For centuries, braces have been a trusted and reliable way to improve the alignment of a person’s smile. You might think that they are just for children and teens, but the Smile Advanced Dental Center team provides braces for patients of all ages in the Summerville, SC area.

Braces are one of the most common orthodontic treatments available that help achieve a straighter, healthier smile. Braces work by improving your smile gradually, gently realigning your teeth. Braces consist of a system of metal brackets, wires, and bands. The brackets are attached to the front of your teeth and are connected to each other through the use of a metal wire and bands. As we adjust the wire, the braces guide your teeth to their ideal positions in your smile. Ceramic braces are also often available, which are the same color as your teeth for a more discreet orthodontic option.

If you have ever wanted your smile to be straighter and more attractive, braces may be right for you. With braces, we’re able to correct orthodontic issues such as:

• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Misaligned teeth

Problems with the bite, including:

• Cross Bite,
• Open Bite,
• Underbite and Overbite

During your treatment, you will visit our office on a regular basis so we can make sure that your braces are adjusted as needed to continue progressing toward a straighter, healthier smile. Our skilled dentists and team will help you reach all your oral health and appearance goals through personalized, high-quality care.

Our dentists at Smile Advanced Dental Center may recommend MTM® Clear•Aligners for patients who are looking for a more discreet orthodontic treatment for straightening their teeth. Each MTM® Clear•Aligner is custom-designed to fit your smile and is made from smooth, thin plastic to give you a treatment that is comfortable and virtually invisible. This type of orthodontic treatment is especially popular among teens and adults.

MTM® Clear•Aligner can be used to treat the same orthodontic problems that are traditionally treated with braces, including:

• Bad bites
• Crooked and crowded teeth
• Gapped and spaced teeth

As you progress through your treatment, you will switch to a new set of aligners every couple of weeks. Each new aligner will make small corrections to the alignment of your teeth, gradually moving them into their proper positions until you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. You will also meet with our dentists every few weeks so that we can monitor the progress of your treatment.

MTM® Clear•Aligner is removable, so you can eat and drink what you want and brush and floss with ease. It’s important to clean aligners regularly. If left dirty, aligners can cause teeth to appear stained or discolored.

Congratulations! Your braces are coming off or maybe you are on your last set of clear aligners. So, it is time to put your treatment behind you, right? Well, you are not quite finished, although you are almost there.

Next up is the retainer!

A retainer is a custom-made oral appliance often used to maintain the alignment of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. If you have finished your orthodontic treatment, our dentists at Smile Advanced Dental Center will likely recommend a retainer to keep your smile properly aligned. As you age, your teeth tend to shift, but the retainer ensures that your teeth remain in correct alignment for optimal oral health, functionality, and appearance. There are three main types of retainers available:

•  Hawley retainers consist of wires and clasps embedded in a plastic body that covers the roof of the mouth (for the upper arch) or lies along the tongue-side of the teeth (for the lower arch). The clasps fit around certain teeth to anchor the retainer in place, while the wire arches across the front of the teeth to maintain their alignment.
• Clear retainers are made of clear plastic and fit snugly over the teeth. A clear retainer is usually more discreet than a Hawley retainer, although it may not be as durable.
• Fixed retainers, also called bonded or permanent retainers, are permanently attached to the backside of the front teeth. They prevent the teeth from shifting out of place and can only be removed by a dental professional.

Our dentists will help you determine whether you need a retainer after your orthodontic treatment. For more information, we welcome you to call us today at 843-873-1261.

In some cases, your bite may need help beyond braces or clear aligners. At Smile Advanced Dental Center, our dentists and team can improve the way your upper and lower jaws come together with a palatal expander.

A palatal expander is an orthodontic appliance used to widen the upper jaw in order to help the upper and lower teeth fit together better. When you visit with our team, we will analyze your teeth and bite to determine the services that are appropriate for your specific needs. Many of our patients require adjustments to their bite in order to help their top and bottom teeth fit together in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. If your upper jaw is too narrow, our dentists may recommend a palatal expander to widen your jaw and allow space for the teeth to properly align.

The palatal expander works by gradually stretching the soft cartilage of the palate, making room for crowded permanent teeth without the need for extraction. Based on your individual needs and preferences, your expander may be removable or fixed.

We can help you learn more about palatal expanders during your next appointment at our friendly office in Summerville, SC.