Braces Archives -

July 1, 2021January 22, 2024

Your Different Options for Braces

Braces in Atlanta and Marietta, GA o, you’re interested in getting braces. Did you know there are more than one or two types of braces you can choose from? At Wright Orthodontics, we offer a variety of different braces options for our patients, so they can get the treatment they desire without having to sacrifice their desired look or timeline. Let’s go over each treatment option and the best options for those on a budget.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are what our patients typically think of when they think of braces. Characterized by the use of metal brackets and a silver wire running along the teeth, metal braces are the most popular among our younger patients for a few good reasons. Not only are metal braces more affordable than other treatment options, but they are also one of the most durable braces a patient can receive. This means you don’t have to worry about maintenance as often as you would with alternative options.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are the first alternative we offer that is most similar to the traditional metal braces we all know. Ceramic braces also require the use of brackets and a wire, but they tend to be more discrete. Instead of metal brackets, ceramic braces use brackets that more closely match the natural color of your teeth. Using a durable clear wire also aids in the illusion of not having braces at all. Ceramic braces are a great option for adult patients who require braces but want to maintain a more professional look.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are the most different alternative treatment that you may find. Lingual braces are similar to metal braces, however, the metal brackets are bonded to the backside of the teeth rather than the front. This creates a much more discrete appearance among our patients who wish to shift their teeth on the sly. That being said, lingual braces are difficult to care for and a little more expensive than our more traditional options.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® aligners have taken the orthodontic world by storm over the past several years. These invisible aligning trays are custom-fitted to your teeth and jaws, allowing you to shift your teeth gently over time without the appearance of bulky metal braces. Invisalign® is a popular choice among adult patients who wish to improve their smile without disrupting their current appearance.

What if I Can’t Afford Braces?

If you’ve thought about receiving orthodontic treatment in the past but stopped because of pricing, look no further than treatment with Wright Orthodontics. We understand that everybody has a different financial situation, which is why we’re proud to offer affordable treatment plans with flexible financing options that allow you to pay for your braces at your own pace.

If you’re interested in learning more about when or how to get started with your orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to contact us and set up your private consultation with Dr. Wright. He’ll be happy to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, evaluate your teeth, and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you get a smile you can be proud of.

June 1, 2021January 22, 2024

Which Braces Work Fastest? Invisalign® vs. Metal Braces

When it comes to patients choosing their options for braces, one of the biggest factors most of our adult patients tend to look at is their timelines. We live in a world of instant gratification, so seeing our patients want their results fast isn’t a surprise. Let’s go over our two most popular treatments – metal braces and Invisalign® – and compare the time commitment needed for each.

What are Metal Braces?

Metal braces are what we traditionally think of when we think of braces. These braces require bonding small metal brackets to the teeth and threading a silver wire through them to shift the position of the teeth and jaws. Many patients who receive metal braces may also be asked to use rubber bands to further enhance the shifting powers of the braces and increase your results over a shorter period of time.

How Long Do Metal Braces Take to Show Results?

The answer to this question truly depends on the type of alignment or shifting you require to achieve your desired results. It also depends on how diligently you come in for your maintenance appointments, how often you break your brackets, and how often you wear your rubber bands if you need them. That being said, we typically see our patients needing metal braces for anywhere between 12 and 36 months.

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a more modern approach to traditional metal braces. Invisalign® treatments involve the use of invisible aligner trays that are custom-fitted to your teeth and jaws. Every week or two, you will be asked to switch out your trays and replace them with a newer, more snug-fitting pair. Over time, patients will see changes in the position and crowding of their teeth.

How Long Does Invisalign® Take to Show Results?

Like with braces, the answer to this question is individual to each and every patient. How long you need your Invisalign® trays will vary depending on your teeth’s starting positions, how often you wear your aligners, how well you keep up with your regular maintenance appointments and more. When all is said and done, we typically find our patients achieve their desired results within 6 to 18 months.

Is Invisalign® or are Metal Braces Quicker?

In the grand scheme of things, Invisalign® aligners tend to provide patients with the results they desire in a shorter period of time than braces do. That being said, Invisalign® aligners are best for patients who do not require a large amount of intervention with their teeth. Patients who have more complex issues with their jaws and teeth may require the use of metal braces for treatment. The best way to find out which aligners are right for you is to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Wright.

May 1, 2021January 22, 2024

What’s the Best Age to Get Braces?

Getting braces is a common, yet frustrating thing for many of our patients. One of the most interesting questions we get asked all the time is “When is the best time for me or my child to get braces?” In reality, there is no perfect answer to this question. Let’s go over some braces basics so you can get a better feel for when your perfect time for braces is.

What Braces Do

Braces are classified as any teeth or jaw alignment treatment. While we typically think of metal braces when we think of braces, our teeth alignment treatments can be in the form of invisible aligners, lingual braces and more. Braces work to slowly shift the position of the teeth and jaws over time so patients can achieve a perfectly healthy and aesthetically pleasing smile.

Patients typically associate having braces as a pre-teen or teenager, as that’s the age most parents seek out orthodontic help for their children. But, is this really the best time for braces to come into play?

The Best Ages for Braces

While there is no perfect time for a patient to get braces, we typically recommend parents who are interested in getting braces for their children to do so between the ages of 10 and 14. These four years tend to be a more optimal time for our patients to receive braces for the following reasons:

Children between 10 and 14 are likely to have all or most of their permanent teeth.
Children between 10 and 14 still have softer bone tissue than older patients.
Children between 11 and 13 have typically lost all of their baby teeth, but have not yet seen their second molars appear.

Each of the above factors play into being able to address the patients’ permanent teeth alignment while still being able to manipulate the pliable and growing bones within the jaw. This makes for an easier shifting process and quicker results compared to patients with fully formed jaws and hard to shift molars.

When to See an Orthodontist

While the “ideal” age for patients to get braces is between 10 and 14, many orthodontic professionals suggest bringing your child in to see their first orthodontist as early as seven years old. While your child won’t be getting braces this young, your orthodontist can start taking preventative measures to ensure your child’s oral development is going smoothly. Preventative intervention may include the use of a retainer at night or expanders throughout the day.

Braces as an Adult

No matter what anyone says, getting braces as an adult is always an option. Many of our adult patients didn’t have the means to receive braces growing up and are finally able to align their teeth a little later in life. For our adult patients, we take the time to address their individual needs and encourage them to consider options like Invisalign®, which provides a slower alignment with a discrete look.

December 15, 2018January 22, 2024

What Foods Can I Eat with Braces in Marietta, GA?

If you have braces, you must remember that crunchy, chewy, sticky, gooey foods can damage your braces.

Here are some rules to help you eat right with braces:

Nothing hard
Nothing sticky
Do not eat big mouthfuls
Do not tear things with your teeth
Limit yourself to one soda per week (regular or diet) – the carbonation can give you problems

Foods You Can’t Eat with Braces

You want to avoid foods that are going to stick to the wiring or detach a bracket from its tooth. Here is a short list of specific foods to avoid when wearing braces:

Gum
Hard candy
Sticky candy
Popcorn
Nuts
Ice
Thick tortilla chips
Whole apples or carrots (cut them into smaller pieces before eating)
Hard French bread crust and rolls
Corn on the cob (cut the corn off the cob before eating)
Thick bagels
Thick pizza crust
Large hard pretzels
Chewable vitamins (hard or soft)

Foods You Can Eat with Braces

You should stick to food options that are low in sugar to help prevent areas of decay from forming around your braces. Here is a list of foods that you can enjoy while wearing braces.

Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
Grains – pasta, soft-cooked rice
Meats & poultry – soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Fruits – applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
Chocolate (without nuts)
Marshmallow
Cake
Ice cream or popsicles
Jell-O
Low sugar, non-carbonated drinks
Cookies and crackers (stay away from the crunchy ones)
Chips
Cheetos
Soft breads or toast
Sandwiches
Pizza
Burritos
Hamburgers
Hot dogs
Meat – bite size without the bone (avoid chewy meats)
Salads
Raw vegetables
Cooked vegetables
Potatoes
Fruit
Fruit smoothies
Yogurt
Rice
Sushi
Cold cereal (not hard granola)
Hot cereals
Soup
Macaroni and cheese
Pasta dishes
Cheese

To learn more about braces, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Wright Orthodontics has two convenient locations to serve you in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia. As always, your initial consultation at Wright Orthodontics is offered free of charge with no hidden fees.

November 15, 2018January 22, 2024

The 411 on Brushing with Braces in Marietta, GA

Brushing your teeth while wearing braces is just as important, if not more important, than brushing your teeth when you don’t have braces.

If you have braces, you cannot simply brush your teeth like you always have because even the best toothbrush will not be able to thoroughly clean around the brackets and wires. Also, if you have braces, you have to be careful of your brackets and wires while brushing. If you’re not careful, you can actually dislodge a wire or damage a bracket.

Helpful Tips for Brushing Your Teeth While Wearing Braces

Brushing your teeth thoroughly at least every morning and night is the best way to prevent cavities and other complications while wearing braces. The American Dental Association advises brushing after every meal. Here are seven important tips to help make sure that you keep your teeth clean while wearing braces:

Find the right toothbrush – If you wear braces, a toothbrush with soft bristles is the better choice than stiffer bristles. The stiffer bristles are more likely to bend a wire or break a bracket off a tooth. A softer toothbrush is better at molding around your brackets for better cleaning.

Rinse first – Start by rinsing your mouth out with water. This will help to get some of the loose food particles out.

Start brushing without toothpaste – The foaming action of toothpaste can obscure your view of your teeth and the brackets, so it will be difficult to see if everything is clean. Start off without toothpaste and clean around the brackets. Then, add a bit of toothpaste and go over your teeth again.

Pick, don’t scrub – When removing debris or plaque from around a wire or bracket, it is important not to scrub. Picking is less likely to damage the bracket and is usually more effective when it comes to removing debris that can build up around our brackets and teeth. Picking is especially important when it comes to cleaning underwires.

Take enough time to brush thoroughly – You need to spend at least two minutes cleaning your teeth, especially when you have braces. Dedicate thirty seconds to each quarter of your mouth. If needed, set a timer to train yourself to brush a full two minutes.

Use the right toothpaste – The right brand of toothpaste for you is one that you’ll actually use. As long as the toothpaste has fluoride, it will work perfectly as long as you brush for a full two minutes.

Avoid using whitening products when you have braces – Do not use whitening toothpaste or whitening mouthwash when wearing braces. If you do, the whitening product will only work on the surfaces it touches (not under the brackets), so you’ll have uneven tooth color when your braces get removed.

May 31, 2018January 22, 2024

Navigating Dental Insurance

Dental insurance can be complicated, but just like general health insurance, it is important to understand the coverage, benefits and out-of-pocket costs associated with your plan.

Understanding Your Coverage

Your dental insurance should cover necessary dental maintenance and emergencies. For example, it is uncommon for insurance to cover for teeth whitening services. The plans layout what is considered protocol on an annual basis and determine how much the dentist receives as compensation. Depending on the coverage, the fees may be paid via direct reimbursement or by submitting claims.

You also need to determine if the dentist or orthodontist you prefer to work with accept your dental health coverage. The majority of policies have “in-network” and “out-of-network” schedules that indicate what they pay and what you pay. To ensure your out-of-pocket costs are as low as possible it’s important to choose an in-network provider.

Determining Your Needs

If you take good care of your teeth and typically don’t have problems, you may want a policy that covers basic care (cleanings and fillings) and emergencies; however, if you haven’t practiced good oral hygiene or anticipate having some more invasive procedures, you may want a more detailed policy. You should also consider whether to include orthodontic coverage.

Selecting Your Coverage

Dental insurance plans provide a list of covered treatments and procedures to give you the opportunity to select the one that fits your needs. You can select plans that cover the basics or plans that provide coverage for more procedures.

Important Considerations

When selecting dental insurance, there are important considerations to know. Always know the following:

What is your monthly premium?
What is your out of pocket expense for each treatment?
What kind of coverage do you want?
Do you have lifetime limits?
Do you have coverage for family members?
Does your coverage include out-of-network dentists?

Dental insurance can be very confusing especially if you have never had it. The majority of companies provide insurance experts through their human resources departments; don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are getting coverage on your own, ask the customer service representative your questions. Once you have all your information, you can make an informed decision. And, of course, if you have questions about how the services at Wright Orthodontics fits into your dental insurance plan, contact us.

April 30, 2018January 22, 2024

5 Things to Say to Your Kids After They Get Braces

It is not uncommon for children to be less than thrilled with their braces. After your braces appointment your child may be disappointed and upset about the mild discomfort. The behavior is completely normal and will adjust as their braces become part of their routine. On that ride home, try these helpful phrases to ensure your child that braces are in their best interest.

#1: “The pain is temporary.”

Yes, it may hurt right now, but the pain is temporary and only lasts a few days. The pain comes from the teeth beginning to shift into their proper place. Give them some over-the-counter pain medication to diminish the soreness.

#2: “You sound just the same.”

Another thing that is temporary is any kind of speech impediment. Whether it is a lisp or difficult to pronounce certain letters, it just takes some time to get used to braces. One suggestion is to tell them to read out loud, so they can get used to talking with braces.

#3: “You can have a smoothie for dinner.”

One of the only benefits of the pain or discomfort from getting braces is that your kids can have smoothies for dinner (and possibly ice cream for dessert).

#4: “You can change your colors.”

Metal braces often require elastic ligatures or bands. The elastics come in different colors, so your son or daughter can pick different colors based on their mood or time of year. The fun colors make braces a little more bearable and gives them something to think about when appointments are approaching.

#5: “Your smile will be beautiful for life.”

The good thing about braces is that they are temporary. The objective is to correct orthodontic issues and straighten your child’s teeth so that they can have a confident, beautiful smile. When they get down in the dumps, remind them to keep their eye on the prize – a beautiful smile.

At Wright Orthodontics we make every effort to keep your child excited about the process of correcting their teeth. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.

January 11, 2018January 22, 2024

The Best Ways to Care for Your Teeth With Braces

Braces create many pockets for harmful plaque buildup. Even though patients visit with Dr. Marc S. Wright once a month, regular oral hygiene is really a responsibility of the patient. In order to maintain and properly clean your teeth, it requires daily dedication. There’s no doubt that keeping your mouth clean and healthy will guarantee a mouth full of shining, straight teeth when your braces are removed. Follow these simple steps from Dr. Marc S. Wright to avoid discoloration and cavities during your orthodontic treatment.

Brush After Every Meal

If you can keep food from getting stuck in the natural crevices of the teeth, you are more likely to avoid the buildup of plaque. At Wright Orthodontics we recommend brushing your teeth after each meal to dislodge bits of food from between your teeth and brackets. When brushing, make sure to focus on all the surfaces of your teeth, from front and back to top and bottom. Brush for at least two minutes and spend most of your time focusing on the hard to reach places in the very back of your mouth. If brushing causes you pain Dr. Marc S. Wright recommends investing in toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Use an Interdental Toothbrush

Your toothbrush will likely need replacing more often when you begin brushing with braces. We often recommend our patients purchase an interdental toothbrush, which can make it easier to get between your brackets and in hard to reach places.

Floss Twice Per Day

At the very minimum, you should brush and floss twice per day – regardless of whether or not you are an orthodontic patient. However, flossing is more important than ever when you are wearing braces. Many of our patients find that floss threaders or floss picks make it easier to get between your teeth than standard string floss. While flossing, pay attention to getting the floss under your gum line on both sides of your tooth, then massage between your teeth and gums to dislodge any lingering bacteria or plaque. You may choose to rinse with water or an oral rinse with fluoride. Fluoride is your best friend while wearing braces; not only does it prevent cavities, but it can reduce the chances of staining.

See a Professional Regularly

Finally, the most important step in maintaining your oral health while wearing braces is to attend regular checkups with your orthodontist. At Wright Orthodontics, your health and comfort are our top priorities. Dr. Marc S. Wright will work with you to make sure you get the best possible results from your orthodontic treatment.

Although paying so much attention to brushing and flossing might sound cumbersome, the majority of our patients find the more they pay attention to their oral hygiene routine, the less work brushing and flossing becomes. If you keep your mouth clean, brushing will be a breeze.

Contact us at Wright Orthodontics today at our Atlanta or Marietta office to learn more about keeping your braces clean and our full service orthodontic treatments.