After your first examination and completion of initial records, we will be happy to discuss all of your options. We are proud to offer several different treatment options for straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. We understand the importance of showing you all of our options and discussing them thoroughly with you. We want you to find the best treatment option for you, no matter what you choose.
We are proud to offer the following services to achieve the smile of your dreams:
- Adult Treatment
- Clear Aligners
- Ceramic braces
- Early Treatment
- Invisalign
- Retention
- Braces For Teens
- Traditional Braces
Adult Treatment
No matter your age, you deserve a smile that gives you confidence. Braces are not just for children anymore. With the latest advancements in technologies, we can get you the smile you deserve!
Here at Martha's Vineyard Orthodontics, we work hard to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. We offer several different treatments that can be effective no matter how old you are. More and more orthodontic treatments are becoming available to give adults the smile that they want.
Orthodontic treatments are not just for your smile. Fixing your teeth can also dramatically change your oral health. When you have crooked teeth or a malocclusion (uneven bite), you may be prone to oral health problems such as gum disease and tartar buildup.
If you want to improve your smile, we always start with a thorough examination and x-rays. We will then discuss your options, including different forms of braces, aligners, and retainers. We will also talk about the treatment plan, what you should expect, and the cost. Finally, we will guide you through your insurance coverage to find out if you can be covered for all or part of your treatments.
It is never too late to have a smile that you love to show off. Contact us today to discuss your options! You won’t believe how quickly you can see a change in your smile with the appropriate treatment.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are the newest and increasingly popular choice for aligning teeth. The aligners are invisible and removable, making them a top choice for teenagers and adults. The system uses clear, acrylic trays that straighten teeth just like braces and are much more comfortable.
Clear aligners are nice because you can remove them to eat, drink, brush, and floss your teeth as normal.
Clear aligners need to be worn as much as possible and need to be cleaned and adjusted regularly for optimal results.
Ceramic braces
Here at Martha's Vineyard Orthodontics, we are proud to offer Ceramic braces for our patients. Most teens and adults are reluctant to get the orthodontic care they need due to the appearance of orthodontic appliances. That’s why we offer Ceramic braces, which are much less noticeable than stainless steel braces, but still give patients a smile they deserve.
Clear aligners are not the same as Ceramic braces. Clear aligners are plastic trays that you wear over your teeth, like a shell. Ceramic braces are just like stainless steel braces, but they are almost invisible.
Ceramic braces have many advantages. They are almost invisible, giving patients who do not want the look of traditional braces another alternative.
After a thorough examination with X-rays, we will be happy to discuss all of your options for orthodontic care. We will go over the advantages and disadvantages of each so that we can determine the right course of treatment.
Early Treatment
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. The results are often better than if we wait and will require significantly less work. We may not need to keep braces on your child for as long when they are younger, which means less expense for you.
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices that there might be a problem, or before they are seven years old. We may not have to do anything at this age, other than monitor the child’s mouth. However, if we continue to watch your child, we can start treatment right away if something arises.
Early intervention can be beneficial. We will watch how your child’s mouth and teeth grow and develop, so if we see something that needs to be done, we can do it as soon as possible. We will also know exactly when to start treatment, if needed.
Early treatment allows us to do the following:
- Make room for the permanent teeth when there is overcrowding
- Ensure facial symmetry
- Reduce trauma when the front teeth are protruding
Early treatment also reduces the need to remove teeth and the time patients must wear braces. According to AAO studies, skipping orthodontic treatment can lead to the following:
- Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear.
- Open bites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.With proper and timely orthodontic treatment, you may have the following benefits:
- A healthier mouth since crowded teeth can be hard to brush causing cavities and gum disease.
- Fewer broken teeth since protruding teeth are more likely to get broken.
Invisalign
Martha's Vineyard Orthodontics is proud to offer Invisalign®. Invisalign® is a wonderful, modern alternative treatment to braces. You can straighten your teeth without installing stainless steel in your mouth. Instead, we use plastic trays (also known as aligners) to move your teeth back into place. Each aligner is custom made to fit your mouth so you don’t have to worry about mouth irritation or anything else that traditional braces can cause.
Since the aligners are removable, they are easier to keep clean. You can also continue to brush and floss your teeth without trying to avoid harming your braces.
Invisalign® is also popular because the aligners are clear, so most people don’t even know you are wearing anything unless you tell them. If you have considered straightening your teeth but don’t want to bother with braces, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (508) 693-0505.
Retention
After you have worn your braces for the appropriate amount of time, we move into the retention stage of your treatment. It is very important not to skip this step or all of your hard work will not pay off as you had hoped. Your teeth may move back instead of staying in place.
During retention, you will have to wear retainers as your teeth adjust to staying in their new place without braces. You should wear your retainers as recommended by your dentist. Some can be worn only at night, while others need to be worn almost all of the time.
It is really important that you continue to brush your teeth while you are in this stage. All you have to do is remove your retainer, and then you will be able to brush your teeth better than you were able to when you had braces. You should also brush your retainer before placing it back to your mouth.
Braces For Teens
Braces are not as scary as most teens think. Technology has advanced a lot in recent years, providing us with newer styles of braces. The result is a faster, more comfortable, and more effective treatment. Braces come in different colors, styles, and materials, so your teen can customize their look and express their personality.
For example, it depends on how early we catch the problem, what needs to be fixed, how your teeth respond to treatment, and how willing you are to follow directions.
It is typically recommended that children begin seeing an orthodontist at the age of seven. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier the problem can be to treat. There are also times when we find a problem, but may have put off treatment until they are older.
You are a key factor in how well your braces work. You need to take care of your braces and other appliances, as well as follow all directions to ensure a smooth and speedy treatment.
How long you need to wear braces depends on what needs to be fixed. Some problems are minor and just need small adjustments, while other malocclusions (bad bites) are more complicated and take longer to fix. Every patient responds to treatment differently. Some teeth move quicker than others, so a treatment that takes one person only a few months may take another person longer.
There are also several types of braces including traditional stainless steel, ceramic, lingual, and invisible.
Another common question that teens have is regarding food. Essentially, you’ll need to avoid chewy, crunchy, sticky, and hard foods. Corn on the cob, apples, carrots, and other hard foods that you need to bite into should be avoided or should be cut into small pieces before consuming.
Braces are quite common in teenagers. We offer several different styles and design choices to make the experience as fun as possible. It’s always important to remember that braces are only temporary, and will leave you with a dazzling, life-long smile!
For more information or to request an appointment, contact us today at (508) 693-0505.