The world of orthodontics is constantly changing, and with modern advancements in technology, our Foley Orthodontics team now offers four different types of braces for you to choose from! Depending on your orthodontic condition, you could get traditional metal braces, clear braces, clear aligners, or InBrace Hidden Treatment to give you the smile you deserve.
Wondering which one to choose? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn about the different braces types and who benefits from care at Foley Orthodontics.
Fixed vs. Removable Appliances
We offer two categories of treatment options: fixed and removable appliances. Fixed appliances like metal braces, clear braces, and InBrace Hidden Treatment are attached to your teeth and cannot be removed until your treatment is complete. Removable devices like Invisalign’s clear aligner system are worn for 20-22 hours daily and can be removed easily for meals, sports, or brushing your teeth.
Aside from the obvious differences, Invisalign removable aligners are best for treating mild to moderate orthodontic problems. Dr. Foley usually recommends fixed appliances for more severe and comprehensive issues.
Who Benefits From Orthodontic Treatment?
Braces and clear aligners are excellent options for people of any age, condition, or background. Dr. Foley will assess your unique orthodontic condition at your first consultation and determine whether you’re a good fit for braces.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children attend their first orthodontic appointment at the age of seven, but about one in every five of our patients are adults. Anyone of any age can benefit from braces. Braces are a great way to treat conditions like:
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Impacted teeth
With a wide variety of treatment methods and the skills to put them to work, our team at Foley Orthodontics can correct any of the above issues so you can feel confident in your smile.
Clear Aligners
Straightening your teeth with clear aligners can be a great option if you want the least noticeable treatment. Using a series of customized clear aligner trays, clear aligners straighten your smile without the bulky brackets and wires of traditional metal or clear braces.
As our most flexible treatment option, clear aligners allow you to straighten your teeth without changing your diet or oral hygiene routine like with metal braces. We offer clear aligners for children, teens, and adults alike.
Clear Aligners for Teens: Made just for teens, these clear aligner trays make it easy to straighten teeth discreetly and effectively. They come with special buttons on the back of the trays that change color when your teen wears them for the appropriate amount of time. This helps Dr. Foley ensure they’re keeping up with their treatment plan.
InBrace Hidden Treatment
InBrace is your modern solution for straightening teeth with convenience, comfortability, and aesthetics. Dr. Foley’s InBrace treatment uses a customized SmartWire that fits behind your teeth, so no one will ever know you’re seeing an orthodontist. It works so well that you might even forget you’re undergoing treatment!
Using a personalized SmartWire designed just for you, this treatment plan works without the brackets and wires of traditional braces. There are no monthly tightenings or trays – just results you’ll love.
We’ll start by taking a 3D scan of your teeth that lets Dr. Foley create your customized SmartWire. Then we’ll apply the wire to the back of your teeth for effortless alignment over time. You’ll meet with Dr. Foley every eight to ten weeks, and your SmartWire will take care of the rest!
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces have been around for a long time, and they’re probably the most recognizable symbol of orthodontics. These orthodontic workhouses have a long history of successful treatment and are great at correcting many oral issues.
In the past, metal braces may have been awkward and obvious, but modern metal braces are much smaller, more discreet, and more comfortable than ever. Using a system of brackets and wires, Dr. Foley straightens your teeth by adjusting the connective wire over time. These adjustments typically occur every six to eight weeks and help shift your teeth in line for the perfect smile.
Metal braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments, potentially shortening treatment time. Treatment time depends on the severity of your condition but typically ranges from 12-36 months.
They’re also the most cost-effective option because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces make them our most popular treatment plan year after year.
LightForce Clear Braces
Our LightForce clear braces are also called ceramic or aesthetic braces and work the same way as metal braces. Designed to provide patients with a more subtle treatment option, clear braces use white brackets that blend in with your teeth for a less noticeable effect. We 3D print your ceramic brackets, so they’re personalized to fit your smile.
Most patients’ biggest concern is staining. The ceramic material doesn’t stain, but the glue beneath the bracket might, so some patients avoid certain foods. However, if you maintain a good oral hygiene routine, you shouldn’t have to worry about staining.
Many of our Cary patients choose clear braces over traditional metal braces because they provide the best of both worlds. LightForce clear braces are both a durable treatment plan that works for all orthodontic conditions and a more aesthetic option. Clear braces are an excellent choice for older teens or adults to meet all your orthodontic needs.
Modern Solutions at Foley Orthodontics
Our team at Foley Orthodontics is always working to stay up to date on the latest orthodontic technology, so you benefit from the best care possible. With four different types of braces to choose from, you’ll get the tailor-made smile you deserve in no time.
If you’re ready to start a new treatment plan, schedule your free consultation with Dr. Foley today! We can’t wait to see you smile.