Orthodontics
Sherwood, OR
 For many people, especially in a bustling business-oriented world, having a great smile is as essential to their lifestyle as a tailored suit or perfectly coiffed hair. Obvious imperfections to their physical appearance, such as an unsightly gap or crooked teeth, can be a hard blow to some people’s self-confidence. Having an aligned, polished smile can exude the epitome of self-esteem, which is why we here at Senestraro Family Orthodontics are orthodontists and specialize in orthodontia. We understand why it can be so important to have a smile you are proud to show off.
What Are Orthodontics?
Those who are considering restoring their mouths probably have any number of reasons why they might need it done. Overbites and underbites can mar an otherwise composed demeanor while at the same time hindering the ability to eat and speak. While generally treated in adolescence during the critical time of development, which ultimately yields the best results, realignment can be done at any stage of life.
The process is not complicated, but it does require a bit of time. On average, you can expect to see the results you want within three to five years. When you come in for a visit, we will do a preliminary checkup to see what your mouth looks like. After a round of X-rays, we can detect any problems you either currently have or might have if not attended to soon. Then we can determine the best course of treatment for helping to realign your teeth.
Once it has been decided that you need to have orthodontic work or would benefit from it, we will begin the process of applying the braces to your teeth. Using a little bit of special glue, metal brackets are applied to the front side of your enamel. After these are secure, then we will use a combination of wire and rubber bands to begin the adjustment of your teeth into their optimal position.
Though you do not necessarily need to follow a special routine other than regular brushing and flossing to keep your teeth clean, you will find that food can get trapped in the metal and you may require a flosser that helps to keep residue clear. It will also be important to avoid certain things that could damage the brackets, such as eating sticky candy or crunching ice.
Gradually, your teeth will shift over. Depending on the level of alignment needed, your braces may need to be tightened every few weeks. It might seem discouraging that the process takes a significant amount of time, but even those who only require a slight amount of adjustment often will choose metal braces over something less obvious, because of how good the results can be.
After your teeth have had the braces removed, you will need to be fitted with a plastic aligner to keep them from moving back to where they were. This can keep your mouth in optimal shape for many years to come. If you feel like orthodontic work may be exactly what you need to give you back your confidence, please give Senestraro Family Orthodontics a call at (503) 925-8899 to schedule a consultation for your brand new smile. |
