Braces
Braces are brackets joined by a wire that the doctor adjusts at check-ins to move the teeth into a plan. They are for children, teens and adults whose bite or crowding calls for them.
Services
What happens
Check-ins are usually every four to ten weeks, and treatment commonly runs from about a year to two, depending on the case.
Step 1: Records and a plan
Photos, a scan and sometimes X-rays. The doctor shows you the plan and the choices.
Step 2: Braces go on
The brackets are placed and the first wire fitted. You learn how to clean around them before you leave.
Step 3: Check-ins
The doctor adjusts the wire, checks progress and tells you what is next. Each visit is short.
Step 4: Braces come off, retainers begin
The brackets are removed and retainers are fitted the same day or soon after.
Services
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
Teeth are often sore for a few days after braces go on and after some adjustments. Soft food helps, and wax is on hand for any wire that rubs. We tell you what else to do.
If you wait
Waiting is a choice. Crowded or crossed teeth can be harder to clean, and some bite problems do not change on their own. The doctor says what she sees and what she cannot know.
Risks and after-care
Brackets can come loose, and white marks can show on teeth that are not cleaned well around the braces. In some patients the roots shorten a little, which the doctor watches for. Teeth move back if retainers are not worn.
How it is billed
We put the fee for the whole course in a written estimate, and your plan decides what it pays. Retainers may be in the estimate or billed separately; the estimate says which.
How fees work
Questions about braces
Metal or ceramic?
Both move teeth. Metal brackets are smaller and sturdier; ceramic ones are less visible and can stain more easily. The doctor goes through what suits your teeth and your day.
How do I clean with braces?
Slowly, and more often. Sienna or Jomar shows you how to brush around the brackets and thread floss under the wire before you leave the first visit.
Can I play sports or an instrument?
Usually yes, with a mouthguard for contact sports. Some instruments take a few weeks to get used to; tell us which one you play.
What if a bracket comes loose?
Call us. We tell you what to do until you are seen and fit you in as soon as the schedule allows.
Care from Dr. Salwa Zaytoun, orthodontist
Her orthodontic residency and board are listed under Credentials.