Braces in Post Office Square, Boston, MA

Braces are orthodontic tools used to correct alignment issues with the teeth and jawbones. While most people who get braces are teens, they are a great idea for adults with misalignment issues. As you wear your braces from Post Office Square, your teeth will slowly start to straighten and align into the proper position. If you have crooked teeth, crowding, or misaligned teeth, you should consider investing in braces.

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Why You Might Need Orthodontic Care

Any sort of misalignment in your body can lead to:

  • Damage/wear and tear
  • Pain
  • Overcompensation by another part of the body

The same is true of tooth/jaw misalignment. When your teeth and jaw are out of alignment, it puts excessive bite pressure on some of the teeth. This can result in sore/bruised teeth, chips, cracks, and even broken teeth. Additionally, the misalignment can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the face and neck, which can result in chronic headaches, facial pain, and poor range of motion in the jaw and neck.

Straightening your teeth with braces in Post Office Square is not just about achieving a straight, esthetically pleasing smile. However, if we are honest, that is a part of it! However, the main reason we would recommend orthodontic care to our patients is so that their teeth and jaw joints can function normally with minimal strain and no pain.

General Dentist vs. Orthodontist

Many general dentists perform orthodontic corrective therapy. They can help with straightening crowded or crooked teeth, as well as some jaw alignment issues, such as:

  • Overbite: When the upper front teeth extend beyond the bottom teeth
  • Overjet: When the upper front teeth extend beyond the bottom teeth at an angle instead of remaining vertically straight
  • Crossbite: This is where the upper jaw is narrower than the lower jaw, making the teeth fit inside the lower teeth instead of on top of them. A single tooth can be in crossbite, or multiple teeth can be in crossbite. You can also experience anterior crossbite (just of the front teeth) or posterior crossbite (when the back teeth are out of alignment, as well).
  • Underbite: This is a situation in which the lower jaw is positioned forward, causing the lower front teeth to sit in front of the upper front teeth.

In situations where a patient has very complex orthodontic needs, they will be referred to an orthodontist – a specialist who has at least two years of extra training. The orthodontist can utilize other orthodontic tools besides braces, including headgear and palatal expanders.

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Types of Orthodontic Options in Post Office Square

In our practice, we offer three types of orthodontic services that will fit a variety of needs.

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional braces consist of metal brackets, an archwire, and rubber bands. The metal brackets are bonded onto the front of the teeth, and the archwire fits into the brackets. The archwire guides the teeth to shift into their proper positions. The rubber bands hold the archwire in place. Every few weeks, we will change the archwire and bands. This orthodontic adjustment is necessary for the teeth to continue shifting into the proper position.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces in Post Office Square are like traditional metal braces, except the brackets are made of porcelain or ceramic. Because of this, they can match the shade of your teeth and are virtually undetectable. Likewise, the archwire can be light-colored or transparent. We can also use clear or white rubber bands, but if you want a bit of fun, you can choose colored rubber bands, too.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners that look like whitening trays. We send models of your teeth to the Invisalign company, and they create custom aligners. Every few weeks, you will receive a new set of aligners. The reason for this is the same reason we perform an orthodontic adjustment on patients in traditional braces – to keep the teeth shifting.

Each aligner is a bit different. They will feel tight when you first wear them, but they will eventually start to feel like they fit perfectly or are loose. At this point, the teeth will stop shifting, so new aligners are needed.



A Better Bite Leads to Better Health

An aligned bite will help contribute to a straighter smile. But there is more to it than that. An aligned smile will also contribute to better oral health, making it easier to thoroughly brush and floss, thereby reducing your risk of gum disease and decay.

Also, an aligned bite ensures that there is an equal amount of bite pressure on your teeth, which can make chewing more comfortable. This can assist with better digestion and assimilation of nutrients, improving your overall health.

We cannot wait to talk to you about all the ways orthodontic care can help you achieve optimal health.

Do you need braces? Curious which option is best for you? Call us at (617) 426-6011 to schedule an orthodontic consultation.


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