Traditional Braces in Eastern Missouri

One of the many treatment options provided at Demko Orthodontics is traditional braces. With three convenient locations, it is easy for patients all over the St. Louis area and beyond to receive treatment. Locations are in Chesterfield, St. Charles, and Washington, Missouri. Contact us to schedule an appointment at your most convenient location.

Traditional braces consist of brackets that attach to the teeth and are connected by a wire. This wire and bracket system is used to shift the teeth into proper alignment. Traditional braces can be metal or ceramic (clear). Sometimes rubber bands, springs, and other devices are used in the process to achieve the desired results. 

Braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment. Nearly half of all people will need braces to correct orthodontic issues of some kind. Up to 80% of the population can benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Traditional braces are still the most widely used orthodontic treatment because they are:  

• Effective. Traditional braces can correct most orthodontic issues. The system of brackets and wires make it possible to shift the teeth and even reshape the jaw into the ideal position for the teeth and bite to align properly. Braces are the most powerful, non-surgical orthodontic treatment.

• Affordable. In many cases braces are the most economic option for orthodontic treatment. If you have dental insurance with orthodontic coverage, the treatment can be even more affordable.

• Modernized. Braces technology has been improved significantly over the years. The brackets are now smaller, more subtle, and more comfortable. The application process is much shorter and adjustments are easier to implement.

• Customizable. Traditional braces can be customized throughout the treatment process to make specific types of adjustments based on what happens with the teeth as the patient grows and develops.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for traditional braces is to have an evaluation. Demko Orthodontics can evaluate your teeth and bite to determine whether or not braces would be effective for the corrections you need. Most patients can achieve the desired results with traditional braces.

Most orthodontic practices offer traditional braces, but not everyone does it like Demko Orthodontics. At Demko Orthodontics, we believe that orthodontic treatment is most effective when it begins in the early years and continues throughout adolescence. Not all patients will require early treatment, but every child should have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. Early treatment and growth modification can help the teeth to come in properly, reducing the length of future treatment.

The length of treatment varies from one patient to another, but the average timeframe is anywhere from 1-3 years. With early treatment, your time in braces may be on the shorter end of the range, but when starting treatment in adolescence, it may take longer.

In some cases braces are more effective than Invisalign. It depends on the individual patient’s needs. Invisalign works for patients with mild orthodontic issues, but more severe issues typically require braces.

When you first get your braces put on you may experience some discomfort in the hours and days following. This is because your teeth are shifting out of their usual positions and the support structures are loosening up for the first time. In less than a week, your mouth will be used to the braces and the discomfort will subside. You may also have some mild irritation on the inside of your cheeks and lips due to the brackets and wires until you get used to them. Over-the-counter pain medication may help manage your discomfort.

There is not a specific age that is best for everyone, but the most common age for braces is in adolescence, between the ages of 11 and 14. By this age, most of the baby teeth have been shed and the permanent teeth are in place. Adolescents are also prone to growth spurts, which is helpful during braces treatment. 

Schedule an evaluation today by contacting us at your most convenient location.