Learning that you or your child needs orthodontic treatment might be intimidating, and researching all your questions can quickly become time-consuming and confusing. If you’re tired of having a million browser tabs open and reading conflicting information in hard-to-understand medical jargon designed to make you call their office, you’ve come to the right place! With patient education and your convenience in mind, our team at DiMarzio Orthodontics wrote this blog to answer orthodontic FAQs in one spot!
What Is The Difference Between The Treatment Options?
For more complex cases, surgery might be required. Though Dr. DiMarzio and Dr. Marczak do not perform surgeries, they collaborate with oral surgeons to help you achieve a functional smile that is flattering to your facial features. But surgery is not required or even recommended for everyone; we can treat most patients with our noninvasive option: braces.
At DiMarzio Orthodontics, we proudly offer a variety of braces types so we can treat a broad range of cases and give as many people in the South Shore area a reason to smile! Let’s check them out.
- Metal Braces – This option has been around for years, but don’t let their traditional reputation push you away from them. Metal braces are now smaller and more comfortable than ever and are great for patients of all ages. Our metal braces use top-of-the-line modern technology like stainless steel brackets and thin but strong wires to move your teeth. Their durability makes them excellent for various bite needs, from mild to complex. Because we glue metal braces to your teeth, so you will have to modify your diet and oral hygiene routine during treatment for a pleasant experience and the best possible results.
- Clear Braces – These fixed braces have one significant difference that sets them apart from metal braces—they don’t use metal brackets! Clear braces use brackets made of a tooth-colored ceramic mix to blend into the teeth for a less noticeable appearance! The 3M Clarity brackets we use at DiMarzio Orthodontics are stain resistant, so you don’t have to worry about discoloration. Like metal braces, you must adjust your diet and hygiene regimen accordingly. Since ceramic brackets can chip or crack, we recommend clear braces for adults and older teenagers who can care for them.
- Invisalign – Clear aligners are removable braces! They are transparent and custom-made so that you can have a subtle, comfortable fit! Invisalign uses advanced technology, like an interactive 3D scanner, to create your series of personalized aligners! Each set is slightly different to guide your teeth into new positions gently. Because of their removability, you will not have to change your diet or oral hygiene routine. We offer Invisalign programs for teens and adults!
Am I Too Old For Braces?
Absolutely not! Though treatment can sometimes be more straightforward and quicker in children, that does not mean that adults cannot participate in care! DiMarzio Orthodontics proudly offers care for all age groups! Everyone deserves a beautiful, functional smile they are proud of, so don’t let your age stop you from improving your quality of life with braces.
Do Braces Hurt?
This is a tricky question. Braces can hurt, but they shouldn’t! Usually, you shouldn’t feel anything worse than slight discomfort during the adjustment periods, of which you have two kinds. The first is the initial adjustment when you begin wearing your fixed or removable braces. The second kind is after any changes are made, such as wire tightenings or wearing a new clear aligner. During these moments, you will likely feel soreness or tenderness, but your braces should not cause pain.
The only time when braces might be painful is if you have suffered an injury, have damaged or broken braces, or your braces are ill-fitting. If your braces are causing you pain with no apparent cause, please schedule an appointment with our office right away so we can find and fix the issue!
Do Braces Restrict My Diet?
That depends!
The best way to maintain the transparency of your clear aligners is to avoid consuming food that stains your teeth, like tomato-based products or coffee, because they can transfer to your aligners and discolor them. However, we don’t consider this necessary because the aligners are changed every two weeks, so even if they become discolored, you’ll have a new pair soon!
On the other hand, fixed braces do not come off, so you must change your diet to keep your oral health and braces in good condition. The wrong kinds of food can get stuck in and break your braces, so watching what you eat is important! Clear braces patients are encouraged to also avoid staining food and drink, but again, because we swap out your ligatures every six to eight weeks, it’s unnecessary. To learn more about what you can and shouldn’t eat with braces, click here.
Do I Need To Wear A Retainer?
Yes! Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment! Even though your alignment is perfect and we’ve completed your braces treatment, your teeth are still not ready to be left alone.
When your braces apply pressure to your teeth, the bones in your jaws are broken down and reabsorbed to make your mouth—metaphorically—soft and squishy so the teeth can move. When active treatment ends and we remove your fixed or removable braces, your mouth is still “soft and squishy.” Unfortunately, your teeth will take advantage of that and try to return to their original locations!
That’s where your retainer comes in! Retainers hold your teeth in place until the mouth resolidifies. At first, you will need to wear your retainer 24/7, except for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene. Over time Dr. DiMario or Dr. Marczak will slowly reduce the amount you need to wear it. (Patients with fixed retainers need to speak to our orthodontist team about the duration of use.)
Neglecting to wear your retainer can result in needing retreatment, so make sure you follow the instructions!
Have More Questions? DiMarzio Orthodontics Has The Answers!
We are here for all your orthodontic needs! Our knowledgeable team can help guide you through the orthodontic process! Contact our Quincy office to get all the answers you need! When you’re ready, schedule a free consultation with us to discover what orthodontic care can do for you or your child!