These braces take a little longer to correct orthodontic issues compared to traditional braces.
Self-Ligating
While traditional braces utilize elastic bands to hold the archwire in place, self-litigating braces use a sliding mechanism to hold the archwire in place. This effectively reduces friction, making the braces feel more comfortable, easier to clean, and making adjustments must simpler and faster.
Ceramic
Ceramic braces are metal braces made of tooth-colored ceramic brackets and can be paired with translucent elastics. This makes orthodontic treatment nearly transparent, giving you the best advantages of traditional braces and clear aligners.
While clear aligners are translucent, they can't address severe malocclusions and take longer to correct orthodontic problems. However, these braces are more expensive.
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