Braces Near Me: Are You the Right Candidate?

According to an article by Dentistry IQ, a survey found that 56% of social media-using Americans don’t like their smiles to the point that they hide them in pictures! Fifty-three percent also said they compare their pearly whites with other people on these online platforms.

Are you in the same boat?

If so, you may have found yourself searching online for “braces near me.” It’s smart to undergo orthodontic treatment, as problems with your smile can go beyond aesthetic issues. For example, if you have malocclusion (bad bite), it can increase your risk of experiencing pain, tooth decay, and gum disease.

To that end, the caring team at Gleason Orthodontics, our family orthodontics office in Webster, NY, put together this informative guide. Read on to discover insights to help you determine whether you’re a good candidate for orthodontic services and the types of braces you can choose from today.

Determining Whether You’re a Good Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment

If you notice or experience any of the following signs and symptoms, chances are, you have a malocclusion and can benefit from affordable adult orthodontic treatments.

Visibly crooked or crowded teeth
A crossbite, in which the upper teeth fit inside the lower ones, with your mouth closed
An open bite, characterized by the upper and lower front teeth failing to touch or meet when you close your mouth
“Buck teeth,” a term people use to refer to upper teeth sticking out farther from the lower teeth than they should (medically known as “overjet”)
An underbite, wherein your lower front teeth extend considerably beyond the upper front teeth
An overbite, in which your upper teeth overlap the lower teeth far more than they should
Jaw pain
Frequent accidents involving cutting your tongue on the teeth or biting your tongue
Difficulty pronouncing or enunciating certain sounds because of the tongue’s position under your teeth
A jaw that makes noises, such as clicking sounds, when waking up or chewing

Orthodontic treatments are effective ways to straighten teeth and correct minor to severe malocclusions.

Malocclusions are more than just an “aesthetically” bad or misaligned bite, in which the upper and lower teeth don’t fit correctly, or if the teeth aren’t straight or are crowding against one another. They are also prevalent. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, they impact 48% to 81% of people worldwide.

Types of Braces You Can Choose From

Given that misaligned teeth, jaws, and bites are prevalent, it’s no wonder that orthodontic treatment has gone a long way, with many innovations having paved the way for alternatives to traditional metal braces. Although the latter remains the most common type, people who need teeth and jaw-straightening treatment can now also get clear ceramic braces and aligners.

Let’s explore each of these popular types of braces in more detail.

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the first type of modernized orthodontic treatment. They consist of several parts:

Metal brackets, often made of titanium or stainless steel
Metal archwires, also made of titanium or stainless steel
Elastic ligatures, small rubber bands that you can get in all sorts of colors

When you opt for traditional metal braces, your orthodontist in Webster, NY, will glue the metal brackets on the front center of each tooth requiring treatment. They will then insert the metal archwire through these brackets, connecting them to ensure your braces will apply continuous, gentle pressure and move your pearly whites to more optimal places. To ensure the archwires stay in place, your doctor will secure them to the brackets with elastic ligatures.

Clear Ceramic Braces

The process and concept behind clear ceramic and metal braces are similar. They work much like the other, with the primary difference being their materials.

As its name suggests, clear ceramic braces use ceramic material. At Gleason Orthodontics, our clear braces utilize nearly-invisible polycrystalline ceramic. As a result, the braces’ color is very similar to that of natural teeth.

Since clear ceramic braces are much less conspicuous than traditional metal braces, they make for a more aesthetic option, especially for adults who may feel overly conscious of having glinting metal on their teeth.

It’s crucial to note, though, that clear braces cost more than traditional braces, as ceramic is a more expensive material than metal. They’re also more fragile and can withstand less pressure. As such, they’re best for minor to moderate cases, whereas metal braces may be better if your pearly whites require more drastic changes and movement.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are among the latest additions to orthodontic treatments. Although their process is fundamentally different from braces, their goal is the same: to provide a healthier, straighter smile.

One key difference is that clear aligners are removable, whereas braces are not. The aligners, tailor-made to your teeth and jaws, use a specialized type of polymer that makes them nearly invisible. So, not only do they offer a more aesthetic option than metal braces, but they also provide a higher level of convenience, as you can take them out whenever you need to:

Brush and floss
Eat or drink
Play sports, especially contact ones

Given their benefits and advantages, clear aligners have gained so much traction over the years, with millions of people having chosen them. According to Consumer Affairs, 5 million people underwent treatment using the first-ever type of clear aligners (introduced in 1999) by 2018, a number that rose to 10.9 million by 2020. As of 2023, 17 million individuals have chosen these clear aligners as their preferred orthodontic treatment.

Let Gleason Orthodontics End Your Search for “Braces Near Me”

If you’ve found yourself searching multiple times online for “braces near me,” and you’re in Webster, NY, or nearby areas, we invite you to check out our family-oriented orthodontics office, Gleason Orthodontics.

Our very own Dr. Gleason is a highly experienced and accomplished orthodontist, having completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2006 and being an active and esteemed member of the New York State Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Gleason and the entire team at Gleason Orthodontics welcome patients of all ages from the surrounding communities and always look forward to providing a free consultation.