Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires.
With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Expander
An expander is used to widen the top jaw creating a larger bone to accommodate all the permanent teeth when they erupt and to minimize future crowding.
Forsus
The springs on the sides are part of the Forsus appliance therapy. They allow correction of an “overbite” in both adults and the later teenage years. The result is a better bite, a better smile and much improved facial aesthetics
Elastics (rubber bands)
During various phases of treatment, small elastics or rubber bands are used as a gentle but continuous force to help individual tooth movement or the aligning of one arch in relation to the other. The results expected from elastics cannot be accomplished any other way. The braces, wires, coil-springs or any other auxiliaries can not do what elastics can; very often no elastics simply translates into no treatment success!!
Elastics will make your teeth sore or tender. Usually, after two or four days, any discomfort from the elastics disappears. If you don’t wear them consistently you will never get passed that discomfort stage and jeopardize your entire treatment: teeth are never still, they go forward when rubber-bands are on and backward when they are off! Wearing them half the time is the same as not wearing them at all !!
Mara Appliance
This appliance is very similar to the Herbst appliance in what it is designed to do for our patients. It is used for patients that have their upper dentition located excessively ahead of their lower teeth, creating what is commonly referred to as an overbite; this usually associated to discrepancies in the location of the maxillary bones that hold the teeth more than the teeth themselves. It is commonly used in growing patients. It is an alternative to Head Gear and that is the reason why it is popular in our office where we strive to avoid any unsightly Extra Oral Force like Head Gear.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns.
While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
Habit Breaker
An appliance used to discourage a habit such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Pendex
This is a combination appliance designed to expand the top jaw while moving some back teeth in order to improve the relationship of the upper and lower biting surfaces. This is usually used with braces during full orthodontic treatment.
Head Gear/ Face Mask
These are perhaps the appliances most hated not only by our patients in general but by our staff and Doctor. Although agreeably unsightly, these appliances are also recognized to offer great benefits no other appliance can. They connect the inside of the mouth with support locations in the outside (back of the neck, chin, forehead, etc), and are used to move or hold teeth and in some cases even to manipulate the growth of the bones that hold those teeth.
If your treatment includes face-mask / head gear and you want to get rid of them as soon as possible:
- Wear the appliance from 12 to 14 hours per day.
- Some temporary discomfort may be experienced during the first night or two. Molar teeth may become tender and even a little loose. That is all normal.
- Once you start this treatment you must keep it up. Wear your appliance as prescribed. Leaving it off for only one night may require many extra nights to make up! If you think the option of Face-Mask/ Head-Gear is a bit too radical, remember, plan B is always a bit harder: other options include the removal of teeth and even jaw surgery in many cases.
- Please do not wear your head gear/ face mask during rough play or sports. This could result in injury.
- Handle your appliance carefully. Never try to pull the headgear off without first unhooking the safety strap which is attached to the outer bow. Protect the bow when not in use by keeping it in a safe place. If a band cemented to a tooth becomes loose stop wearing the headgear and call us to set an emergency appointment.
Invisible Braces
Clear appliances (such as Invisalign®) use a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten your teeth. And, no one can tell you are wearing those aligners because they are invisible! Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
This technique has gained outstanding popularity in the last few years, we are very proud and excited to offer it for you at our practice. However, it is important for us to educate our patients about the limitations that it has. If this appliance technique were as great as it sounds, traditional metal braces wouldn’t be as popular as ever today! Although it is a great alternative to conventional braces, it is recommended only some patients and, what is most important, in some cases, it can only be recommended if agreeable compromises are acceptable for the patient.
TAD (temporary anchorage device)
It serves as an anchor for moving specific teeth in the most controlled and predictable way possible. TADs are made of a sterile medical-grade titanium alloy.
They eliminate cumbersome appliances (e.g., headgear) and allow us to treat certain cases better and faster than ever before. TADS are truly revolutionizing orthodontic treatment.
Temporary Anchorage Devices are screws specially designed to be implanted on the maxillary or mandibular bone with out any complicated surgical procedures, sometimes, although not always, with out even injections of anesthesia! They are temporary and take out once the desired movement is accomplished. The entire procedure takes only a few seconds
Lingual Arch/ Transpalatal Bar
This appliance is specifically designed to hold teeth in a particular position.
Testimonials
Gabby Franco (GabbyFrancoDotCom)2024-03-15Thank you so much, Dr. Reddy and staff, for your dedication to providing an outstanding service. I have learned a lot. The most important lesson I've learned through my experience in bettering my smile is that while we (patients) have an idea of what we "want," it does not always align with what is best for us. I trusted Dr. Reddy's initial assessment despite being different from what I "thought I needed," I cannot be happier with the results two years after that initial appointment! My husband will be next! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Undra Graves-Guyton2024-03-15All Smiles Orthodontics is the best. Dr. Reddy and her staff treat patients like family. Very flexible and easy to make appointments. The text message reply for a missed call is an awesome line of communications. Overall great experience!!!
Aaron Naca2024-03-15Absolutely wonderful service, all the ladies are extremely caring and attentive to all your needs. They made me love my smile instead of being embarrassed.
Eri2024-02-26The whole staff is amazing made my braces transition a wonderful experience!! 100/100
Ever Noe2024-02-21They have helped me a lot to perfect my smile and I am pleased with the outcome
Jonathan-M2024-02-06The people are always try to make appointments painless as possible and I am happy with the process of getting the smile I wanted
Hendrick Pena2024-01-08Super great place! They gave me a beautiful smile. Very friendly staff as well.
tiavonda reese2024-01-08Great experience! Dr. Reddy and staff did an excellent job, I love my new smile!
Floyd Bailey2023-11-21I had a good experience. They are loyal and will make sure you receive the results you want and more. Good environment and outstanding service.