What Type of Braces Are Right for You?

Orthodontic treatment has come a long way over the last few decades. Years ago, visions of “metal mouth” and headgear were enough to scare patients away from trying to get that perfect smile. Now, with the latest advancements in dental technology, there are many different options to fit each patient’s needs from young child to adult.

At Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental Associates, we have been offering comprehensive orthodontic services for over 20 years. Depending on the individual patient’s needs, orthodontics could begin as early as age seven. During your child’s routine dental examination, it may be determined that orthodontic intervention is needed. Sometimes, at this young age, they may benefit from a small retainer-like device called an expander. Our dentists at Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart believe that early intervention at this stage helps the jaw grow a little more quickly to make room for adult teeth and keeps them from crowding.

“Traditional” or metal dental braces are used more commonly on younger children and teens. During this treatment, a metal wire is threaded through the brackets that are bonded on the teeth. Regular visits to adjust or change the wires are necessary to make sure that the teeth are continuing to move to their proper location. Keeping up with dental hygiene appointments and maintaining home care are essential to your overall oral health during treatment.

Clear aligners are another effective form of orthodontic treatment and a very popular choice among adult patients. If you want to straighten your teeth without wires and brackets, there are options available as a “clear” way to straighten your teeth. Invisalign® and ClearCorrect™ are the clear and simple alternatives to braces — a series of clear, custom-made, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth as you wear them. Most patients appreciate the shorter length of treatment and flexibility that the aligners provide. Not everyone is a candidate for the clear aligner option, but a consultation with one of our trusted dental providers can determine if this method is right for you.

Wirelign® is a cutting-edge technique that focuses on the alignment of the anterior (front) teeth by the placement of a wire “behind the teeth.” Because the wire is bonded to the back of the teeth, they are completely invisible to others. Regular visits to adjust the wires will be needed, and overall treatment times are generally a shorter period of time. Again, this option will depend on the individual patient’s needs.

In many cases, after orthodontic treatment is completed, it is necessary to “retain” the teeth in their new position. Over time, teeth are prone to shifting, and it can cause further spacing and misalignment. By wearing an appliance or, in some cases, a retaining wire bonded to the back of the teeth, the position of the teeth will remain in place. For the convenience of our patients, both of our offices are equipped with an in-house orthodontic laboratory where our technicians can create custom retainers for quick turnaround.

Our dentists at Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental Associates have been providing orthodontics and dental braces to the Souderton and Harleysville areas using the latest cutting-edge orthodontic concepts and techniques for decades. Our practice is affiliated with the International Association of Orthodontics and is working towards mastership within the organization. Many of our doctors have completed a rigorous set of requirements in all dental disciplines, including orthodontics.

Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental Associates is committed to providing each of our patients with the highest quality care throughout all phases of dental care. If you would like to schedule an orthodontics consultation in either our Souderton or Harleysville location or are interested in learning more about our practice, you can browse our website or call 215-486-1649/215-486-1652.