Best Braces for Adults

With braces there are many options to choose from, depending on your lifestyle and budget.

Adults who make public appearances or interact with clients may prefer Invisalign Clear Aligners for aesthetic reasons. This treatment involves the use of clear, molded plastic upper and lower teeth trays that fit your teeth through each straightening stage, which is about one week per set. This series of clear, removable orthodontic aligners straighten your teeth without the use of metal or wires. Each custom-made aligner moves the teeth progressively into place. The number of trays or “aligners” depends on how much straightening you need.

Invisalign has been referred to as the “sexy” version of traditional braces as they’re almost undetectable when you’re wearing them. Because they’re a smooth plastic, they shouldn’t irritate the insides of your mouth. You may have achy issues as your teeth begin to shift with each pair of aligners, but it usually doesn’t take long for you to adjust. They’re easy to clean, partly because you have to remove them before eating, and because they’re removable, you can brush and floss without issue.

However, treatment with Invisalign requires a certain level of discipline. As they are removeable, one may be tempted to not wear them at times. Invisalign treatment requires one wear the aligners 22 hours per day, otherwise treatment may drag out for years.

If you lack discipline, you may want to consider Clear Braces for adults. They are similar to traditional braces but, rather than using metal, clear braces are made of incredibly strong clear material, making them less noticeable. Our clear braces perform beautifully for our patients. The material stays crystal clear throughout the treatment and does not yellow or stain.

If you are on a tight budget, traditional braces for adults are your best option. Traditional braces have come a long way since you were a kid. Braces have evolved over the years. The brackets used today are smaller, and no longer are bands that wrap around the tooth used. Now, the options are lighter, more comfortable, cheaper, and less noticeable.

Any braces for adults are better than no braces

In addition to the aesthetic reasons for straightening your teeth, there are important health reasons for treatment with braces. It shouldn’t be considered a luxury or “just cosmetic” — not that that’s not important for one’s self-esteem and confidence.

When you have misaligned teeth, plaque and food buildup between your teeth which can make you more prone to gum disease and increased chances of tooth decay, gum and bone loss, irregular wear of the tooth enamel and TMJ/TMD pain. Even migraines or other chronic pain in the head, neck and jaw can be caused by misalignment of the jaw. So there are real health reasons to straighten your teeth, in addition to having a more confident, beautiful smile.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) or At-Home Teeth Straightening – Warning

Dr. Taylor would like to warn people in need of orthodontic care about the dangers in the recent trend of at-home teeth straightening techniques. In some cases these do-it-yourself braces can cause irreparable damage to your teeth and gums.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently reported that many of its member orthodontists have seen patients who have attempted DIY teeth straightening.

Some of the attempts at DIY teeth straightening included the use of rubber bands, dental floss, fishing line, paper clips or other materials. Recently videos featuring amateur tutorials on how to straighten your teeth at home have also surged in popularity on social media and on YouTube.

Our goal is to obtain a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime and while there may be some cost involved in accomplishing this, it can save you a lot of money and grief in the long run by doing it the right way. If you have concerns about the cost of orthodontic treatment, please realize that we at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics offer interest free financing with low monthly payments.

DIY attempts to straighten your teeth may look simple, but it can end up creating worse problems, not to mention costing you thousands of dollars to deal with it.

We offer FREE Consultations with Dr. Taylor. Call us to schedule an appointment to discuss all of your options before you make any attempts at at-home teeth straightening remedies.

Braces for Adults

You should never consider yourself “too old” for braces. Braces for adults has become quite common. In fact, approximately one out of every four orthodontic patients is an adult. And this really only represents a small portion of adults who could actually benefit from orthodontic treatment. The increase of adult braces is mostly due to the availability of more subtle, less visible options like clear braces and Invisalign. As an adult, considering braces can be daunting in many ways. However today there are many options to accommodate most lifestyles.

Some adults may have had straighter teeth when they were younger, or may have even had braces earlier in life. Teeth can shift with age, whether due to injury or just natural growth or other circumstances, previously straight teeth can move out of alignment.

You should know that adults’ teeth don’t move as quickly or as painlessly as children’s do, so you can expect some discomfort initially and when you get your braces adjusted. You might find you have trouble speaking and eating at first but within a few days you will get used to them and be speaking normally.

Invisalign is a great option for Braces for Adults

One option to consider is Invisalign, which straightens your teeth by wearing clear aligners. Invisalign is basically a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. Not only are these braces less visible, but they also are removable so they won’t trap food and plaque between your teeth like metal braces. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

Clear aligners are different from clear braces. Clear aligners are made out of clear plastic and are designed to fit into your teeth, similar to a mouth-guard. Every couple of weeks you start using a new aligner that moves your teeth a little bit more than the previous set. Over time, your teeth are gradually moved into correct alignment.

Not only is Dr. Taylor a Board Certified Orthodontist, but he is the Elite Provider of Invisalign for the Rio Grande Valley.

Clear Braces for Adults is another option

“Clear Braces” are relatively new but highly effective. These braces are very similar to traditional braces, in that they are wired in. But they are practically invisible, unlike metal braces. They are made of clear materials, making them less visible than metal braces, while also being strong and resistant to staining. Clear braces provide the same benefits as metal braces, except that they’re clear!

If you feel that you may lack the discipline required with Invisalign Clear Aligners, Clear Braces may be a better option for you.

Are braces for adults worth the trouble?

You might ask – Is it worth it? While initially the cost of braces might seem high, rest assured they are worth it and may even save you money in the long run. Misaligned teeth, improper jaw positioning or an irregular bite can cause a myriad of problems as you age. But in addition to that, having a professional appearance and greater confidence can also have a significant positive impact on your professional and personal life – more than you may realize.

Explore all of your options

Come in for a FREE CONSULTATION with no obligations and get everything you need to make an informed decision. Here we will take the necessary x-rays and our Board Certified Orthodontist will exam you and formulate a treatment plan and discuss all available options with you. We also have financing options to fit your budget with our in-house, interest-free financing.

Call now to set up your Free Consultation today! 956.630.6166

Financing Braces

No Interest, No Credit Check In-House Financing

And did you say monthly payments as low as $99!

Now that’s a Wow!

Dr. Taylor and the team at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics want everyone to be able to have straight teeth and a beautiful smile. If someone needs braces and they don’t have access to dental insurance, there are options that make it possible for anyone to get braces.

As well, in 2012, Medicaid ceased to cover braces in Texas, unless it is deemed an actual medical necessity. This has created some hardship on families that would otherwise use Medicaid to cover braces for their children.

To help ease the financial burden and put braces within reach for most people, A Perfect Smile Orthodontics launched our own in-house financing program. No credit checks and interest-free low monthly payments are now making it possible for more individuals and family to get the braces they need.

This financing offer isn’t just for traditional braces. It can also be used for Invisalign Clear Aligners and Clear Braces as additional options.

Here’s what you need to do:

Call now to schedule a complimentary consultation at no charge to you. Here you will get the needed x-rays and examination by Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. David Taylor. At this consultation you can discuss all possible options and receive your individualized treatment plan.
Meet with our Finance Coordinator to work out your financing plan. If you want to utilize our in-house financing, this will involve an initial low downpayment and low monthly payments.
Schedule to start your treatment, often as soon as that same day.

We want everyone in the RGV to have a professional and beautiful smile! So call now to schedule your no obligation Free Consultation.

Braces Covered By Medicaid?

braces Quite often we have people contact us to see if we accept Medicaid to cover braces. The question isn’t really if we accept Medicaid – but are braces covered by Medicaid. Unfortunately Medicaid does not cover orthodontic treatment anywhere in Texas.

Up until 2012 Medicaid use to cover braces. In 2012 this all changed and Medicaid no longer covers braces unless it was deemed a medical necessity (such as for complete handling of a cleft palate or other actual medical condition). For 99.9% of the Texas population, Medicaid does not cover the cost of braces.

The truth is that braces really aren’t a luxury when someone needs them. If you or someone in your family has a situation of teeth not being well aligned and straight, this can not only affect their bite and jaw position, it can also adversely affect their self-esteem and confidence and make life that much more difficult.

The good news is that we offer interest-free financing with a low downpayment and low monthly payments. This can put much needed braces into reach for everyone.

Anyone can come in for a FREE CONSULTATION where we do all needed x-rays and Dr. Taylor, our Board Certified Orthodontist, will examine you. You will get an exact treatment plan. We can work with you on the financing to make it possible for you to start your treatment now and pay for it with low monthly payments that are spread out.

We also offer many options is straightening your teeth, including Invisalign and Clear Braces.

Call Us NOW to schedule your complimentary consultation!

956.630.6166

Clear Braces – A Great Braces Option

Straightening your teeth has so many great options that really anyone can have a beautiful smile without much suffering. It use to be that one had to deal with the slow form of torture often referred to as “metal mouth” for a couple of years to get your teeth straightened. Now we have many incredible options.

Invisalign has been a leader in the concept of invisible braces introducing a new way to straighten your teeth using a series of clear aligners that gradually moved your teeth into place. You take the trays out to eat, brush your teeth and put them back in. Invisalign gets great results and can handle most teeth alignment problems. The best thing about the Invisalign treatment is that it’s almost impossible to tell that you are wearing them.

However some people have had a concern that they may lack the discipline to wear the aligners for the required minimum of 22 hours per day. Or they don’t like pulling them out to eat and having to go brush afterwards each time. Or there may be other considerations or concerns.

Clear Braces – The New Kid on the Block

There’s a relatively new option in teeth straightening that not everyone knows about, and that’s CLEAR BRACES!

We have been providing Clear Braces to many patients in the Rio Grande Valley, here at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics. You can see how they look in the larger photo at the top of this post. Clear Braces are almost invisible. Now you can have regular braces but without the metal. Although they are clear braces, they are just as strong. They don’t get discolored and are easier to keep clean than traditional braces. You can read more about Clear Braces here.

A Perfect Smile Orthodontics offers easy payment plans with monthly payments as low as $99 per month.

Come in for a FREE CONSULTATION to see if Clear Braces might be an option for you!

Mcallen Texas Braces – Can you get braces if you have missing teeth?

Our Ortho clinic in McAllen Texas specializes in braces and Invisalign. A not uncommon question that comes up is whether someone can get braces even though they have some missing teeth.

The answer is Yes. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth will often drift into the empty space and this can lead to some real problems. Orthodontic treatment will correct and prevent these problems from happening or correct problems that may have happened as a result of missing teeth.

Here at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics in McAllen Texas, we offer a free consultation so that you can be sure, but in general missing teeth is actually a great reason to consider braces. We can help!

Call us at 956.630.6166 to Schedule

We are open on Saturdays!

If a patient is missing teeth, we have options as to the best way to treat this problem. In some cases, it may be possible to use braces to simply close the gap that has been created by a missing tooth. This may be a great option for someone particularly if they are already dealing with overcrowding. In certain cases where one or more teeth are missing, orthodontics can partially or completely close the spaces left by these teeth. This can reduce or eliminate tooth replacement costs for the patient after orthodontics.

If the missing tooth really does need to be replaced, braces can be applied in such a way as to leave room for a restoration in the future. If the space isn’t wide enough for replacing, braces can be used to widen the space so that there’s room for the addition of an implant or bridge. If there’s already plenty of space available for a dental restoration, braces can be used to hold that area open so that the surrounding teeth don’t move in on the open space (if that would not be detrimental to your overall bite).

Orthodontic treatment can help patients who are missing teeth and improve the health of their teeth and gums. Braces are recommended for patients with overcrowded or misaligned teeth. For patients who have experienced tooth loss, the missing teeth may actually be what is causing their alignment problems due to the surrounding teeth shifting locations.

If you are missing one or more teeth, Dr. Taylor will take this into account when applying your braces. If a missing tooth is going to be restored, the space may need to be widened to make room. In other cases, the space may need to simply be maintained. Or in some cases, braces can be used to simply close the gap with the existing teeth. Dr. Taylor will determine what is best.

This means that not only can braces help alignment issues in patients with missing teeth, they are actually beneficial to a patient in many ways. Braces can align the surrounding teeth properly, close any small gaps between teeth, open up the space left by a missing tooth to make room for restoration, and prevent surrounding teeth from moving into the space left by the missing tooth. Braces can actually help prevent many other problems that could occur if not treated.

Free Consultation With Our McAllen Orthodontist

If you’re missing a tooth and have concerns about the alignment of your teeth, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Taylor. He can work with you to create an orthodontic treatment plan that will take into consideration your missing tooth or teeth and any other dental issues you may be experiencing. Properly aligned teeth will lead to better oral health for you.

Of course, each patient is different, so it’s important to consult with our orthodontist, Dr. Taylor, to find out what will work best for your needs.

Call: 956.630.6166 to schedule your Free Consultation here in McAllen Texas.

Fast Orthodontics, Fast Braces – Do they Work?

Recently, I have had a couple of new patients come to me that have had “Fast Braces” and “Six Month Smiles” treatments in another office.

They accepted this “fast orthodontics” because they were promised shorter treatment times and slightly less expensive fees.

All of these patients came to me for a consultation because they were unsatisfied with the results. Many now have flared front teeth and an uneven occlusion (or bite) that felt worse following “fast orthodontic” treatment.

Short term orthodontic treatment generally focuses on only the front teeth and does not correct malocclusion or how the upper and lower arches come together. The proper fit of the teeth is one of the most important factors for good oral health.

So, if you haven’t tried “fast orthodontics” but maybe you have heard about it, let me give you the straight story on what it is and what it isn’t.

Six Month Smiles is a kind of “braces in a box” kit provided to general dentists with all of the parts included. This service is primarily only offered to general dentists who want to add orthodontic services to their practices. To prepare to be a Six Month Smiles provider, a dentist attends a two-day seminar, after which he can then submit models and begin providing treatment.

As a Board Certified Orthodontist, I have dedicated my life to creating the most beautiful and healthy smiles possible for each and every one of my patients. I always provide the highest quality treatment for my patients and strive to also minimize the treatment time. Healthy, quality orthodontic treatment generally takes between 18-24 months depending on the patient. “Fast Orthodontics” is really just short, incomplete treatments that do not address many of the primary issues of orthodontics. In some cases, just moving the front teeth can actually cause significant problems in the bite and the way the teeth fit together. The result will be uneven wear, grinding or even painful cases of TMJ or TMD.

You should also be aware that “fast orthodontics” often cost almost as much as a very complete, comprehensive, and well planned orthodontic treatment that includes bite correction. The patients who have come to me are often frustrated because they now have to pay for full orthodontic treatment (after Fast Braces) to get things right. The only situation where “fast orthodontics” might be appropriate is for retreatment, where a patient has had a very slight incidence of relapse after full orthodontic treatment and they desire small corrections in alignment or to close a small space.

If you are considering “fast orthodontics,” my best advice to you is something I have always followed: If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right the first time. If there are any real ways of making your treatment shorter without compromising the quality of your results, we will do everything we can to streamline things to get you your beautiful, healthy smile as quickly as possible!

How Long do Orthodontic Braces Take?

The length of time that orthodontic braces must be worn varies from patient to patient. On average though, treatment will typically last between 18 -24 months.

There are 3 major factors involved when moving teeth through the use of orthodontic braces: the amount of force applied, the duration that that force is applied and the natural healing process that must take place. It’s important to understand each of these factors.

In order to begin moving a tooth, a light and gradual force must be applied. This force is generated by the ligature wires and applied at the brackets on each tooth.

Teeth are able to move because the periodontal ligament, what holds the tooth to the bone, is elastic. Because these tissues are living, they can be changed and reshaped. While an excessive amount of force will damage these tissues, too light of a force won’t promote any change or movement. So an even balance of pressure is required.

Even if a perfect amount of pressure is applied to a tooth, it won’t move sufficiently unless the pressure is applied for the correct amount of time. This is due to how the body removes and rebuilds the bone surrounding the tooth.

Cells known as osteoclasts remove bone and ligament in order to allow for movement of the tooth. Additionally, osteoblasts rebuild bone, ligament and cementum to maintain the new position of the tooth. An easy way to visualize this is to consider how a hot knife goes through butter. It melts and separates on one side while reforming and coming together on the other side.

Lastly, and most importantly, is the healing process. If a tooth is moved too quickly it won’t be allowed to heal properly. Just like muscle fibers need time to rebuild after a strenuous workout, the tissues, bones and ligaments of teeth need time to heal reform. This healing time is imperative for treatment with orthodontic braces to be a success.

Can I Make My Orthodontic Braces Work Faster?

While we can in fact move teeth at a faster rate, as you have now learned it would be dangerous and damaging to do so. A slow, gradual movement is required to produce a positive outcome from your orthodontic treatment. But there are ways that you can help speed up the process, or at least avoid lengthening it.

The first is to begin orthodontic treatment as early as possible. It has been deemed by the AAO that children should be evaluated by an orthodontist as early as age 7.

Being able to catch oral health problems before they worsen, and cause more issues, makes a world of difference.

Maintaining proper care of your orthodontic braces is crucial to staying within the estimated treatment timeline. You should floss at least once a day, brush your teeth after every meal and before you go to bed. The purpose of this isn’t just to keep your braces clean. The healthier your gums are, the faster your teeth will move. It’s absolutely necessary to avoid candy, chewing gum and other hard foods your orthodontist warns against. These can bend or break the ligature wire and cause the brackets to come off and in turn slow down treatment.

If any part of your orthodontic braces break or come loose, you should contact your orthodontist and schedule an appointment immediately. Lastly, if you’re required to wear elastics, wear them at all times and be sure to change them every 24 hours.

Moving teeth with orthodontic braces is a delicate and complicated process. How long it takes depends on the level of health of the teeth, gums and supporting bone; the distance the teeth must travel, the amount of room available and the severity of the problems present. These are all factors that determine the length of orthodontic treatment. While it’s not safe to move teeth too quickly, you can help the process run more smoothly by properly taking care of your orthodontic braces and following the instructions of your orthodontist. You may not shorten the actual treatment time, but you will avoid costly mistakes and complications that could lengthen it.

« Previous Page