Braces for Children and Adults in Florida
If you live in the Brandon suburb of Tampa, Florida, we can help your entire family with braces!
For a beautiful, radiant smile and perfectly aligned teeth, try braces. From traditional metal braces to ceramic and self-ligating braces, Busciglio Smiles offers the latest in orthodontics technologies. We are experts in creating amazing smiles and providing our patients with the best orthodontic services in Florida.
What Are Braces and What Do They Do?
Braces are a special type of orthodontic appliance that straightens crooked teeth and fixes bite abnormalities. They are adhered to the front of the tooth and connected with each other with supporting devices such as wires or rubber bands. The tension between the braces helps to gently guide the teeth into the correct position over time.
Braces are an excellent way to fix common orthodontic problems such as misaligned teeth, tooth gaps, top and bottom teeth not lining up properly, and overcrowded teeth. The first modern braces were invented in 1819, and they have been safely used as a way to correctly position teeth for more than 100 years.
Braces have evolved since they were first used on a dental patient. Today’s braces are smaller, lightweight, and more comfortable. They also have a variety of color options.
The average time to wear braces is between one to three years.
Who is a Good Candidate for Braces?
Braces are for both children and adults. Braces are a tried-and-true way to straighten teeth and create a beautiful smile. They are durable, safe, and highly effective. With modern fashion color options, braces have become popular with kids because they can customize their braces for the style they want.
Adults choose braces for their convenience – once installed, braces don’t have to be removed, though patients need to come in periodically for adjustments.
Self-ligating braces are often considered to be the best option for people who want a low maintenance option – they are quicker to install and maintain as well as easier to clean. While you still need to visit the dentist periodically to adjust your self-ligating braces, they take less time than traditional metal braces.
The downside of braces for adults is that they are visible, so Invisalign clear aligners are a great option if you want a no braces appearance.
When Can a Child Start to Wear Braces?
For children, braces are optimally worn between the ages of 8 and 14, after the permanent teeth have come in.
If a child has lost a baby tooth too early, or a permanent tooth hasn’t come in quickly enough, a space maintainer might be utilized. The space maintainer helps keep the surrounding teeth better positioned. However, a space maintainer is not the same as a full set of braces, which is only recommended once the permanent teeth have fully come in.
Types of Braces
There are a number of types of braces to choose from. Here are the braces we offer at Busciglio Smiles:
Mini-Twin Traditional Metal Braces
When we place traditional metal braces, we use a special type called “Mini-Twin” bracket appliances. These advanced brackets are small and thus more comfortable for patients. They feature “Ultra-Lock” high-retention pads, which enables them to adhere properly to the tooth surface and stay put. Along with this bracket technology, we offer the option to select color elastic bands to customize your braces, which is quite popular with kids and teens.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces pretty much work just like traditional metal braces, except the brackets are made of ceramic instead of metal. Ceramic brackets come in clear or tooth-colored variations, so they blend in with your teeth. Ceramic braces can cost a little more than metal braces, so sometimes people choose ceramic braces on the top teeth and metal braces on their bottom teeth, which don’t show like the top teeth do.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces are an increasingly popular option for braces because of their convenience and effectiveness. How do they work?
Self-ligating braces look very much like traditional metal braces. The difference is that self-ligating braces use spring-loaded clips or brackets instead of elastics, rubber bands, or metal ties. The spring-loaded brackets gently position your teeth into the correct location. Self-ligating braces put less pressure on the teeth than traditional metal braces and thus may be more comfortable. They also take less time to adjust during your follow-up appointments at the orthodontist.
What is the Process for Getting Braces?
Our orthodontist will work with you and your child to select the right kind and style of braces. We will start with an exam and X-rays to determine the right course of treatment. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you have!
