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(843) 903-3300
(843) 896-6550
The team at Seabreeze Orthodontics is proud to offer many treatment options to patients in the Myrtle Beach area, including several types of braces. We’re committed to creating personalized treatment plans that are designed specifically for your unique smile! Using the latest techniques and innovative technology, Dr. Juan can successfully treat a wide range of orthodontic issues, including
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Impacted teeth
We treat these using a variety of treatment methods, including traditional braces. As the most common type of orthodontic treatment, braces are always evolving and getting better. Today’s braces are smaller and more aesthetically pleasing, but they also move the teeth more efficiently, leading to a better orthodontic experience all around!Â
Once you’ve decided to improve your oral health and get a straight smile with braces, it’s time to evaluate your options. At your first appointment, Dr. Juan will perform an orthodontic examination to determine which treatment options are right for you, your smile, and your lifestyle.Â
Let’s take a closer look at the types of braces we offer and how they differ, and how they can give you a confident smile you’ll love!
Metal braces
Metal braces are among the most recognizable symbols of orthodontics and the most common type of treatment.Â
Modern metal braces are much more comfortable and lighter than they used to be, and they’re also customizable, thanks to a variety of fun colored bands to choose from! These braces deliver excellent results and are especially useful in cases that are more serious or complicated.
Metal braces also tend to be a little more affordable because they don’t require some of the more sophisticated technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. The overall strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness of traditional braces keep them the top treatment for orthodontics, year after year.
Rhodium braces
Sometimes referred to as clear braces, tooth-colored braces, or aesthetic braces, rhodium braces function in much the same way metal braces do, with the added benefit of semi-translucent or tooth-colored rhodium brackets. While rhodium braces are about the same size and shape as metal braces, they’re better able to blend in with a patient’s natural smile for a more subtle straightening option.Â
Although rhodium braces are tough, the material they are made from can be prone to chipping or cracking. Since metal braces can hold up to more pressure than ceramic ones, they may be a better option for those who have severe corrections that need to be made.Â
Rhodium brackets are often slightly costlier than metal brackets, as well. Since they can be more expensive and are more prone to breaking, we believe rhodium braces are generally better suited to adults and older teens. That said, rhodium braces can be an excellent option for many patients. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties, they are an incredibly discreet and efficient way to straighten smiles!Â
Invisalign
Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing. The aligners are invisible, but they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
No metal and wires usually mean you spend less time in our office getting adjustments.
You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to their final positions.
Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment by removing the aligners when you eat. You can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene.
A note about traditional braces
Braces do a great job fixing complex tooth issues and close gaps and align teeth faster, which can shorten your treatment time. Because every case is different, treatment time with metal braces will vary from patient to patient. The average is anywhere from 12-36 months. You can often start to see improvement in a short time, which can be very encouraging.
Taking care of your traditional braces can be a little tricky initially, but it gets easier over time. A good dental hygiene routine is essential for oral health, particularly during orthodontic treatment. There are instruments designed to make cleaning braces easier, such as waterpiks to help rinse any hard to reach areas and ortho picks to make flossing easier. We recommend brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each time and flossing every night before bed.
You’ll need to avoid some foods while wearing braces to protect them, such as sticky or crunchy foods. These can damage the brackets and wires. This won’t last forever, though, and will all be worth it once your braces come off, and you see your beautiful new smile!
As a patient in braces, you’ll have follow-up visits with us every 6-8 weeks or so throughout the treatment process. During these appointments, Dr. Juan will change the bands attached to the brackets and may replace the wire as well. Check-ups tend to be reasonably quick, so you can get back to school or work on time! Though there may be some slight residual soreness after each adjustment, it should be temporary. These visits are a vital part of the overall treatment plan and help us ensure the best results in the least amount of time, so try your best not to miss them.Â
Find braces that work with your smile at Seabreeze Orthodontics
At Seabreeze Orthodontics, we know every smile is unique, and what works for one patient may not be a good choice for another. That’s why Dr. Juan creates a customized treatment plan for every patient! With their education, skills, and experience, you can be sure that he’ll only recommend the course of treatment that’s best for your smile.Â
If you’re in Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, we’d love to give you more information on how braces can give you a healthier, straighter smile. Get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation!