Braces Expert in Yelm
If you're looking for someone you can trust to provide a brilliant straight smile in the Yelm, WA area, the team at Whitewater Orthodontic Studios is here for you. We proudly create beautiful new smiles for patients of all ages in Lacey, Parkland, Yelm, and surrounding communities. We're proud to offer patients various orthodontic options, including traditional metal braces and ceramic braces. Traditional braces are one of the most effective tools we have for achieving optimal tooth and jaw alignment.
How Braces Work
Before applying the brackets, Dr. Leavitt and our team will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Sometimes we will use our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and your gums and mouth's layout. This process takes 10-15 minutes and provides an extremely accurate 3D view of your mouth.
After the X-Ray and optional scan, the information will help create your customized treatment plan, including how each tooth needs to move to get it in the best position.
Dr. Leavitt will decide how to place the brackets based on this information. For example, if you have some teeth that need to be tilted, placing those brackets will differ from how we place brackets for teeth that need to be turned.
Dr. Leavitt will insert a wire after the brackets are attached to provide customized pressure on all the teeth that need to be moved. Through remodeling, bends in the wire will encourage specific and precise movements of the teeth. Remodeling can only happen while braces put constant pressure on a tooth. This means that teeth will often begin drifting back towards their old positions once your braces come off if you don't wear a retainer. Fortunately, using a retainer faithfully will keep your teeth where they belong, in their improved positions!
Because braces get right down to work, you'll be able to see progress right away. It may not seem like much, but sometimes seeing even a slight improvement in your smile can give you an encouraging boost on your orthodontic journey.
Yelm Braces Options
Most patients we treat choose traditional metal braces to straighten their teeth. While metal braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment, you have several other options, including clear braces. Traditional braces have stood the test of time thanks to their strength, durability, and affordability. This is a big part of why they've withstood the test of time and are still the top orthodontic treatment year after year.
Metal Braces
Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. Still, because of modern orthodontics, you will benefit from versions that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before.
Metal braces are cost-effective because they don't require some more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces keep them the top treatment for orthodontic patients, year after year!
Clear Braces
Our clear braces are designed to be less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces. They're smaller than ever and made of nearly invisible tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material.
We think ceramic braces are better suited to adults and older teens. This is because ceramic brackets are more likely to break, and they're more expensive than metal brackets.
No matter what kind of traditional braces you choose, conventional braces, you can often see visible signs of improvement relatively quickly, which can help increase your confidence in both your smile and the orthodontic process!
Whitewater Orthodontic Studios is Your Trusted Braces Expert
Using our leading-edge techniques and state-of-the-art technology, we will provide efficient, comfortable care that will help you change your smile and your life! At Whitewater Orthodontic Studios, we believe that advanced, personalized care leads to the best results and most positive orthodontic experience. Dr. Leavitt and the rest of our skilled team focus on patients as individuals, no matter the age, personal concerns, or clinical needs. When you choose braces treatment with our practice, Dr. Leavitt will create a treatment plan that works with all parts of your life.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started!