Braces In Washington For Kids, Teens & Adults
Creating Smiles For The Entire Family
Types Of Braces
At Comfort Dental Braces, we provide a range of braces options to accommodate your lifestyle and finances. In order to ensure that our patients are happy with the treatment we have recommended, we always go through all of their options thoroughly before making a final decision. We offer a range of orthodontic treatments, including traditional metal braces and 24k gold braces, to ensure you feel confident during and after treatment!
Traditional
Traditional metal braces are used for orthodontic treatment more often than any other method. Brackets and wires composed of stainless steel are attached to your teeth and progressively tightened to shift them into place. The traditional metal braces are quite efficient, but they need to be adjusted frequently to keep the process going. They might be a drawback for some individuals because they can be seen when you talk or smile.
Ceramic
Clear ceramic braces are an option for people who don’t want their orthodontic treatment to be as apparent. These utilize the same basic technology as conventional metal braces but replace visible metal brackets and wires with clear ceramic brackets that blend in with your teeth, making orthodontic treatment less obvious to others. Similar to standard metal braces, this alternative requires tightening regularly. Still, they are an affordable, discreet, and efficient way to straighten your teeth.
24k Gold
Our 24k gold braces are similar in functionality to that of ceramic and traditional braces but with an added flair. They are created using the same strong, durable stainless steel brackets and archwires which are then coated in pure 24k gold. You can still customize the elastic bands, too, if you’d like. These braces add an extra sense of style to your appearance if you’re interested in making your braces part of your unique look.
Damon Self-Ligating Brackets
If you’re interested in trying the latest technology in braces, our office is proud to offer Damon self-ligating braces. Instead of using rubber bands and ties, self-ligating braces take a different approach using clips instead. These clips hold the archwires in place and are much thinner and more efficient than traditional braces. This means you can finish your treatment in less time. Plus, their small size makes for easier cleaning and maintenance.
Braces For Kids
Early Treatment With Braces For Kids
When it comes to your child’s orthodontic health, prevention is key. Our knowledgeable professionals will consult with you and your child to explain the many advantages of beginning orthodontic treatment at an early age and develop a treatment plan tailored to their specific requirements.
Braces for orthodontic treatment should be considered for children as early as age seven. Orthodontists can prevent more serious complications by beginning treatment early. Overcrowding, a misaligned bite, or projecting teeth are all issues that can be addressed by orthodontic treatment. Generally speaking, getting children started with braces sooner rather than later can help them achieve better outcomes in less time and require fewer corrections in the future.
Common Issues That Can Be Identified Early
Some of the most prevalent early indicators for orthodontic problems in kids are:
- Discomfort during biting or chewing
- Crooked or overlapping teeth
- Premature or delayed loss of baby teeth
- Misaligned jaw
- Problems with speech, including lisps
Habits like thumb-sucking and mouth-breathing are also warning indications of orthodontic problems. Please contact us immediately if you have any of the above symptoms.
A visit with Dr. Clawson will be able to confirm if this is the case or not. With an examination, dental records, and X-rays, he can tell you if your child needs orthodontic treatment in Lakewood and Federal Way, WA.
Braces For Teens
Why Orthodontic Treatment Matters for Teens
Braces for teens in Lakewood and Federal Way, WA, can feel like a turning point in your teen’s life. Becoming a teenager is also associated with individuality and creating their own sense of self, which means a whole lot of changing and developing. One of those changes is often in their smile.
Getting braces as a teen is essential for becoming more confident in their appearance but also for better dental health. Teens are still undergoing development and growth, meaning it is much easier for the teeth and jaws to be aligned because they are still growing. Once they have fully developed, it will become much more difficult–and costly–to undergo orthodontic treatment. Not to mention, it is much easier for teens to have braces when they know there are plenty of their peers going through the same thing.
By requesting a free consultation for braces in Lakewood and Federal Way, WA, you’re encouraging and aiding your teen in their developmental years.
Life With Braces
Getting used to wearing braces might feel like a huge change for some teenagers, but it just takes some adjusting. We provide a wide variety of choices to make sure your braces suit your own taste. We’ll work with you to get the results you desire, whether you choose classic metal brackets or transparent ceramic brackets.
While wearing braces, it’s important to take extra care to avoid eating things that might potentially break or loosen the brackets, such as nuts, popcorn kernels, and sticky candies. This shift doesn’t need a complete dietary change or the elimination of all your favorite foods; rather, it calls for careful adjustments to your snacking and dessert habits. Foods like jerky, popcorn, and candy should be avoided in favor of fish, ice cream, and pasta, all of which are softer and easier to chew.
However, the most vital aspect of wearing braces is maintaining good oral hygiene. Plaque and other dental troubles can develop if food remains between brackets and wires instead of being removed. Teens with braces in Lakewood and Federal Way, WA, should maintain good oral hygiene by brushing after every meal and flossing at least twice daily. Quality mouthwash can also aid in the battle against plaque and germs. Taking better care of your teeth now can help guarantee a great smile in the future.
Braces For Adults
How Can Orthodontic Treatment For Adults Help?
In spite of the common belief that orthodontic treatment is only appropriate for teenagers, many adults are benefiting from wearing braces or other comparable devices. Methods and procedures for correcting misaligned teeth and improving oral health have advanced significantly. Realigning your teeth and jaws can improve your oral hygiene and physical appearance by eliminating crowding and allowing for proper care.
In addition to the cosmetic benefits, orthodontic treatment can have an enormous effect on a person’s oral and general health by decreasing the likelihood of cavities and gum disease. Plaque and bacteria buildup is less likely to occur on teeth that are straighter because they are easier to clean. Additionally, braces can address any bite issues and lessen jaw muscle strain by dispersing the forces of chewing more evenly. It’s important for people who are considering braces to remember that they shouldn’t allow their age to stop them from getting the treatment they need.
Treatment With Braces For Adults
Adults are growing more inclined to get braces to improve their appearance and oral health. As more and more individuals realize the benefits of orthodontic treatment for their teeth and smiles, the demand for adult braces has skyrocketed.
Here at Comfort Dental Braces, we focus on treating adults who are seeking healthier teeth, whether they want a more aesthetically pleasing smile or are looking to correct bite issues. Our experienced orthodontists will work with you to identify your specific requirements and develop a treatment strategy to help you achieve your objectives. Metal, ceramic, and gold braces are just some of the options for braces that we provide. With these options, we are sure to provide braces that make you feel confident while undergoing treatment. Contact us today to request a free consultation for braces for adults in Lakewood and Federal Way, WA.
Braces FAQ
Comfort Dental Braces is happy to provide traditional metal, clear ceramic, 24k gold braces, and Damon self-ligating brackets. Our traditional braces are a great option for those looking for a reliable and simple orthodontic treatment. Although, for those looking to show off their appliance and make it part of their style, our 24k gold braces are a beautiful option that stands out. Or try self-ligating brackets, a cutting-edge treatment option for aligning the teeth efficiently. Ceramic braces are a discreet treatment that blends in with the teeth and is preferred by many adults and teens.
No, your braces should not affect your speech. The first few days to a week can be an adjustment, and you may notice a slight difference in speech during this time as you adjust to the feel of the braces. However, it should return to normal after this time. If you notice that your speech is still being affected after a week or two, please contact our office, and we’ll make the necessary adjustments.
If you wear braces, you know that eating some of your favorite foods might be challenging. When you have braces on your teeth, it’s best to avoid eating sticky foods like caramel, taffy, gum, and other similar items. Cutting raw carrots and apples into little pieces can also help prevent damage to the wires and brackets. You should also limit your consumption of crunchy foods like chips and popcorn since biting down on them might loosen or damage your braces. Don’t worry, you can still eat delicious food even while wearing braces; all you need to do is make a few modest dietary modifications and plan ahead.
If anything becomes stuck in your braces and you need to get it out, consider using dental floss or a toothpick first. However, you may need to consult an orthodontist for assistance if the item is too stubborn to remove on your own. While wearing braces, it is quite easy to remove any debris that becomes lodged between the teeth. Please contact our team if you ever find yourself in this predicament, and we can assist with any advice for cleaning your braces.
You can still play sports while wearing braces. Make sure to bring this up to Dr. Clawson so he can provide you with a mouthguard to ensure you are not injured, and your braces aren’t broken when playing sports. Wearing a mouthguard during sports is important, as injuries with braces can be incredibly painful.
In most cases, no, braces are not painful. In recent years, orthodontic appliances like braces have come a long way, both in terms of comfort and efficiency. The brackets are affixed to the teeth one by one to provide perfect fit and optimal results. To further lessen the likelihood of pain, we utilize a specialized adhesive. It is normal for your teeth to feel uncomfortable or aching for the first few days after getting braces as they adjust to the pressure of the braces, but this should subside quickly.
