SmartClip Braces takes braces to the next level by making them easier to manage and adjust. Our team at Brodie Bowman Orthodontics in Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Niceville, FL, is pleased to offer these self-ligating braces as part of our lineup.
How Do SmartClip Braces Work?
Self-Ligation Makes the Difference
While metal ties or elastics have been the traditional go-to to make braces work, they aren’t the only option. Self-ligating braces like the SmartClip Braces use either a moveable door or a clip to secure the archwire to your brackets instead of using rubber bands.
How Does This Compare to Traditional Braces?
Braces can correct numerous issues when it comes to straightening out crooked teeth or improving your jaw alignment, and can also be used to modify tooth spacing. The power behind braces lies in the bracket and archwire system.
The brackets can be attached to your teeth, and a thin wire known as the archwire is run through the brackets. In order for braces to be any good, the archwire has to be adjusted so it applies enough pressure to gently guide your teeth over time. Self-ligating braces make the process simpler and easier by removing the need for rubber bands.
Benefits of SmartClip Braces
1. Less Dental Visits
With self-ligating braces, not only do they usually require less adjustment, but the adjustment time tends to be shorter. When you have traditional braces adjusted, you have to wait for each ligature to be removed and replaced individually. With self-ligating braces like SmartClips Brace, we’re able to simply open and shut the bracket system to make the necessary adjustments.
As much as we love to see our patients, less time spent in the dental chair means more time to prioritize other things in your life, all while making no compromises on your dental health. Time is limited, why spend more time getting your braces adjusted when the process can be streamlined?
2. More Comfort
The wire being able to slide back and forth from within the bracket means there’s less friction against your teeth. As such, these braces can offer an additional comfort level when compared to traditional options. This can make self-ligating braces a good option to consider for patients with sensitive teeth or mouths.
3. Better Hygiene
Anyone who’s brushed their teeth with traditional braces knows how challenging it can be. Kids and adults alike can become frustrated with the extra hassle involved with working around rubber bands. This can lead to some corners being cut, and when it comes to dental hygiene you definitely don’t want to be cutting corners.
Since self-ligating technology has done away with the need for ligatures, it can reduce a lot of frustration when it comes time to brush your teeth. This can lead to a reduction of plaque and improvement in your overall dental health.
4. There’s No Compromise on Quality
Sometimes easier can translate to less effective, but that’s not the case with self-ligating braces. You get all the benefits of an easier time cleaning, less time in the dentist’s office, and improved comfort, all while these braces do the same job as traditional ones.
That said, each case can be different and if you have questions about whether or not self-ligating braces will be the right fit for you, why not drop us a line? During a consultation we’ll be able to take a look at your needs and let you know the option we think has the best chance of helping you out.
5. You Can’t Misplace Them
We love clear aligners, and they can be a great choice for a lot of people. However, if you misplace your aligner or forget to wear it as much as you should, you can lengthen the treatment process or even backtrack it.
If you’re trying to decide between braces and aligners, especially if you’re someone who misplaces things now and then, braces may be the better option for you.
Why Get Braces at All?
It Can Boost Self-Esteem
If you’re an adult who wasn’t able to get braces as a kid, you’re far from alone. Many adults feel like it may be too late to correct their smile, but that’s not the case at all! We are proud to offer many different options for adults based on your needs.
We love to see our patients glow when they get their braces off and get to enjoy the smile they always dreamed of. It can help many of our patients feel more comfortable when it comes to new introductions or not thinking twice when they smile for pictures. So if your teeth are affecting your confidence, stop by to see us so we can start getting you closer to your goals.
It May Help Prevent More Serious Problems
People will sometimes ask if crooked teeth can correct themselves over time. The answer is almost always no, in fact, the opposite is more likely to be true. While we believe there’s no such thing as too late when it comes to taking steps to correct your smile, it’s true that the sooner you seek out treatment the easier it tends to be.
If there’s an issue you want to address with your teeth, it may save money and time over the long run to get things started as soon as possible. This can be especially true of crooked teeth, since these teeth can be more difficult to clean and may make you more susceptible to dental decay, even if you do your best to stay on top of your daily brushing and flossing.
Correcting Your Bite Could Help Prevent a Mouth Injury
If you’re out enjoying a sport or active hobby and you end up face-planting in the dirt, a protruding tooth could be more likely to cut into your mouth and cause an injury. Correcting this issue could help you enjoy your hobbies with better peace of mind.
If you’re concerned about wearing braces during an activity, a mouthguard can help protect your braces so you can keep enjoying your hobbies.
Correcting Your Teeth Can Improve Your Comfort
When your teeth aren’t aligned properly, it can put a strain on your jaw. If you have unexplained headaches, you may not think your strained jaw muscle could be to blame, but it could very well be a contributing factor. This strain can cause some patients to struggle with sleep as well.
Almost Anyone Can Be a Good Candidate
While a consultation is always a good way to determine if braces will work for you, braces do tend to be a good fit for a wide range of people. Whether you have more mild concerns you want to be addressed for cosmetic reasons, or more complex issues that need serious modification, braces are usually up for the job.
Issues that braces can help with include:
- Overcrowded teeth
- Teeth with gaps
- Crossbites
- Misalignment
- Overbite or underbite
- Protruding teeth
Our Other Treatment Options
Mini-Diamond Braces
We recognize that there isn’t always a one-size-fits-all braces option, which is why our office offers multiple choices to cover your needs. Mini-diamonds are smaller than traditional braces which can be appealing when it comes to appearance and comfort. They have roughly the same treatment time as traditional braces, and work well to boot.
Clear Ceramic Braces
If you want your braces to be a bit more discreet, ceramic braces are made of a material that helps them blend in with your smile. It’s an especially popular choice for adults who feel more confident with ceramic braces.
Invisalign
The technology behind Invisalign has improved vastly even over the past few years. It can be a great option for patients who want to discreetly correct their tooth issues or don’t want to deal with any diet restrictions during their treatment. It works through a system of aligners that are custom generated just for you. Each aligner makes slight, careful adjustments to your teeth to gradually shift them.
When it comes to comfort, Invisalign can help patients with sensitive gums or mouths still seek out treatment to help correct their smiles.
A Virtually Invisible Option
Probably the most significant reason a patient wants to look into Invisalign is due to the fact that, as its name implies, it’s nearly invisible when you’re wearing it. While some teens and adults enjoy customizing their braces, for others the thought of getting braces at all can be upsetting.
An adult may also want to begin correcting their smile but have an event like a wedding coming up, and don’t want braces in the pictures. If either of these scenarios is the case for you, ask our team about whether or not Invisalign may be the right call.
Carriere Motion Appliance
This technology can function as a first phase to orthodontic treatment, and can reduce the time you need to spend with your braces. It’s basically a jump-start that begins to guide your teeth into place. After a few months, this appliance will be removed and replaced with the braces or aligner of your choice.
What Should I Do Once I Have My Braces?
Practice Good Dental Care
The importance of flossing and brushing your teeth with quality toothpaste isn’t anything new, but it’s so important we’re going to bring it up anyway. Getting that plaque off before it turns into tartar is going to protect your teeth, and since you can’t brush in-between your teeth, flossing helps dislodge stuck plaque and food particles.
If you don’t want cavities, good oral hygiene is your best bet of delaying or preventing them. Your breath also smells amazing after brushing, so there’s really no downside to it. Sugary food can encourage plaque growth, so cutting down on sugar can be helpful in keeping your teeth healthy as well.
Come In for Cleanings
Aside from good oral care at home, don’t neglect your professional cleanings. It’s recommended you drop by every six months for a cleaning, especially since dentists have the tools to safely remove tartar once it’s hardened. Trying to remove tartar at home can actually damage your teeth.
Take Care of Your Retainer
Once you’ve gotten your braces off, you’ll probably be using a retainer nightly for a little bit. Retainers can help prevent your teeth from reverting back to their original positions.
Since your retainer is put up against your teeth, it can actually get some plaque and bacteria in there. It’s crucial to clean your retainer so you don’t undo all that good work of brushing your teeth only to put a dirty retainer up against them all night.
Don’t Lose Your Retainer
Finally, we recommend you keep your retainer in the same place every night. Sometimes when you’re in a rush it can be tempting to take the retainer off and put it somewhere new, but misplacing them can be a headache. Keeping the location consistent can help you avoid this. Just make sure this location is out of the curious reach of kids and pets!
Come and Visit Us!
If you’re ready to learn more about how we can help your smile, reach out to Brodie Bowman Orthodontics in Fort Walton Beach, FL, or Niceville, FL, today for a consultation!