Traditional Braces – Raleigh, NC

The Standard Method for Straightening Smiles

You might think of having crooked teeth as ‘just’ an aesthetic concern, but the truth is that tooth and bite misalignments can also affect your oral health. For instance, it’s harder to clean teeth that are gapped or overlap, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Traditional braces are the standard method for straightening smiles, and fortunately, our team in Raleigh has the qualifications and technology to offer this tried-and-true treatment. Continue reading to learn more about this service and how it works!

Why Choose Dalton Hunt Dentistry for Traditional Braces?

  • Member of The American Orthodontic Society
  • Advanced Technology for Improved Comfort & Accuracy
  • Flexible Financing Available

How Do Traditional Braces Work?

White-gloved hands holding set of model teeth with braces

Traditional braces consist of metallic brackets that are attached to the fronts of your enamel. These are threaded with an archwire to apply sufficient tension to shift your teeth or jaw into their ideal positions.

You’ll be required to schedule periodic follow-up visits every six to eight weeks so our team can monitor your progress and adjust the wire tension as needed to keep your smile on track.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?

Nose-to-chin view of blue-gloved hand placing band on patient’s braces

This standard solution has a long history of successfully straightening even the most severe bite and dental misalignments, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best way to meet everyone’s unique needs.

Before proceeding, you must schedule a consultation with our team so we can examine your condition and determine whether you’re a good candidate. Then, based on our findings, we might recommend braces to address the following types of concerns:

Bite Misalignment

Profile nose-to-chin view of woman’s overbite with braces

If your upper and lower teeth don’t meet where they should when you bite down, you might wear down your enamel unevenly or prematurely. This can also force your jaw to overwork itself to perform basic functions, like chewing and speaking, which can contribute to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) soreness, stiffness, or disorders.

With the help of bands and other accessories, braces can be used to ease your jawbone into a more proper alignment.

Crowded & Crooked Teeth

Nose-to-chin closeup of woman’s crooked teeth with braces

Crooked or overcrowded teeth can make it challenging to reach all their surfaces when brushing and flossing, which can lead to oral issues such as tooth decay or periodontal disease. You might also develop weakened enamel that’s prone to injuries, like chips and cracks.

Traditional orthodontics can pull your teeth to their ideal places and improve your dental health.

Gapped Teeth

Closeup of someone’s gapped teeth with braces and orange bands

Wider spaces between teeth can trap food and other debris, encouraging unhealthy bacteria in your mouth to form plaque and cause dental disease. Thankfully, braces can close the gaps to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.

Caring for Your Braces

Closeup of standard and interproximal toothbrushes held to foreground by someone with braces

Your orthodontics will be attached to your enamel throughout your treatment, and proper care is vital to avoiding potential complications. You can help maintain them by:

  • Cleaning them consistently. You should brush and floss twice daily to remove harmful residue that causes cavities and gum disease. You might require special interproximal brushes or a water flosser to reach around the brackets and wires.
  • Choose foods carefully. Our team will provide a list of foods to avoid, like anything too hard, crunchy, or sticky, that could damage or dislodge a bracket or snap a wire.
  • Schedule routine visits. You’ll be expected to see our team periodically to check in on your treatment progress and adjust the tension of the wires as necessary.