Got Crooked Teeth? Visit your Orthodontist in Pleasant Grove!

Has your dentist recently informed you that your child’s teeth are coming in crooked? Maybe you’ve worn braces in the past but only seen them revert to their original, more crooked shape. Not treating a bad bite now could affect your child’s oral health later and putting off your own orthodontic problems could affect your image as well as the condition of your current tooth enamel.  By visiting your orthodontist in Pleasant Grove, you can feel confident that you’ll be in good hands.

To learn if you or a family member is a candidate for orthodontics, keep reading. Getting your teeth treated now can make a huge difference later in life.

Am I Candidate for Braces?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a certain age to obtain braces in Pleasant Grove. In fact, many people are getting braces at an older age either because they want to treat their misalignment issues for good or because they failed to wear their retainer after wearing braces at a young age. If you have good periodontal (gum) health, you’ll likely be considered eligible for braces.

Additionally, if you’re taking any medications, you’ll want to let your orthodontist know during your consultation. For example, patients taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis should tell their dentist first. This can affect the way your body reacts to significant realignments of your teeth.

What is the Procedure Like?

Once you decide with your orthodontist in Pleasant Grove that braces are right for you, you’ll schedule a visit to have them placed. Once you arrive, your dentist will thoroughly clean and dry your teeth. Then, they will apply bonding glue to each of your teeth and attach metal brackets. These metal squares will house the wire that applies small amounts of pressure to your teeth over time.

Next, the orthodontist will thread an archwire through each of the brackets, followed by securing each bracket with elastic bands. The procedure takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to complete and while it doesn’t hurt, you can expect some soreness afterwards. This is common with most substantial dental procedures and it will go away after about a week.

How Long Will My New Smile Last?

Your new smile can last for life but doing so requires wearing a retainer day and night for the first six months after the braces come off. This is because your teeth are still naturally shifting, even after you’ve worn braces for years. The only way to keep them straight decades from now is to wear a retainer.

It’s precisely the reason so many adults come back needing dental treatment. Keep in mind, you won’t need to wear the retainer full time for life. Once 6 months has passed, you can switch to only wearing it at night.

Not sure if braces are right for you? Contact your dentist in Pleasant Grove today to get your free consultation today!

About the Practice

Bear Creek Family Dentistry has 11 unique locations, so you’re bound to find one near you if you live in the DFW area. Our comprehensive list of services is an ideal source of all your dental care needs, including traditional braces. To find closest practice, visit our website and contact us to learn more on how braces can improve your oral health and smile today!