BRACES-BRACES-BRACES!

Face it! You’re obsessed with your smile. It’s a proven fact. You’re proud of your smile if your teeth are white, straight and without gaps. But if any one of those things is off you might become self-conscious and hide your most prized way of greeting people. There is a remedy; braces. But there is another reason to go through the process of wearing braces besides vanity – your mouth, teeth and gums will be healthier.

If your teeth are aligned properly they’ll be easier to clean and you’ll be less likely to need fillings or develop gum diseases if your teeth are clean and plaque free. If you suffer from chronic neck pain or headaches it could be because your jaw is misaligned and braces can correct that as well. They can also help bring back natural chewing and keep teeth from wearing excessively.

Of course you’re reluctant to take the plunge to fix that smile because you have visions of being having a “silver smile”…the “tin grin”… or being called “metal mouth”. Well those days are long gone. Today’s state-of-the-art braces and retainers have made great strides in doing the job without ruining your smile, comfort or speech in the process. Traditional metal braces still have there place but you now have options:

• Clear Braces – Porcelain braces feature tooth-colored brackets which are made of a glass-like composite material which looks translucent.
• Gold Braces – These are actually stainless steel overlaid in gold.
• Lingual Braces — Similar to traditional metal braces, lingual braces go behind your teeth so they are virtually invisible.
• Mini Braces – 30 percent smaller than traditional metal but just as strong.
• Removable Braces – Removable braces are mouth guard-looking appliances which are made from clear plastic. Invisalign® dental aligners are the most common type of removable braces.

Let’s take a closer look at one of these alternative braces.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to straighten your front teeth without needing to wear braces, now there is a cost efficient, simple alternative for you called the Red, White and Blue system by Allesee Orthodontic Appliances. Made of lightweight, clear plastic it still has the strength to move your teeth over time till you get the results you want.

You’ll find they won’t inhibit your speech are comfortable to wear and perfect whether you’re a student, a professional or on the go parent RWB devices are less expensive and easier to use than other treatment systems. For those that may pass on treatment because of cost this makes an affordable option.

The system was developed to treat minor problems dealing with spacing, rotations, torque and tip in the anterior teeth. It uses a series of three active appliances, which work to move the teeth to the desired position. The sequence of using them is easy to remember – red to white to blue (blue being the last one and the retainer) – and the process takes about 2-4 weeks.

The technician will pour models from impressions taken of the maxillary and mandibular arches. Once the model is made the teeth you want to affect will be cut out of the mold. After each correction period, the tech will then create another appliance for a total of 3.

RWB is an excellent choice to use to move teeth before cosmetic work or veneers to keep from “over-prepping” teeth.

Some advantages to RWB braces are:

• Lower cost
• Won’t effect speach
• Can make corrections relatively quickly

Disadvantages to these braces are:

• Can only correct minor rotations, spacing or crowding
• The models are simulated by the techs not a computer or CAD
• Can only be used for anterior macillary or mandibular 6 teeth

So if you only need small cosmetic improvements to get that smile you want without the necessity of wearing braces, the almost invisible Red, White and Blue no-braces system could very well be the treatment for you. A quick evaluation by the Technicians at Glenwood Smiles will tell if you’re a candidate for this low cost, easy to use system. If so, you can have that brilliant new smile in just a few months. Contact us today for an evaluation.