Are crooked teeth making you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about your smile? If so, you’re not alone. Many teens and adults struggle with orthodontic issues, such as misaligned teeth and bite problems.
Fortunately, you have plenty of options when it comes to straightening your teeth. Dr. Chad Carver at Stellar Family Orthodontics offers a variety of orthodontic treatments at their offices in Mukilteo and Mill Creek, Washington.
From conventional braces to Invisalign® clear aligners, the experienced providers at Stellar Family Orthodontics can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.
What are conventional braces?
Conventional braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment for adolescents and adults. They’re made up of high-grade stainless steel brackets and archwires that are fixed to your teeth and work together to straighten your smile and correct bite problems.
Stellar Family Orthodontics also offers clear ceramic braces, which are considered more discreet than metal braces.
Within just 18 months to 3 years, braces can completely transform your smile. Braces are an excellent orthodontic choice for patients of all ages, not just adolescents and teens. In fact, nearly 25% of Dr. Chad Carver’s patients are adults.
What can conventional braces treat?
When compared to other orthodontic therapies, such as clear aligners, traditional braces are more effective at treating complex issues, including:
- Crooked teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Underbite
- Overcrowding
- Gapped teeth
After an initial consultation, during which the orthodontic team at Stellar Family Orthodontics performs a full dental exam with digital X-rays, Dr. Carver can determine if you’re a good candidate for conventional braces.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic therapy that uses removable clear aligners to effectively straighten crooked teeth and correct other common dental concerns.
These clear aligners are made using Invisalign’s state-of-the-art technology. The entire process is completely digital, which means fewer in-person dental visits for you. In many cases, Invisalign can straighten your teeth in as little as 6-18 months.
Clear aligners are just that — clear. They mold to your teeth perfectly, so they’re virtually invisible to the naked eye. Invisalign’s discreet nature makes it the perfect treatment for teens and adults who are unhappy with their smile.
What can Invisalign treat?
Invisalign can treat nearly every dental concern that conventional braces treats. However, it’s not recommended for those who have more complex problems, such as bite issues in the back teeth, canines or premolars that need to be rotated, or teeth that need vertical movement.
It’s also important that you follow your treatment plan with Invisalign. While traditional braces are fixed to your teeth, clear aligners are removable. That means you must keep them in for at least 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth.
Still unsure whether conventional braces or Invisalign is right for you? Call Stellar Family Orthodontics or schedule an appointment online for a free consultation!