No one said that clear braces were only for youth. In fact, we are treating more and more patients who are near retirement age and ready to improve their smile. There is no time like the present and we can assist you, regardless of age.
Why clear braces are a great idea for Grandma and Grandpa
Even adults struggle with the idea of having to wear metal braces on their teeth. While effective, metal braces are obvious and cumbersome. After years of not wearing orthodontics, some adults may be searching for something more discreet than metal braces. In this case, we have two options to consider.
Types of clear braces
There are two main types of clear braces:
Aligners
Like a full retainer, clear aligners surround the teeth. While people need to wear the clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day, the clear aligners are removable. With clear aligners, the patients have a chance to influence the straightening process by removing the aligners to eat, take a photo, give a presentation and more. If a patient elects to wear clear aligners, we will create the entire set of aligners at the beginning. The patient will wear each aligner for around two weeks time and will replace the current one with the next aligner in the series.
Gradually, the aligners move teeth into the correct position until they are straight. The process requires fewer visits to our office since the patient switches out the aligners at home and on a regular basis. However, the greatest benefit of clear aligners is the discreet appearance and the ability to remove them when necessary.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces have a similar build to traditional braces. A professional follows the same process by securing the brackets onto the teeth and threading a wire between them. The difference is that ceramic braces are tooth-colored and provide patients with a clear appearance that other people have difficulty noticing. As such, when one smiles or speaks, the braces are impossible to see from a distance and difficult to notice closeup. Some patients elect to have ceramic braces because they do not want to think about putting aligners in and want something more permanent.
One factor to keep in mind with this option is that people must brush their teeth after eating or else stains can develop, making the clear brackets yellow in appearance. Both are excellent options and we can let the patient know which solution would work best for straightening the teeth after conducting an examination.
Issues corrected with clear braces
We can correct malocclusion with clear braces of both varieties. These products will gradually and carefully straighten the teeth over time. It is essential that we do not rush the process to prevent damaging the roots. Orthodontics can also help to align the patient's bite.
If the bite is out of alignment due to the position of teeth, we can correct this by using aligners or ceramic braces. However, if the actual jaw needs to move, we are likely to recommend ceramic braces in combination with other treatments. In extreme cases, patients may also need surgery. We can provide specific recommendations after examining you.
Learn more
Find out if clear braces are right for you and what to expect from the process by visiting our Bakersfield dental office today.
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The California Department of public health has provided guidance for resuming deferred and preventive Dental care. We will be resuming all dental care starting May 18, 2020.
To our patients, we hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of those agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You will be asked those same questions again when you arrive to the office.
We ask that all patients wear a mask to the office.
We ask that patients call the office upon arrival.
All patients will have their temperature taken prior to entering the office.
We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines or a coffee bar, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you are offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (661)323-7337 or visit our website at www.brimhalldentalgroup.com
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.