All About Braces
Although it is more commonly known for braces, the field of orthodontics is a special discipline of dentistry that focuses on improving your child’s smile, and oral health by re-aligning the teeth and jaw of your child.
Our mission is to provide high quality orthodontic care to our patients while maintaining a fun, friendly office environment. Dr. Shotell and our expert team work hard to get to know every patient individually, and we strive to design specialized treatment plans to perfectly suit every patient’s unique orthodontic needs. We see patients of all ages at our office, but one age group is far more common than any other: teenagers.
Adolescent Treatment
Braces have almost become a right of passage for teenagers, and there’s good reason for that: by age 12, most permanent teeth have completely erupted, making it easy to detect and correct problems with the bite or jaw. Teens also have fast metabolisms and growth spurts, which we can harness to expedite treatment and move the teeth more quickly. Finally, braces are so common for teens that they’re far less resistant to orthodontic treatment – and in many cases, teens want to get braces just to look cool!
Treatment Options
We offer a wide variety of treatment methods to suit our teenage patients. Our treatments include:
Metal Braces
This is what most people think of when they hear the word braces. This method uses metal brackets cemented to the teeth in concert with a narrow metal wire to move teeth to their optimal positions. It’s a time-tested method that’s durable, reliable, and affordable. We can even customize braces with uniquely colored elastics!
Clear Braces
Similar to metal braces, however, they use clear brackets to make braces less noticeable! This method uses ceramic brackets cemented to the teeth in concert with a narrow metal wire to move teeth to their optimal positions. Similar to traditional metal braces, it’s a time-tested method that’s durable, reliable, and affordable, while giving a less noticeable braces appearance. With the fast advancement of technology, braces today are less obvious and more comfortable than the old styles. New braces are comfortable and fashionable! Old braces can now be replaced by newer braces that are either clear, or next to invisible.
Invisalign
This is the popular system, which uses a series of clear, removable plastic aligners to straighten teeth. The aligners are virtually invisible when worn, meaning there’s no need to worry about having braces during school pictures or prom, and they can be popped in and out to eat, drink, brush, and floss – so they carry no dietary restrictions and maintaining oral hygiene is as easy as ever! In addition to these advantages, each Invisalign aligner comes with a special Blue Dot Wear Indicator that tells if the aligner’s being worn enough… it’s the perfect treatment for busy, socially conscious teens!
Contact Dr. Shotell, Your Sonora, CA Orthodontist
Want to find out more about orthodontic care for your teenager? Are you an adult interested in straightening your teeth? We’re here to help. Feel free to call us at (209) 536-1954, reach out to us at our contact page, or use our easy online form to schedule an appointment at our Sonora, CA office. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that’ll last them the rest of their life!
