Orthodontic treatment offers important benefits for your appearance and oral health. Orthodontics are among the services your McHenry, IL, dentist, Dr. Yong Chang, offers to improve his patients' smiles.
Will braces help me?
Orthodontic treatment is an excellent option if you're concerned about the appearance of your teeth. Treatment is often recommended if your teeth are crooked, twisted or have grown in at odd angles. You may also benefit from orthodontics if you have gaps between your teeth or crowding issues.
Wearing braces will correct common bite problems, include underbites, overbites, crossbites and open bites. In some cases, your teeth may look perfectly straight even though you have a bite problem. If you have trouble chewing easily or your teeth cut your tongue, mouth or gums when you chew, you may have a bite problem.
What types of orthodontic treatment are available?
Patients have more choices than ever when it comes to improving their smiles. Options include:
- Metal Braces: Metal wires are threaded through brackets cemented to your teeth. Adjusting the wires will gradually improve the alignment of your teeth.
- Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are less noticeable than metal braces because they use clear or tooth-colored brackets and wires.
- Lingual Braces: Lingual braces are attached to the backs of teeth, making them completely unnoticeable.
- Clear Aligners: Clear aligners offer a more discreet alternative to wire-based orthodontic treatments. If you choose this method, you'll wear a series of clear, removable aligner trays that will be removed when you eat or brush and floss your teeth.
How long will treatment take?
The length of your orthodontic treatment may range from six to 30 months or longer. If you have a mild problem, treatment length will probably be at the lower end of the range. More complex orthodontic problems will require longer treatment times. Your McHenry dentist will explain the benefits of each type of orthodontic treatment with you and discuss your projected timeline during your visit.
Orthodontics offer smile-changing benefits for both kids and adults. Call your McHenry, IL, dentist, Dr. Yong Chang, at (815) 363-1577 to schedule an appointment to discuss your orthodontic issues.