Types of Braces

How do braces straighten crooked teeth?

Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your "ideal" bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment.

The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side gives way. The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind.

Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day.

iBraces ("lingual" inside braces)

The iBraces Appliance System is a new generation of orthodontic braces for teens and adults.  It is the only 100% customized, invisible, fixed appliance system available on the US market.  Because no two people are alike, no two sets of iBraces Appliances are alike - and since iBraces Appliances are placed behind your teeth, no one will know that you are wearing braces unless you tell them!

The iBraces Appliance System is 100% Customized

These unique braces are created using state-of-the-art technology and are 100% customized to the shape of your teeth and to your dental situation.  They have the unique prescription that your orthodontist creates for you built-in to ensure you get the results that you want.  You get efficient, effective tooth movement and great aesthetics.

Almost anyone can wear the iBraces Appliances

The iBraces System has been used to treat men and women ranging from the age of 13 to 60 .  Most people who can be treated with regular braces can be treated with iBraces Appliances.  Contact us today to find out if they are the right treatment option for you.

Who wears the iBraces Appliances?

• Adult professionals
• People who want to avoid damage to the front surfaces of their teeth
• People who are concerned about wearing braces that show
• Musicians who play wind instruments
• Adults and teens playing contact sports
• People who are told that Invisalign aligners won't work for them

Call us for more information or go to www.ibraces.com

Translucent clear ceramic braces

These are the most popular with adults. You have to be very close to someone to be able to see them. Yet, because they are a ceramic material, they are more fragile.

Call us for more information or go to www.iceclearbraces.com

Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets. You wear each set of clear aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed. You'll visit your orthodontist or dentist about once every six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

How does Invisalign work?
Dr. Lee will utilize 3D computer imaging technology to demonstrate the complete treatment plan from the initial position to the final desired position. This imaging technology is then used to design an individualized series of custom-made aligners. The patient wears the aligner for about two weeks while the teeth move incrementally. After two weeks, the current aligner is replaced with the next one until the final position is achieved.

What do aligners look like?
Aligners are clear and nearly invisible. If you've ever seen clear tooth-whitening trays, that should give you a good idea of what the aligners look like. Invisalign aligners are custom-made to fit and move your teeth.

Will the treatment be painful?
Each time you change to a new aligner, there may be some temporary discomfort while your teeth adjust to their new position. This is completely normal, and is a good sign that the treatment is working.

Will wearing Invisalign aligners affect my speech?
Some people are affected more than others, but most adjust in a short period of time to the feeling of the aligners and do not have permanent changes in their speech.

How often will I have to wear my aligners?
Invisalign only works while you're wearing the aligners. It's recommended that you wear your aligners full-time, day and night, except to eat, brush, and floss your teeth.

Call us for more information or go to www.invisalign.com

Damon braces

The Damon System is not just a new product, it's a whole new way of treating patients. Conventional treatment often requires removal of healthy teeth and/or the use of palatal expanders to make space. This approach is often uncomfortable, takes longer, and can leave a narrower arch and a flat profile. Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces, and are specifically designed to improve the overall facial result of each patient.

Dr. Lee combines three key components, which when used together, deliver faster treatment, fewer appointments, greater comfort, and consistent high-quality results:

1. Damon passive self-ligating braces that eliminate the need for elastic or metal "ties". With Damon tie-less braces you can experience treatment without tightening.
2. Light high-technology shape-memory wires that move teeth faster and require fewer adjustments.
3. A new clinically proven treatment approach that aligns your teeth and enhances your facial aesthetics – with fewer extractions or rapid palatal expanders.

Conventional braces on the left are tied in with elastics, which cause friction and pressure, making treatment slower and less comfortable. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the wire, which allows teeth to move more freely, quickly and comfortably.

Damon braces are designed to be discreet, comfortable and easy to keep clean. Without the elastic ties which attract and collect plaque, Damon braces make dental hygiene easy during treatment.

Call us for more information or go to www.damonbraces.com

Traditional Metal Braces

These are the most popular with kids and teenagers. They love using different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than ever before.

Removal appliances ("retainer" type)

Removable appliances are not utilized to treat all orthodontic problems. It takes skill, and experience to recognize conditions that will respond favorably to removable appliances. Since removable appliances can easily be taken out by the patient, there may be a tendency not to wear them as we have prescribed. This means your teeth, jaws and muscles may move back toward their original positions.

Once the active period is completed, your braces are removed. The next step is called retention. Retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. You must wear your retainer as instructed, otherwise your teeth may move toward their original positions and the benefit of wearing your braces will be lost.

Dr. Lee will determine how long you need to wear your retainer. Time varies with each patient. Some people may need retainers for an extended period of time in order to eliminate shifting of the teeth. In some cases, permanent retention may be necessary. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected!

Remember, wear them in your mouth, not in your pocket. Retainers work when you follow our instructions.

Clean your retainers! After meals, clean all parts of the retainer with a brush.

Handle your retainers with care. Retainers are easy to lose. If you take your retainers out, always place them in your retainer case for safety. More information on caring for your retainers.