Braces
How do Braces Work?
Modern braces are not only more comfortable but also sleeker and more inconspicuous. They are designed with your comfort in mind, ensuring an effective and comfortable orthodontic experience. Let’s look at the various options available to our patients, so you can make an informed choice about the braces that best suit your preferences.
Braces use mild, regular pressure to shift and move your teeth into their desired position. There are several different types of braces and they have a somewhat unique way of achieving your desired outcome.
What are the benefits of Braces?
Braces are mighty – improving the health, function and appearance of your smile:
Straight teeth
Braces work hard to straighten teeth and make a beautiful, healthy smile.
Provide superior oral health
Braces help prevent cavities, wear of teeth, and gum disease (eg. straightening crowded teeth).
Restore proper functions like chewing and speaking
Help to achieve a healthy bite to improve chewing, reducing wear. And, treatment helps with speech impediments caused by misalignment and bite issues.
What is our treatment process?
Our approach to treatment with braces is designed with you in mind:
Custom Treatment Plan
Following your decision to proceed with braces, we will use your 3D scans and digital records/photos to create your customized treatment. And, the best part – you can start paperwork the same day to start treatment!! Or, we’ll book your next appointment to get started at your earliest convenience.
Putting Your Braces On
During this visit, we’ll get your teeth ready for bonding by applying a solution on the teeth. Next, the braces will be placed on your teeth using a special adhesive to hold them into place throughout your treatment. A curing light will harden the adhesive and set the bond. Lastly, we run the archwire through your braces to hold it in place with ligature bands. And that’s it!
Wearing Your Braces
You’ll come back every 8 weeks or so for regular follow-up appointments. These are routing ‘adjustments’ and are faster than your first appointment. We’ll check on your progress and swap out old bands, and possibly the archwire, for a new set. And, you can pick different colors if you like! There will be discomfort from time to time depending on the adjustment – this can last a couple of days and is completely normal.
Treatment Completion
Getting your braces off is a big deal! It’s a giant accomplishment. Removing braces is easy and fast. The brackets come off easily and we’ll remove the bonding material, polish the enamel, leaving smooth and shiny teeth!
Life After Braces
Upon completing your treatment, we’ll guide you on post-treatment needs, such as retainers, based on your case. We’ll schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure your continued satisfaction with your new smile, maintaining ongoing communication.
LightForce 3D Braces
At Cooke Orthodontics, we’re excited to be able to offer LightForce brackets as a treatment option. These 3D-printed braces are custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly, which means an efficient, more discreet, and more comfortable treatment from start to finish.
LightForce is suitable as a treatment option for a variety of orthodontic issues, and can be worn by both adults and teens.
LightForce braces allow for a faster treatment experience and journey. Every LightForce treatment plan is individually designed based on your unique tooth shape, jawline, and facial structure, enabling a perfect fit throughout the straightening process.
The benefits of LightForce Braces
- Efficient treatment, thanks to braces that are designed to exactly match your teeth.
- Ideal results as a result of digital treatment planning and more effective bracket technology.
- The perfect fit, thanks to digital scans.
Ultimately, the cutting-edge technology that LightForce braces offer means a custom fit for every patient. This results in less discomfort, more effective straightening, and shorter treatment times. LightForce is more efficient, more personalized, and more convenient than any other option on the market.
Ready to get started?
Braces FAQ’s
Aren't braces old-school?
These are not your mom and dad’s braces!
- They have been designed over the last 5 years to make treatment faster, more exact, more comfortable and more esthetic
- Dr. Cooke harnesses the engineering of the bracket (science) with her excellent eye for aesthetics (art) and is able to design a functional and beautiful smile.
- Plus, you can celebrate your braces with colors, if you choose!
Do you have clear braces?
Yes! Our preferred brace is a clear, custom made bracket.
Can you add colors to my braces?
Yes! Get creative! There are so many options: your favorite sports team, school colors….we can’t wait to see how you customize yours!
How old is too old for orthodontic treatment? How young is too young?
Our youngest patient is 5 years old and our oldest is over 80. Age is not an obstacle! 1 in 3 patients that Dr. Cooke treats is an adult.
Do I need a referral to see you?
Nope! No referral is needed. Request a consultation HERE.