Ask most people what they know about orthodontic braces, and they’ll probably sum it up by saying, “You get them as a kid to straighten your teeth.”

Which isn’t wrong, of course, but just a very small part of the total picture.

At Tenbrook Orthodontics, we offer a wide range of services and products available for patients ranging from young children to well into adulthood.

Here’s a look at facts you may not have known about braces.

Braces fix your bite – while braces certainly straighten crooked teeth, one of the main reasons to get braces is to fix a “malocclusion” or imperfect bite. A perfect bite is one in which the teeth are straight with just enough space in between, the back molars meet in such a way to permit thorough chewing and the top teeth slightly overlap the bottom teeth.

A misaligned bite can cause headaches and problems chewing, and can also affect your smile. Tenbrook braces bring your bite back into alignment and give you the perfect smile.

You should get an early orthodontic examination by age seven – you may think you have to wait for all your child’s adult teeth to come in fully. However, by seven years old enough of a person’s adult teeth are in for Dr. Tenbrook to determine both current problems and developing ones. Children may be candidates for early treatment.

The amount of time you need to wear braces is shrinking – braces apply pressure to your teeth and jaws over a period of time. Most treatment lasts between one and three years. Two years is the average length of treatment.

However, advancements are being made all the time. For example, Tenbrook T1 & T–Clear braces use the most advanced technology and highest quality materials and can lessen the time you have to wear braces to one year.

Braces are easy to see on your teeth – while traditional braces are made completely out of metal, not counting the rubber bands, clear braces are partly made of plastic or ceramic with metal wires that can be hidden behind the teeth, making your braces difficult to spot.

At Tenbrook Orthodontics we offer both Invisalign braces and T-Clear. Our T-Clear braces are more discrete, virtually invisible, and resistant to staining and discoloration all throughout treatment.

Adults are wearing braces – More and more orthodontic patients are adults, making up close to half of all braces wearers. And why not? A great smile and correcting conditions such as a bad bite are important at any age. With the options for clear and invisible braces available, adults are taking the plunge for a great smile. There is no age limit. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, you could benefit from getting your teeth straightened.

You will need to wear retainers afterward.

After your braces come off, your orthodontist will make a mold of your mouth and produce a set of retainers. The type of retainer you need depends on your case. Depending on your treatment, after a few months, you may also only have to wear the retainer at night.

There will be a little pain – the good news is that most pain associated with braces comes when they are first applied and your mouth has to get used to them. The actual fitting rarely hurts, but the new sensations and pressure against your teeth may cause soreness. Normally, however, this pain goes away after a few weeks. At Tenbrook Orthodontics, we offer a host or braces options that are some of the most comfortable available.

Consultations are free – your initial consultation by Dr. TenBrook is free. Call our office for an appointment 1-877-SMILE10!