If you have braces you’ve experienced the joy of picking a color to put on them at each appointment. Have you ever wondered exactly what the colors are for? As fun as they are, they DO serve a purpose in your treatment as well as adding style to your smile!
Braces are made up of many separate components in order to work on achieving that photo-ready smile. In addition to the brackets that stick on your teeth, a wire is put in place to help move the teeth into a better position and in order for the wire to stay in place the colors are put on. Without these beautiful colors the wire does not fully “engage” into the brackets, meaning it is not able to fully do its job by being pressed against the bracket adding pressure to achieve movement. In this photo below, the color is silver - this color blends in with the braces.
Consider this fun fact when picking out your next color for your braces, maybe go with something bright and colorful to acknowledge the important role these little guys play in making your smile absolutely perfect! If nothing else, enjoy the addition of style to your smile throughout your braces treatment! At VCO Orthodontics in Arlington, we have over 26 colors to choose from. Take a look! Can you guess which color is Dr. Markova's favorite?
You’ve just finished your treatment with either braces or Invisalign and can taste the sweetness of long awaited freedom, congrats! Once finished, however, your work does not stop here. Although it’s a simple task, wearing a retainer following treatment is extremely important in keeping that perfect smile stabilized and long lasting!
Just as important as things such as wires, rubber bands, Invisalign trays, and the brackets of braces, retainers play a key role in your smile as well. You may have noticed all the hard work it took to move your teeth into an ideal position and have been told that if we do not hold that position teeth are likely to move back to their original placement. Much like you must train your muscles to stay fit, you must use your retainer to retain the shape of your smile, hence the name! Unlike the gym (let’s face it, even just the idea of going can be exhausting) wearing a retainer is easy: you put it in before you go to sleep and take it out when you wake up, it does all the work for you! Can’t remember when and how long to wear it for? Simply remember the phrase, “nighttime for a lifetime!”
We KNOW how important your smile is now that you have put in months of treatment and are happy with the results, we can see your face light up the first time you see your new smile! Retainers will help you keep that amazing sparkle for years to come!
You are not alone! Adults with braces are so common now and you should never feel embarrassed about doing something healthy for your teeth! The number of adults with braces has increased 150% over the past few years as more and more patients are realizing the benefits of a beautiful smile.
Adult braces are very fast. Compared to clear trays or Invisalign, adults with braces can finish treatment in only a few months under the care of a specialized orthodontist. Braces allow the teeth to move safely but faster, especially for teeth that are overcrowded or teeth with gaps to close up.
Adult braces are almost invisible. There are clear braces, or ceramic braces, available that are excellent options for adults. These braces are comfortable and cannot be seen if someone is standing a few feet away from you. Also, clear braces barely show up in photos – another added benefit!
Adult braces for shifting of a few teeth. Let’s say you’ve had braces when you were a kid but your teeth have shifted or crowded up, especially on the lower front teeth. This is a very common problem. I have so many patients that have this minor shifting and with adult braces on just the lower teeth, we can straighten them out in 2-4 months. That’s SUPER FAST! You also can’t see the clear braces on the lower teeth since your lips cover them up. There’s no need to mess with Smile Direct Club or other online, do-it-yourself services when you can see an orthodontist specialist and get the results you want.
Worried you’re too old for adult braces? That’s silly. My patients range from 18 years – 77 years old and most adult braces patients are in their 40’s. With braces on, you come in and I do my thing…no need to add any extra stress to your life while your teeth and bite are getting straightened out. See the best orthodontist in Arlington, VA today for adult braces! 😉
One of our awesome patients below did a 400-mile bike race...WITH ADULT BRACES! Mom of two kiddos. Unstoppable.
