Orthodontic treatment works after 40, but it works differently. Adult bone remodels more slowly, so treatment often takes somewhat longer, and existing dental work, gum health, and worn teeth all factor into the plan. Both braces and clear aligners are effective; the deciding factors are your bite and your dental history, not your age. Teeth […]
Braces vs. Invisalign After 40: What’s Different for Adults? Read More »
Yes, you can usually get braces or clear aligners with crowns, bridges, implants, or missing teeth — but the plan changes. Crowns can be bonded to or moved with aligners, natural teeth move normally, and implants do not move at all because they are fused to bone. Your orthodontist plans around those fixed points. This
Can You Get Braces or Invisalign With Crowns, Implants, or Missing Teeth? Read More »
A braces adjustment appointment usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. Your orthodontist removes the elastic ties, checks progress against your treatment plan, replaces or adjusts the archwire, re-ties the brackets, and updates elastics or other attachments. Most patients are seen every 4 to 8 weeks. Patients call it “getting my braces tightened,” which is close
What Actually Happens at a Braces Adjustment Appointment? Read More »
Invisalign aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours per day, every day. That leaves about two hours for meals, drinks other than water, and brushing. Consistent wear is the single biggest factor patients control in how fast treatment finishes and whether it stays on schedule. Almost every delayed aligner case we see traces back
How Many Hours a Day Do You Have to Wear Invisalign? Read More »
Clear aligners move teeth by applying gentle, continuous pressure to specific teeth in each tray. That pressure triggers bone remodeling: bone dissolves on the side the tooth is moving toward and rebuilds behind it. Each tray moves teeth roughly a fraction of a millimeter, and the series adds up to a straight bite. It looks
How Do Clear Aligners Actually Move Your Teeth? Read More »
What is Invisalign? Invisalign is a clear aligner system that uses custom-made, removable trays crafted from BPA-free SmartTrack thermoplastic to gradually move teeth into proper alignment. These nearly invisible aligners offer working adults a discreet, comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces. If you’ve been thinking about moving your teeth into proper alignment but worry about
The Professional Advantages of Invisalign Read More »
You’ve put in months (or years) of work with braces, and now your smile looks amazing. But here’s the thing: keeping that smile means wearing your retainer. The short answer? Yes, most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers indefinitely to protect your results. Let’s break down exactly what that looks like and why it matters. What Are
Do You Have To Wear Retainers Forever After Braces? Read More »
What Is the Best Age to Get Braces? The AAO Recommends Starting at 7 If you’re wondering when your child should see an orthodontist, you’re not alone. Most children get braces between ages 9 and 14, but the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. It’s one of the
What Is The Best Age For Braces For Kids? Read More »
So you’ve been looking into ways to move your teeth into proper alignment without the look of traditional metal braces. Two options keep coming up: clear braces and clear aligners. If you’re weighing clear braces vs. clear aligners, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear at Larson Orthodontics from families
Clear Braces vs. Clear Aligners — Which One Should You Choose? Read More »