TYPES OF APPLIANCES (BRACES, CLEAR ALIGNERS):

There are many options to align teeth, change the bite, change smile characteristics (gum exposure in the smile, shapes of the dental arches, relationships of the teeth to the lip line,etc)

Fixed Appliances (cemented to the teeth)

Metal Braces

These are the most common types. they are made of high-grade stainless steel. Today’s braces are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive.

There are different forms of these ranging from:

- Standard

- Damon brackets (they have small mechanical doors)

- Sport shaped braces (footballs, soccer balls, etc)- actual braces are in the shape of sport balls.

Here at Nevada Orthodontic Care, we offer all varieties of braces.

Clear Braces

These are most popular with adults and some teenagers because of their clear appearance.

Gold Braces

These are stainless steel braces that are covered with a 24-karat gold plating.

Lingual Braces (tongue side braces)

Braces can be placed on the tongue side of the teeth so that they are completely invisible and can be used to treat a wide variety of cases. There have been have been many advances in these types of braces in recent years. However, they are more complicated for the orthodontist to work with and, therefore, requires a higher fee be paid to provide and work with these type of braces for the patient.

Removable Clear Aligners:

These are a series of perfectly clear plastic coverings that are placed in over the teeth to move them a little at a time. The most popular of these is “Invisalign” but there are other companies that produce these aligners. As time has gone by, and our knowledge of how these clear aligners can be used, it is now possible to treat a wider variety of orthodontic problems than than in years past.

Here at Nevada Orthodontic Care, with the experience and innovation that I am able to provide (and which I teach at UNLV orthodontic residency), clear aligner can be used in conjunction with elastic bands (rubber bands) and other aids to correct many types of orthodontic problems!

About the Author: Cal Heinrich

Dr. Heinrich has decades of experience in the clinical practice of orthodontics. You can learn more about Dr. Heinrich on Google.