If there is one thing my Plano dental office prides itself on it’s staying current and providing the best possible care to our patients. In doing that, we must ask ourselves what works and what our patients want.
On this note, I want to take you back to a time when orthodontics was completely different and then introduce you to the ways we can straighten your teeth today. I think you’ll be amazed – and relieved – by the changes and gains we’ve made over the course of a few decades. What you know about orthodontics today is different from how your parents knew it – and will be different from how YOUR kids know orthodontics.
Orthodontics: Oh, How Far We’ve Come
Orthodontics, you might be surprised to know, has been around in some form for centuries. Of course, it started in a much different way. Historians have found that Egyptians used cords from animal intestines in an attempt to close gaps in teeth and that Romans used gold wires. It’s amazing to me that even our earliest civilizations saw the benefit of improving their smile, though we can all agree that tactics have changed for the better.
Orthodontics officially began as a science in the early 1900s. Starting in the early 1900s and up until a few decades ago, dentists had to wrap wires around each tooth to straighten teeth. That process took a lot of time and was extremely expensive because the wires were made from gold. That’s why so many adults and seniors have never had orthodontics. When they reached the ideal age to have braces, most people could not afford.
The biggest advancement in braces came with the addition of bonding agents. The bonding agents allowed dentists and orthodontists to bond the brackets directly to the tooth. This is a very similar technology to what many offices use today. When you think about orthodontics, these are the type of braces that probably come to mind. It’s true that orthodontists and dentists across the country have had success using conventional braces, but you also need to know that orthodontic services continue to evolve – for the better.
Straightening Teeth in the 21st Century
Many of my patients are scared at the thought of orthodontics because they do not want metal braces – or they’ve heard horror stories about painful treatment. That’s why I’m delighted to tell them about new ways we are treating our patients.
Today you can straighten your teeth without any metal or brackets, and it’s possible to complete your treatment in about half the time. This revolutionary treatment is called
Invisalign. Rather than using metal brackets and wires that can make your mouth sore, Invisalign uses a series of plastic trays that gradually straighten the teeth. Invisalign is virtually invisible and can be easily removed for eating and cleaning.
We can plan out your entire Invisalign treatment during the initial consultation, and you can see 3D images of what your teeth will look once the treatment is complete. During your treatment, you’ll wear the aligners for about two weeks at a time. New trays can be tight for a few days, but the sensitivity is nowhere near what patients experience with conventional braces.
Make an Appointment
We’ve found that Invisalign is a great tool for patients who don’t want the embarrassments of braces. But more than anything, I’m out to change how people view orthodontics. We’ve come such a long way since the dawn of orthodontics, and every day, we’re learning about ways to make orthodontic treatments more comfortable.
If you’re self-conscious about the state of your teeth but can’t see yourself in braces, call us today at 972-905-9266 for a consultation.
