What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a specific area of dentistry which deals closely with the prevention and treatment of misaligned or crooked teeth. The main objective in orthodontic* treatment is to give you an ideal bite, meaning all of your teeth line up to feel and look their best.

There are different ways to correct your bite and get straight teeth. The most common way to correct teeth is by using a fixed appliance, or braces. With braces, brackets are bonded to your teeth to hold wires and bands, which then help shift the teeth into the correct position through gentle and steady pressure.

A new development in technology provides another, more aesthetic means of straightening teeth. Invisalign is an orthodontic* appliance made from a hard, clear acrylic that fits over your teeth (much like a retainer or whitening tray) and is worn 22 hours per day. A new appliance is typically given every two weeks as the teeth become straighter. The advantages of Invisalign are not only evident in its nearly invisible appearance, but also in your ability to remove the aligner to eat with ease and maintain good oral hygiene