Traditional Orthodontics

In recent years, many advances in orthodontic materials have taken place. Braces are smaller and more efficient. The wires now being used are no longer just stainless steel. They are made of alloys of nickel, titanium, copper and cobalt, and some of the wires are heat-activated. (The nickel-titanium alloy was originally engineered by NASA to automatically activate antennae or solar panels of spacecraft orbiting into the sun's rays.) These new kinds of wires cause the teeth to continue to move during certain phases of treatment, which may reduce the number of appointments needed to make adjustments to the wires.


Clear Braces

You'll be pleased to learn that braces will work with your current lifestyle. You can do almost anything with braces - sing, play a musical instrument, dine out, kiss, and even have your picture taken.

Today's technology makes people wearing braces feel better about how they look. Metal brackets are much smaller than they used to be. Even less noticeable are braces made of ceramic or plastic. Lingual braces (ones that go behind your teeth) may be appropriate in some cases. Your orthodontist will tell you which of these options is best for you.


Invisible Orthodontics

For decades, traditional braces had been the only option for adults who wanted straighter teeth. The Invisalign System offers the first true alternative, by utilizing advances in 3-D imaging technology to create a series of customized plastic aligners.

It all begins with a visit to an Invisalign-certified orthodontist, who will help you determine what you'd like to correct. Next, the orthodontist sends us your precise treatment instructions. Invisalign then uses its proprietary computer technology to create a sequence of finely-calibrated clear plastic aligners -- as few as 12 or as many as 48 -- depending on your particular case.

You'll wear each aligner for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will move-little by little, week by week-until they reach the final alignment your orthodontist has prescribed.

© 2001,2006 Christina M. Martin, D.D.S., M.S. PA All Rights Reserved.