Crooked teeth can make us feel embarrassed to smile and lead to a variety of serious oral health concerns.
Thankfully, braces can tackle even difficult cases in both children and adults, enhancing their smiles while improving their bites.
Timothy M. Kelly, DMD, PA, in Albuquerque, NM, can help you achieve a straighter smile, without the need of an orthodontist.
Request an AppointmentHow Do Braces Work?
Traditional braces are an orthodontic treatment that uses brackets, wires, and bands to apply force to the teeth, gradually straightening them and moving them into their ideal alignment. Dr. Kelly will periodically adjust your braces to ensure the correct amount of pressure is being applied to each tooth.
Who Can Benefit From Braces?
Anyone over the age of seven with misaligned teeth can benefit from an orthodontic treatment like braces. Braces can correct problems such as:
- Crooked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Overcrowding
- Open bite
- Crossbite
How Orthodontics Can Improve Your Life
More Effective Oral Care
Crooked teeth can be difficult to clean, leading to problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. After completing orthodontic treatment, you can easily clean more surfaces of your teeth, improving your oral health.
A Balanced Bite
A misaligned bite can strain your jaw, leading to problems with your TMJ. Aligning your teeth can alleviate the force put on your jaw joints and help you feel more comfortable when you speak and eat.
Improved Confidence
Once braces have straightened your teeth, you may feel more confident showing off your smile. Feeling more comfortable with your appearance can bring a boost to your self-esteem and allow you to feel more sure of yourself in social situations.
Why Go to a Dentist for Braces
INSTEAD OF AN ORTHODONTIST?
Though orthodontists undergo years of special training so that they can provide orthodontic care, many dentists undergo training and attend continuing education seminars to provide these services as well.
Dr. Kelly has an advanced understanding of teeth and jaw issues. In addition to his training in orthodontics, he also specializes in treating TMJ disorders, which can be caused by malocclusion. Patients appreciate his 35 years of hands-on experience and find it convenient to receive care from a dentist they know instead of an orthodontist who may be unfamiliar with their dental issues.
Ready for a Beautiful Smile?
Request a Consultation
Not only can braces give you a straight and dazzling smile, but they can also help prevent serious oral health concerns that can be expensive to fix.
Like an orthodontist, Dr. Kelly is able to provide patients with orthodontic care so they can reap the cosmetic and functional benefits of straighter teeth. But Dr. Kelly can also provide comprehensive dental care that orthodontists cannot, whether that means a routine dental cleaning or a full smile makeover.
Dr. Kelly excels in helping patients with misaligned teeth reclaim the confidence that a healthy smile provides. If you or your child could benefit from receiving an orthodontic treatment like braces, we invite you to contact our Albuquerque, NM, office: (505) 295-5067
Request an AppointmentHow Much Do Braces Cost?
There are several factors that can impact the cost of your orthodontic treatment. Once Dr. Kelly develops your custom treatment plan, we can provide you with an accurate quote so you can properly plan and budget. Here are some ways we can help make your orthodontic treatment more affordable.
Insurance
Our Albuquerque office accepts Delta Dental®, United Concordia®, and MetLife® dental insurance.
Financing
To make treatment more affordable and accessible, our office also accepts financing through LendingPoint™.
Payment Options
We accept cash and checks, as well as Discover®, MasterCard®, and Visa® credit cards.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM START TO FINISH
The entire braces process can take anywhere from 18 months to a few years to complete, depending on the severity of your misalignment. When receiving braces at our Albuquerque, NM, dental office, your treatment plan will involve several steps, including:
Dr. Kelly has been providing advanced dental care for more than 35 years. He offers both braces and Invisalign for more beautiful, healthy smiles.
Consultation
During your first visit to Timothy M. Kelly, DMD, PA, our team will inquire about your medical and dental history, as well as examine the position of each tooth, the alignment of your jaw, and the shape of your dental arches. We will take impressions and X-rays so we can create your personalized treatment plan.
Placing Spacers
Before placing your brackets and wires, spacers will be placed around your rear molars to make room for the orthodontic bands that serve as a connection point.
Attaching Brackets and Wires
During your next appointment, your dentist will bond brackets to each tooth. They will also remove the spacers, place the orthodontic bands, and attach the archwire.
Regular Adjustments
You will regularly return to our Albuquerque, NM, office to have your wires tightened or replaced.
Removal
Once your treatment is complete, the braces are removed. A custom retainer will be made from impressions of your newly aligned teeth.
Exploring Invisalign A Discreet Alternative to Traditional Braes
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign® is a series of aligner trays that reposition teeth into their ideal alignment over a period of 12 to 18 months. Many adults prefer Invisalign because the clear aligners are a discreet orthodontic solution compared to braces.
Who Can Wear Invisalign?
People with mild to moderate misalignment usually qualify for Invisalign. However, they will need to commit to wearing the aligner trays for a minimum of 22 hours per day.
Do You Provide Invisalign?
Yes. In fact, our Albuquerque, NM, office prefers to use Invisalign when the orthodontic treatment makes sense for the patient. However, in cases of severe misalignment, we typically recommend traditional braces. When choosing between Invisalign and traditional braces, Dr. Kelly takes health, function, and aesthetics into consideration.
Oral Care Routine for Braces
Caring for your teeth and gums is especially important when undergoing orthodontic treatment because food debris and bacteria can become stuck in the crevices of your braces. Our Albuquerque, NM, dental office recommends:
- Brushing your teeth 30 minutes after every meal, using a toothpaste with fluoride
- Brushing and flossing every day before you go to sleep
- Taking your time and being gentle when cleaning your brackets and wires
Managing Discomfort From Braces
Though braces offer many benefits, many patients are under the impression that treatment will be uncomfortable and painful. Though you may feel some discomfort when your braces are first placed and each time they’re tightened, the discomfort can be managed by:
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication
- Using orthodontic wax
- Applying a cool or warm compress to the jaw
- Eating soft or cool foods
- Avoiding hard, crunchy, and sticky foods
Maintaining Your Results
Caring For Your Teeth After Your Treatment
Wear a Retainer
After orthodontics, your jawbone will need time to heal around your teeth to hold them in place. Once your braces have been removed, your dentist will instruct you on how often you will need to wear a retainer. In most cases, patients will need to wear a retainer at least some of the time forever.
Follow an Oral Care Routine
Continue abiding by an at-home oral care routine that includes brushing, flossing, and using an oral rinse every day. This can help stave off oral health problems and keep your teeth and gums healthy. Your dentist will also give you instructions on how to properly clean your retainer.
Attend Regular Checkups
Continue to visit our Albuquerque, NM, dental office for regular checkups every six months so that our dentist can monitor the condition and alignment of your teeth and provide you with preventative care. Our dentist will also check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces
Q. Do braces hurt?
Q. Does dental insurance cover braces?
A. Your plan and coverage may vary, but dental insurance often covers at least a portion of your orthodontic treatment. We will verify your coverage before your treatment begins so you can accurately plan and budget.
Q. Is there an age limit for braces?
A. Not at all! Adult patients can greatly benefit from treatment with braces. Braces can give you a beautifully straight smile regardless of your age.
Q. How long does orthodontic treatment with braces take?
A. The average treatment is about 18 to 24 months. However, your timeline may vary depending on the severity of your orthodontic concern and if you adhere to treatment requirements.
Q. How long do I have to wear a retainer after my braces are removed?
A. Dentists and orthodontists suggest wearing your retainer every night when you sleep. This prevents your teeth from shifting out of place and helps maintain your beautifully straightened smile for years to come.