Orthodontics can conjure up horrifying thoughts of awkward teen years and a mouth full of metal braces and rubber bands. In reality, the field has come a long way toward making teeth straightening more comfortable and unobtrusive for pre-teens, teenagers, and even adults.
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics in McLean and Arlington, our orthodontists, Dr. Lee and Dr. Oh, provide their patients with specialized orthodontic treatment to correct a variety of issues. Call 703-448-1020 to learn more about the treatment options available.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is a commitment that typically lasts many months. Before moving forward, you may want to familiarize yourself with what to expect from treatment. It is also a good idea to find out what services our orthodontists offer as well as the treatment best suited to your needs.
Here are some questions you can ask your orthodontist:
- What are my orthodontic options?
- Is orthodontic treatment painful?
- How long will my orthodontic treatment take?
- Do you offer financing options for orthodontics?
- What kind of dental problems can orthodontia fix?
- Do you offer adult orthodontics?
- Do you offer orthodontics for teens?
What is the Best Age to Start Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment may be the right approach at many different ages.
Generally, your child should have his or her first appointment with an orthodontist by age 6 or 7. As your child grows, the development of their jaw may have to be altered if the jaws are growing narrowly or in a position that is too far forward or backward. If your child is a teen, Invisalign® is a possible alternative to traditional braces.
As an adult, you can receive orthodontic treatment at any age.
What To Consider Before Getting Braces
The best time for your child to get braces depends on a number of different factors, including:
- Your child’s unique dental issues. Instead of thinking of orthodontic care as being needed at a specific age, a more personalized approach is to take your child to regular dental appointments. Our dentists can monitor the development of your child’s teeth and jaws and decide the best time for braces.
- Your child’s self-discipline. Both Invisalign and traditional braces require patient compliance. Careful teeth cleaning while wearing metal braces is essential to preventing tooth decay. Easily removable Invisalign aligners must also be worn at least 22 hours a day.
During a consultation at Galleria Dental Aesthetics, Dr. Lee and Dr. Oh can evaluate your child’s orthodontic needs and determine the best treatment.
Adult Orthodontics
Today, adults make up a significant portion of orthodontic patients nationwide. Even though your mouth has stopped developing, a beautiful smile can still be achieved with orthodontics – even if you never wore braces as a child.
Many adults have some degree of misalignment that has developed over the years. It’s common for adults to seek orthodontic treatment for both aesthetic and functional improvement.
The Right Orthodontic Treatment for You
Invisalign and traditional braces are both viable and effective orthodontic treatments. The key to finding out which is best for you is assessing your unique needs. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, our experienced cosmetic dentists determine whether traditional braces or Invisalign will most effectively align your teeth and bite.
Invisalign and metal braces are both effective in treating many cases of:
- Crooked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Misaligned bites
Generally, Invisalign treats less severe cases of these tooth issues. Sometimes, the tooth movement needed can only be achieved with metal braces; however, the only way to know the right treatment for you is to contact our experienced dentists.
Braces
Dental braces are devices that are placed directly on teeth to move them. They usually consist of “brackets” that are bonded to the teeth and a metal wire that is inserted through the brackets. The metal wires are “adjusted” and work together with the brackets to move teeth into the desired positions.
What Problems Can Metal Braces Correct?
Many people think that orthodontic work is only performed on teeth that are oddly spaced. In fact, orthodontics can help correct a variety of dental issues, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Widely spaced or missing teeth
- Overbite: When the upper teeth extend over the lower teeth
- Underbite: When the lower teeth extend over the upper teeth
- Crossbite: When the upper and lower jaws are out of alignment
Invisalign® Treatment
With the advances in orthodontic treatment today, there is no need to live with an imperfect smile. Galleria Dental Aesthetics is proud to offer the Invisalign treatment plan for our patients.
More than 17 million people have used Invisalign to straighten their teeth and improve their self-confidence.
The Invisalign system is a virtually invisible treatment option that achieves the same final outcome as metal braces but without the social embarrassment, discomfort, and annoyance of traditional braces. The result of Invisalign treatment is a beautiful, straight smile that can increase your personal and professional confidence level.
Invisalign Patient Testimonial
"I used to cover my mouth whenever I smiled, which made me look more shy than I really was. But even though some of my teeth were too small and I had a gap between the two front ones, I was hesitant to get any work done because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to afford it. Dr. Oh really worked with me. He made me feel very comfortable about the whole procedure and gave me a beautiful new smile. Everyone says I smile more now and seem a lot more confident than I ever did before. I just know I look better and feel better about myself because of it. Thank you, Dr. Oh"
Why is It Important to Correct Teeth That Are Crowded or Oddly Spaced?
When teeth are crowded, it becomes very difficult to properly clean the teeth, even with daily brushing and flossing. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Conversely, when the teeth have too much space between them, the teeth can begin to shift over time. This shifting can lead to a malaligned bite, gum disease, and deterioration of the jawbone.
What Are the Risks of Leaving an Underbite or Overbite Untreated?
When the upper and lower teeth do not fit together correctly because of an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, your smile can suffer from a variety of problems, including:
- Excess wear on your teeth
- Gum disease
- Bone loss
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems
FAQs
Orthodontic treatments can significantly improve speech difficulties. They’re especially beneficial for issues caused by misaligned teeth or jaws. When teeth are not correctly aligned, they can interfere with tongue movement and airflow. This results in speech issues like lisping or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.
Braces or Invisalign can correct these misalignments, leading to clearer speech. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, our orthodontic experts in Northern Virginia use advanced technology to diagnose and treat these issues. They ensure that patients achieve a beautiful smile and improve speech function.
Yes, there are long-term maintenance requirements after completing orthodontic treatment. Following these guidelines will ensure your teeth remain in their new, corrected positions.
The most common maintenance tool is a retainer. Retainers help to hold the teeth in place following orthodontic procedures. Regular dental check-ups are also essential to monitor the stability of your orthodontic results.
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we provide detailed aftercare instructions and personalized follow-up plans. These plans help our patients maintain their beautiful, healthy smiles for years to come.
Absolutely, you can still play sports and musical instruments with braces or Invisalign. However, it’s important to take certain precautions.
For sports, wearing a mouthguard is crucial to protect your braces and teeth from injury. You can also remove Invisalign aligners during play if needed.
For musical instruments, you may experience a brief adjustment period. This is especially common for wind instruments. However, most patients adapt quickly and don’t experience long-term challenges.
Like any medical treatment, orthodontic procedures come with some risks and potential side effects. Common issues include mild discomfort or soreness after adjustments and irritation of the cheeks and gums. It’s also possible to develop white spots on teeth if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained.
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we minimize these risks by using advanced techniques and providing comprehensive care instructions. Our team is committed to ensuring your treatment is as comfortable and effective as possible.
Orthodontic care can have a positive impact on your face shape. By correcting alignment issues, braces, and Invisalign can enhance the harmony and balance of your facial features.
Properly aligned teeth support the lips and cheeks more effectively. This will potentially give you a more youthful appearance. Bite correction can also improve jawline definition.
Why Choose Galleria Dental Aesthetics?
Choosing Galleria Dental Aesthetics for your orthodontic treatment means receiving exceptional service with state-of-the-art technology for superior aesthetic results. Our practice is known for top-notch care, personalized attention, and a range of luxurious amenities, including:
- Limousine service to and from the airport for out-of-state patients
- A beverage bar
- Video immersion goggles
- Movies and music
- Concierge services for a seamless experience
Our commitment to cutting-edge techniques and patient care sets us apart. Dr. Lee and Dr. Oh have been recognized as top dentists in the region and America. They provide ongoing personalized attention throughout orthodontic treatment to create remarkable results.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are tired of being embarrassed by your smile and feel that orthodontic work may be the right course of action, please call us at 703-448-1020. Our team at Galleria Dental Aesthetics treat patients living in Arlington, Alexandria, Tysons Corner and the surrounding Northern Virginia areas.
Click here to print the post-operative instructions for orthodontic patients.