If you have crooked teeth, alignment issues, or an uneven bite, there’s a simple way to improve your smile and dental health, and it begins with a customized orthodontic treatment plan. Both traditional orthodontics and short term orthodontic treatments in North Carolina can correct the most common orthodontic issues, improve teeth aesthetics, enhance the smile, and boost patient confidence.
Comparing Short-Term and Traditional Orthodontics Treatments in North Carolina
At our Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry locations across North Carolina, we specialize in orthodontic treatments. This branch of dentistry corrects teeth and jaw issues to promote improved oral health, straight teeth, and a beautiful smile. When left untreated, orthodontic issues can result in significant issues, including jaw and tooth discomfort, headaches, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and even tooth loss.
Fortunately, the right orthodontic treatment plan can help patients easily avoid these issues. At our North Carolina locations, we offer short-term and traditional orthodontic treatments and will help determine which is right for you at an initial consultation. Both treatments are effective options for patients who want straighter teeth and improved alignment and who want to correct orthodontic issues.
Traditional Orthodontic Treatments
Traditional orthodontic treatments typically take up to two years to effectively straighten the teeth and correct orthodontic issues. They will address and correct the most severe forms of misalignment and prevent the actualization of dental health concerns.
The best candidates for traditional orthodontic treatments are children, preteens, teenagers, and adults with more significant orthodontic concerns that require a more extensive treatment plan to effectively correct these issues and help them achieve their treatment goals.
Short-Term Orthodontics
Short-term orthodontic treatments are designed to straighten the teeth within six to nine months. These treatment options are effective for patients who want straighter teeth and an improved smile but don’t have the one to three years that traditional orthodontic treatments typically take.
The best candidates for short-term orthodontic treatments are patients with fully developed jaws and teeth who don’t require drastic orthodontic adjustments. Short-term orthodontic treatment plans can successfully correct minor alignment issues, cosmetic concerns, and crooked teeth. They are also more cost-effective than traditional treatment options simply because patients will need to undergo treatment for less time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Orthodontic Treatments?
Orthodontic treatments benefit patients who want to improve their oral health and smile. The treatment plans are completely customizable and designed for each patient’s unique needs. Before beginning treatment, a thorough orthodontic examination will be completed to identify the primary concerns. Then, the orthodontist will custom-tailor a treatment plan using traditional orthodontics or short-term orthodontic treatments per the patient’s needs.
The type of treatment and the length of the treatment plan will also be customized based on the patient’s primary orthodontic issues and treatment goals. Not only can treatment plans improve oral health, but they can also improve teeth aesthetics, which will naturally increase patient self-esteem and confidence.
What Can Orthodontic Treatments Correct?
Orthodontic treatments can correct alignment and bite issues and prevent dental conditions and concerns. They’re a popular prescriptive treatment for common dental issues, but they are also preventative in that they can help prevent early tooth loss, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. We can create customized treatment plans to address the following:
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Spacing issues
- Speech issues
- TMJ
- Crowding
- Teeth rotation
- Impacted teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Overlapped teeth
- Headaches and neck, shoulder, and back pain resulting from alignment issues
What Should I Expect From My Orthodontic Treatment Plan?
The first step in an orthodontic treatment plan is an initial consultation at one of our locations. When you come in for your initial visit, you’ll meet with the Smith Family and Cosmic Dentistry team, who will discuss your dental health, specific needs, and treatment goals.
You can save time at your initial visit by printing out and completing the new patient forms at home prior to your appointment. We accept the top carriers of in-network insurance companies and provide financing options like CareCredit to ensure that orthodontic treatment plans are as affordable as possible.
Excellent Care
Our goal at our Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry locations is to provide each patient with exceptional dental care. If you’re visiting our office for orthodontic treatment, you can expect excellent, patient-centered care at our state-of-the-art facility.
We’ve created a relaxed, modern environment where patients can feel welcome and enjoy their treatment experience. We aim to build lifelong relationships with each of our patients and provide the highest quality of dental services. Not only do we provide an unmatched patient experience, but we also offer emergency dental services and convenient hours to make appointment setting simple and seamless.
Versatile Treatment Options
Even though short-term and traditional orthodontic treatments are one of our specialties, we also provide various dental services that improve and restore dental health. When you visit one of our locations for orthodontic treatment, you won’t have to find another office when you need to undergo other dental services.
You can schedule your routine dental examinations with us and any additional treatment options you or your family may need. Our treatment options include the following:
- Teeth whitening treatments
- TMJ/TMD treatment
- Tooth extractions
- Root canal treatments
- Sealants
- Removable dentures
- Gum disease therapy
- Professional teeth cleanings and examinations
- Porcelain veneers
- Oral cancer screenings
- Dental implants
- Fillings
- Crown and bridgework
What Are the Different Types of Orthodontic Treatment Options?
When it comes to orthodontic treatments, whether short-term or traditional, there should never be a one-size-fits-all approach. Each patient requires a specific treatment plan based on their mouth, the orthodontic issues they want to correct, and their treatment goals.
Common orthodontic treatment options include clear aligners, retainers, braces, and palate expanders. While braces are the most common treatment option because they gradually move the teeth into the desired position, clear aligners and palate expanders can also help patients achieve their orthodontic treatment goals.
Determining the Right Treatment
The best way to determine which option is right for you is by scheduling a consultation during which an experienced orthodontist can evaluate your teeth, take the necessary X-rays to examine your bone structure and teeth alignment, and then recommend the right orthodontic treatment to help you reach your treatment goals, improve your smile, and achieve and maintain optimal dental health.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Orthodontic Treatment Plan?
The best candidates for orthodontic treatment plans are patients facing the most common orthodontic problems who want to improve their smile, overall chewing abilities, appearance, and oral health. Some patients may not qualify for treatment, including those with diseased gums, significant tooth decay, and any other serious dental issues that could worsen as a result of orthodontic treatment.
At your initial consultation, the orthodontist will identify any potential dental issues and recommend the right treatment option before you undergo orthodontic treatment.
The right orthodontic treatment plan can revolutionize your oral health, improve your smile, and make you feel more confident about the appearance of your teeth. If you want to determine whether you’re a candidate for short-term or traditional orthodontics, we can help design the right treatment plan. Contact one of the Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry locations in Sneads Ferry, Porters Neck, Jacksonville, Goldsboro, Hampstead, Wilmington, Surf City, or New Bern, NC, to schedule your first appointment.