Personalized Orthodontic Care Designed Just For You
At My Smiles Orthodontics, we believe that every smile is unique—and so is every treatment plan. We are committed to making your orthodontic experience comfortable, convenient, and truly exceptional. Below, you will find detailed information on the variety of services we provide, including traditional, clear, and modern accelerated options. Ready to feel confident about your smile? Take a moment to explore our offerings and discover the perfect path forward.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common and time-tested method for straightening teeth. The system uses durable stainless steel brackets and wires fixed to the front of the teeth to apply gentle, continuous pressure.
They offer exceptional effectiveness and are highly effective for complex movements, including severe crowding and significant bite corrections. Often the most cost-effective option, they provide predictable, comprehensive results for patients of all ages.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets, offering a less visible option.
The perception of braces has significantly shifted among children and teens. Historically, young patients often felt embarrassed or self-conscious about wearing conspicuous metal braces. However, today, braces are far more accepted, and many kids actively embrace the experience, often demanding colorful braces—customizing them with brightly colored elastic ties, or “ligatures,” to express their personality and turn their orthodontic treatment into a fashion statement rather than a source of shame.
Lingual Braces
Brackets and wires are placed on the back of the teeth, making them nearly invisible.
Lingual braces offer the power of traditional braces while being virtually invisible, as the brackets and wires are custom-placed on the back (tongue-side) of the teeth. They are an excellent option for adults and teens prioritizing discretion for comprehensive tooth straightening and bite correction.
Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign)
Clear aligners offer a virtually invisible and comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces, utilizing a series of custom-made, clear plastic trays to gradually guide your teeth into perfect alignment. Unlike traditional braces, the aligners are removable, giving you the freedom to eat, drink, brush, and floss normally, supporting better oral hygiene and eliminating food restrictions. Ideal for treating a wide range of issues from crowding to spacing, clear aligners allow you to achieve the straight, confident smile you desire discreetly, often with fewer and shorter office visits.
Palatal Expansion
The service is generally called Palatal Expansion or Maxillary Expansion, and the device used is the Palatal Expander (often referred to as a Rapid Palatal Expander or RPE).
This orthodontic service is a foundational step, especially in children, designed to widen the upper jaw (maxilla).
How it Works
- The Appliance: The expander is a fixed device cemented to the back upper teeth, resting against the roof of the mouth. It has a central screw mechanism.
- The Goal: The upper jaw is made of two separate bones that join in the middle (the midpalatal suture). In children and younger teens, this suture is not fully fused.
- The Action: A small key is used by the patient or parent to turn the central screw daily. This turning applies gentle, continuous outward pressure, causing the two halves of the jaw to slowly separate and widen.
- The Result: Widening the jaw corrects a crossbite (where upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth) and creates more space for crowded permanent teeth to erupt properly, often reducing the need for tooth extractions later. It can also improve nasal airflow and breathing.
The appliance typically stays in place for several months, even after the desired expansion is achieved, to allow new bone to fill in and stabilize the expanded jaw.
Post-Treatment Care: Retainers
Congratulations on achieving your ideal alignment. The final phase of treatment—retention—is crucial for maintaining your beautiful results.
The Importance of Retention
After your orthodontic treatment concludes, the soft tissues and bone surrounding your teeth require time to stabilize in their new positions. If left unchecked, teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original spots (relapse). Consistent retainer wear acts as the permanent safeguard, ensuring the investment you made in your smile lasts a lifetime.
Our Durable Clear Retainers
Our preferred retainers are fabricated from a specialized, high-density thermoplastic material. This material is significantly thicker and more durable than the standard aligners used for active tooth movement. While the aligners focused on moving teeth, the retainer is built to passively hold them firmly in place for years of nighttime wear.
Dual Benefit: Protection from Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
An added advantage of the custom, robust design is the retainer’s ability to serve a secondary function. Because it creates a protective, custom-fit barrier between the upper and lower arches, your clear retainer offers light-duty protection against the forces of teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism). This helps to minimize the natural wear and tear on your enamel that can occur at night.
- Please Note: While our retainers provide excellent light protection, individuals experiencing moderate to severe grinding should consult with their doctor for a dedicated, heavy-duty nightguard solution.