Braces

It used to be that there was one type of braces: the traditional metal ones. Today, there are many options for fixing crowded, crooked teeth or closing gaps with braces. Depending on your tooth alignment, age, budget, and other factors, our orthodontists can recommend the best option for braces or braces alternatives. These may include:

• Traditional braces. But be advised that these are not the same braces of yesteryear. Brackets are more subtle with smoother edges that won’t rip up your cheeks. The metals are less allergenic and more flexible so that they can tighten teeth more efficiently.
• Clear braces. Invisible braces might have seemed Space Age back in the day, but they’re a very real option now. These ceramic braces come with translucent or tooth-colored brackets, and even the wire that threads through the braces can be crafted out of clear material. Looking for “clear braces near me”? Our orthodontists in Salt Lake City and Lehi specialize in these discreet but effective braces.

Braces for your teeth are a big commitment, so we understand if you don’t want to rush into them needlessly. On the other hand, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to get the best looking smile possible. And beyond that, you don’t want to ignore challenges that could cause you pain and alignment problems your whole life.

You may be a candidate for braces if:

• Your teeth are crooked or misaligned. You can figure this one out with a glance in the mirror. If your teeth are visibly crooked, or if they don’t quite line up right when you bite down or smile, you probably need braces.
• Your teeth have too little or too much space between them. If your teeth look like they are crowded or overlapping, you are inviting dental hygiene problems because it will be hard to clean between them. The aesthetics of a crowded mouth are a problem, too. Gaps, on the other hand, can create problems all their own. Your teeth will have plenty of room to move around over the years, which can ultimately make it hard to bite and chew. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for closing gaps with braces.
• You have an overbite. This means that your upper front teeth stick out too far beyond your lower front teeth (sometimes referred to as “buck teeth”). This is often caused by the shape of your jaw (either too small causing tooth crowding or too large causing teeth to grow too far apart). An overbite can also develop when children use bottles or sippy cups for too long or when people thrust their tongues (push them against their teeth). A significant overbite can lead to jaw pain, sleep apnea, and even speech problems.
• You have an underbite. With an underbite, your lower front teeth stick out beyond your upper front teeth. In severe cases, your jaw could stick out noticeably. An underbite can keep you from being able to open and close your mouth all the way. It can also make it uncomfortable to speak or chew and can cause jaw pain, difficulty breathing, and even bad breath. Severe underbites can cause gum disease, sleep apnea, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which affects the joint that acts like a hinge between your jawbone and skull.