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Traditional Braces

Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your “ideal” bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment. To discuss getting braces in the area, please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment.

Metal braces

Metal braces are the most popular with kids and teenagers. They love using different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than ever before.

Self-ligating metal brackets reduce friction between brackets and wires by eliminating use of ligature ties. Thus, it can reduce total treatment time.

Translucent clear ceramic braces are the most popular with adults. You have to be very close to someone to be able to see them. Yet, because they are a ceramic material, they are more fragile.

Clear Braces

Clear Braces

Clear Braces can straighten your teeth without the use of actual fixed braces. To discuss a clear braces solution in the Laurel MD area, please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment.

For more information on various Clear Braces solutions, feel free to visit companies like Invisalign.

  • Clear brace solutions use a series of clear removable appliances to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
  • The appliances are made through a combination of Dr. Thompson‘s expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.
  • You wear each set of appliances for almost 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
  • As you replace each appliance with the next in the prescribed series, your teeth will incrementally move, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Thompson has prescribed.
  • You’ll visit Dr. Thompson about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
  • Total treatment time may average 9 – 15 months and the average number of appliances worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

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