Reinvent
Your Smile
Dental braces are a tried and true method of straightening teeth and they work extremely well on a wide variety of cases. Thanks to improvements in design, even traditional metal braces look better, feel more comfortable, and work more quickly. While metal braces are a great choice, we know they’re not for everyone. At Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics, we have different braces options to suit every lifestyle and personality, including gold braces, ceramic braces, and InBrace® lingual braces. To learn more about braces options for adults, teenagers, and kids, read on or schedule a complimentary consultation at our El Dorado Hills, CA orthodontic practice online or by calling us at (916) 933-0532!
WHAT ARE BRACES??
Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances that rely on brackets and wires to exert steady, gentle pressure to shift your teeth into their correct positions. They’re used to give you an aligned bite and a beautiful smile.
BRACES PROCEDURE
Getting your braces put on is a painless procedure. Once your braces are in place, you’ll come in for periodic adjustments. When the process is complete, we’ll remove your braces to unveil a gorgeous new smile.
Do I Need Braces?
The reason dental braces have been around for so long is because they’re an extremely effective option for patients of all ages. If you have a problem with your bite or misaligned teeth, chances are, you could benefit from orthodontic treatment, and it’s likely that metal braces, clear braces, gold braces, or InBrace invisible braces would be an excellent option for you. Not sure what counts as an orthodontic problem? Well, these are some of the most common reasons our Sacramento braces patients visit us for treatment:
Crowding
If there’s limited space in the jaw, crowding will occur. Teeth will try to squeeze in any way they can, including rotating, twisting, overlapping their neighbor, or shifting in the wrong direction. Crowding can be genetic and related to the size of the jaw or teeth, or it can be due to the baby teeth falling out too early. Whatever the reason for crowded, misaligned teeth, our El Dorado Hills orthodontist can use metal braces, clear braces, gold braces, or InBrace braces to create enough space to alleviate crowding, while also shifting teeth into their ideal places.
Spacing (Gaps Between Teeth)
A patient is said to have spacing if they have a gap between one or more teeth. Spacing, often called “gap teeth,” is usually genetic, but it can also be caused by missing teeth and oral habits like tongue thrust or thumbsucking. Dr. Jeff can use any of the different types of braces for gaps between the teeth.
Overbite/Overjet Teeth
When a patient has an overbite or overjet teeth, the top teeth are positioned too far in front of the bottom teeth. Both an overbite and overjet teeth can be genetic or the result of oral habits, such as tongue thrust or prolonged thumbsucking. Metal braces, clear braces, gold braces, and InBrace behind-the-teeth braces can all be used for successful overbite and overjet teeth correction.
Crossbite
When some of the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, it’s referred to as crossbite. A patient can have a back crossbite (posterior crossbite) or a front crossbite (anterior crossbite). This type of malocclusion may be caused by genetics, certain oral habits, trauma, or the premature loss of baby teeth. Braces are often the best way to fix a crossbite.
Open Bite
If there is a space or opening between the top and bottom teeth when the mouth is closed, it’s called an open bite. An open bite can be caused by the usual suspects, including issues with jaw growth or oral habits like tongue thrust. An open bite will typically respond well to any of the braces options, though the SmartWires™ we use with InBrace hidden braces can make treatment super efficient.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth. While Dr. Jeff can use braces to fix an underbite, this type of malocclusion is usually skeletal in nature. That means, the earlier it’s diagnosed and addressed, the more effective orthodontic treatment will be!
In addition to visible misalignment of the teeth and jaw, if any of the following apply to you or your child, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeff to see if you need braces:
- Early loss of primary teeth
- Prolonged thumbsucking, finger sucking, pacifier use, or tongue thrust
- Mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep apnea
- Impacted teeth
- Jaw or TMJ pain and headaches
- Difficulty biting into or chewing foods
- Uneven or excessive wear of teeth
What’s the Best Age for Braces Treatment?
There isn’t one, single best age for braces because no two mouths are exactly alike. However, it’s most common for patients to start braces treatment in the early teenage years when they’re still growing, but have most of their permanent teeth. Sometimes, depending on a patient’s needs, braces could be recommended earlier to help guide jaw growth and the eruption of teeth. However, it’s never too late to get a smile you love, and we can achieve outstanding results with braces for adults and older teens too!
How Much do Braces Cost?
At Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on making our El Dorado Hills braces affordable for every patient. While your braces cost will depend on the severity of your case, we’ll give you an exact price before you start treatment, and there won’t be any hidden fees or unwanted surprises.
We accept most insurance and our knowledgeable team will help you determine your coverage. We’ll even file the necessary paperwork to the insurance company on your behalf. If you have dental insurance that covers braces, this can really reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. In addition to insurance, you can also use dollars from your HSA or FSA for braces.
Whether your insurance offers orthodontic coverage or not, at your consultation, we’ll work with you to create a customized payment plan that suits your budget and needs. We offer in-house, interest-free financing with low down and monthly payments, and flexible pay periods. You can also take advantage of our paid-in-full and family discounts!
Are Braces Worth It?
While our El Dorado Hills ceramic braces, metal braces, behind-the-teeth braces, and gold braces will give you straight teeth and a stunning smile, the benefits of braces treatment go beyond looking your best. Braces treatment:
- Makes teeth easier to brush and floss, which reduces your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, improves your oral health and, in turn, promotes good overall health
- Helps you chew, speak, and even breathe properly
- Prevents uneven and excessive wear of tooth enamel
- Reduces the risk of injury to protruding teeth
- Alleviates undue pressure on the jaw and temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which can help stop pain and prevent bone loss
- Boosts your self-esteem and confidence!