Traditional orthodontic treatment

Metal & Clear Braces in Chapel Hill, NC

Is it time for you or your child to get braces in Chapel Hill? Braces are often considered a rite of passage for children and teens and are becoming more and more common for adults too. Whether you are looking for traditional metal braces or the less conspicuous clear braces to correct problems with your bite or tooth alignment, Dr. Morgenstern will guide you through your options for orthodontic treatment and an improved smile!

What kind of dental problems can braces fix?

When people think of orthodontic treatment, they typically think of traditional braces. Dr. Morgenstern is a specialist in providing treatment with metal or clear braces for kids, teenagers, and adults. The technology used today allows for brackets to be smaller and more comfortable, bonding material to be stronger, and the wires to be more gentle when moving teeth. Another fun part about braces is that you can add colors or you can keep them completely clear, the options are endless!

Braces are a tried and true treatment option that can be used to correct a wide variety of orthodontic problems including:

Crooked, crowded teeth
Spaces, gaps between teeth
Misaligned, incorrect bite
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Impacted teeth

How braces work and the braces process

Dental braces are an excellent treatment option to improve the appearance of your smile and fit of your bite. Braces can be used for children as part of early treatment, adolescents and teens, as well as for adults. Braces are temporarily bonded to the teeth and connected by a wire that exerts gentle, controlled pressure to move the teeth. As your teeth straighten, the wires will be adjusted or changed to continue moving towards your final result.

The process for braces starts with a free consultation with Dr. Morgenstern to discuss all your treatment options in depth. She will develop a unique treatment plan just for you to ensure you have the best functional and esthetic outcome. Putting your braces on is a simple and easy appointment that takes approximately 1 hour. You’ll routinely come to the office about every 6 weeks to have your progress checked.

Total treatment time depends on the severity of your dental condition and how far teeth need to move. Braces treatment can take anywhere from 6-30 months to complete. At the consultation Dr. Morgenstern will provide you an estimated treatment for your individual case.

Who can get braces?

Treatment with braces is sometimes preferred over Invisalign based on how your teeth need to move. Braces can be used for all age groups including children, teens and adults and to correct many different dental problems. For those who want their braces to be less noticeable have the option of clear braces.

How do I choose between clear and metal braces?

Metal and clear braces work in the same way but are made of different materials and provide a very different look for patients. Both types will fix your bite and straighten your teeth. When choosing braces for you or your child, you’ll want to consider several factors.

The most noticeable difference is esthetics and appearance of the braces. Clear braces are less noticeable and blend it more with the natural color of your teeth. The material that they’re made out of will not stain so you don’t have to worry about drinking coffee or eating spaghetti sauce. If you notice any discoloration after eating it can be easily removed by brushing. Clear braces can be used with clear ties or you can add color ties for a fun pop of color.

The material used to make clear brackets is more brittle so to give the brackets more strength, the clear brackets are slightly larger in size compared to the metal braces. Clear brackets are more likely to break or chip compared to metal braces for this reason too. The material in clear brackets is also more abrasive and can wear down tooth edges if they come in contact for a long period of time. Due to it’s more fragile nature and the possibility of tooth wear, we use clear brackets only on the top teeth and will use metal on the bottom teeth. Metal braces are more durable and strong which is why they’re more commonly used.

We use more clear brackets in older teens and adults but they can be used in patients of any age. Clear brackets are often more expensive than metal brackets. We’re happy to answer any other questions you have about metal vs clear brackets and which might be better for you during your free consultation with Dr. Morgenstern.

Braces FAQ

Let’s answer your questions about braces! At Morgenstern Orthodontics we are happy to share our expertise and answer common questions you may have about braces.

Q: DO BRACES HURT?

A: When you first get braces, they feel different than what you’re used to and there is an adjustment period. Tooth soreness and mild discomfort for the first few days is normal as your teeth start to move and your lips and cheeks get used to the feel of the braces. We recommend using over-the-counter pain medication if needed.

Q: HOW ARE BRACES TIGHTENED?

A: You’ll have your braces checked at our office about every 6 weeks. Your braces may feel tighter after these visits as we continue to put gentle pressure on your teeth to move. The tight feeling can be from a variety of reasons including engaging the wire more into the brackets, changing to a new wire, starting rubber bands, or closing spaces.

Q: WILL I HAVE TO WEAR RUBBER BANDS?

A: Most people will need to use rubber bands at some point during their braces treatment. Rubber bands are used to correct your bite and are very important to achieve a good final result. Some people will need to wear rubber bands more than others and our team will teach you how to wear them when you’re ready!

Q: DO CLEAR BRACES STAIN?

Clear braces do not stain, especially if you have good oral hygiene and keep your braces clean. You don’t need to avoid coffee, tea or wine in fear of staining your braces. The color or clear ties used on your braces can discolor over time though so we change these at each regular orthodontic visit.

Q:ARE BRACES AFFORDABLE? HOW MUCH DO BRACES COST?

A: There are many factors that affect how much your braces treatment will cost including how difficult your smile will be to correct, how long treatment will last, and other details of your unique treatment plan that Dr. Morgenstern will prescribe. We want everyone to be able to have a smile they love and we don’t want finances to get in the way. We aim to provide affordable braces in Chapel Hill to those interested in treatment. We will be able to provide you with a cost for treatment at your free consultation and work with you to come up with a payment plan that works with your budget. Check out our payment options to learn more about cost and insurance benefits for orthodontic treatment.