Orthodontics & Specialty Care
Braces in Jenkintown, PA
Fixed appliances that move teeth a little at a time.
Braces work by holding a gentle, continuous force against a tooth. Bone remodels around the root in response, and the tooth moves into its new position – slowly, predictably, and in a direction that was planned before the first bracket went on.
Exceptional care for a lifetime of healthy smiles
The short answer
Braces at MVP Family Dental
Traditional metal or ceramic bracket orthodontic systems that gradually straighten teeth, correct bite alignment, and improve jaw function.
Fixed braces are still the most versatile way to move teeth. Because the brackets are bonded on, the force is applied continuously and in three dimensions, which means rotations, root positions and larger movements are all within reach.
They are also not going anywhere between appointments, which matters more than it sounds. Treatment that depends on an appliance being worn only works if it is worn.
How treatment works
Planned first, then adjusted
Orthodontics is a sequence of small planned movements rather than one event. Most of the appointments are short.
- Assessment and recordsExamination, photographs and imaging establish where the teeth are, where the roots sit and how the jaws relate.
- The treatment planThe intended movements and the appliance to achieve them are agreed with you before anything is fitted.
- Fitting the bracesBrackets are bonded to the teeth and connected by an archwire. Nothing is drilled.
- Adjustment visitsThe wire is changed or adjusted at intervals so the force keeps working in the planned direction.
What braces can address
Not only crooked teeth
Appearance is the usual reason people ask, but several of the reasons to treat are functional.
- CrowdingTeeth overlapping because there is not enough room in the arch for all of them to line up.
- SpacingGaps between teeth, whether from arch size, missing teeth or tooth proportion.
- Bite relationshipsHow the upper and lower teeth meet – overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite are all bite problems rather than tooth problems.
- Cleaning accessOverlapped teeth are harder to clean, so alignment is a preventive measure as well as a cosmetic one.
The appliance
Choosing what goes on
Which appliance suits a case depends on the movements needed, not on preference alone. Your dentist will explain what your case requires.
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Metal braces
Stainless steel brackets and archwires. The most versatile option and the one that handles the widest range of movements.
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Ceramic braces
Tooth-colored brackets that are less conspicuous, working the same way as metal ones.
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Clear aligners
A removable alternative for suitable cases – see the Clear Aligners page for how they compare.
Is treatment right for you
What the assessment decides
Braces move teeth through bone, so the health of the bone and gums around them comes first. Any decay or gum disease is treated before an appliance is fitted, because brackets make cleaning harder rather than easier.
Age is much less of a limit than people assume. Growth is useful in some cases and irrelevant in others, and plenty of orthodontic treatment is carried out on adults.
- Children and teensGrowth can be worked with – see Interceptive Orthodontics for treatment during development.
- AdultsTeeth move at any age, provided the bone and gums supporting them are healthy.
- Health firstDecay and gum disease are treated before an appliance is fitted.
Worth asking at your consultation
- What specifically will be moved, and in what order.
- Which appliance options your case allows, and why.
- How often adjustment visits will be needed.
- What the retention plan is once the braces come off.
During and after
Cleaning around brackets
Brackets and wires create places for plaque to sit that were not there before, so cleaning takes longer and matters more. Interdental brushes and a floss threader reach where a brush cannot, and hygiene visits continue through treatment.
When the braces come off, retainers begin. Teeth that have been moved will drift back toward where they were without retention – that is not a failure of treatment, it is how teeth behave. See the Retainers page.
Straightening the teeth is the visible half. Keeping them there is the half that decides the result.
MVP Family Dental · Jenkintown, PA
Braces Questions
- How do braces move teeth?
- They hold a gentle, continuous force against the tooth. The bone around the root remodels in response and the tooth moves into its planned position.
- Do braces hurt?
- Teeth are commonly tender for a short period after fitting and after adjustments. Tell your dentist if anything is sharp or persistently painful.
- How long does treatment take?
- It depends entirely on what has to be moved. Your dentist will give you an estimate for your case at the planning stage, once the required movements are known.
- Am I too old for braces?
- Teeth move at any age, provided the bone and gums supporting them are healthy. A good deal of orthodontic treatment is carried out on adults.
- Braces or clear aligners?
- It depends on the movements needed. Fixed braces handle the widest range; aligners suit many but not all cases and depend on being worn. See the Clear Aligners page.
- How do I clean my teeth with braces on?
- It takes longer. Interdental brushes and a floss threader reach around the brackets and wire, and hygiene visits continue through treatment.
- Is there anything I cannot eat?
- Hard and sticky foods are the usual causes of a broken bracket. You will be given specific advice when the braces are fitted.
- What happens when the braces come off?
- Retainers. Teeth drift back toward their old positions without retention, so retainers are part of the treatment rather than an optional extra.
Dr. Vineetha Thomas, D.M.D.
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Dr. Priya Mathew, D.M.D.
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