Parks, Schmit & Fuller Orthodontics is your Cedar Rapids braces expert
We proudly create beautiful new smiles for patients of all ages in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding communities. If you're looking for someone you can trust to provide a brilliant straight smile in the Cedar Rapids area, the team at Parks, Schmit & Fuller Orthodontics is here for you. We proudly offer patients a variety of orthodontic options, including traditional metal braces and ceramic braces. Both of these traditional braces options are some of the most effective tools we have for achieving optimal tooth and jaw alignment.
Braces treatment with your Cedar Rapids braces expert
Before we put your braces on, our team will collect digital x-rays, photos, and a model of your mouth. We will then use this information to create a customized treatment plan based on your particular orthodontic needs. This plan will include information about the movements each tooth needs to make in order to achieve optimal positioning, and determine how your brackets are placed.
Once the brackets have been attached, a wire is inserted to provide customized pressure on all the teeth that need to be moved. Through a process called remodeling, which slowly moves the teeth into the correct position, bends in the wire will encourage specific and precise movements of the teeth. This process involves minor changes in the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. When your braces put pressure on a tooth, cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts form around its root. This works together with the wire to create negative pressure on one side of the tooth, where bone will be removed. On the other side of the tooth, the bone is reformed.
Remodeling requires constant pressure on the tooth. This means that teeth will often begin drifting back towards their old positions over time once your braces are removed. This means the regular use of a retainer is required to help prevent this natural drifting and keep teeth in their new and improved positions!
What your Cedar Rapids braces expert offers
All of our treatment options are excellent and can correct a variety of oral issues, from simple to complex. Traditional metal braces often work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might, potentially shortening your overall treatment time, while also representing a cost-effective option for patients on a budget. Did you know that today's braces are better than ever? The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional braces are a big part of why they've withstood the test of time and are still the top orthodontic treatment year after year.
Metal Braces
Tried-and-true traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces used. These will normally be constructed with high-grade stainless steel. The braces work to straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. The metal braces that we offer today are more comfortable and also more fun than ever. You have the option of choosing colored elastics to add a punch of personality to your treatment. If you prefer a more subtle approach, we also offer clear or tooth-colored elastics.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work the same way metal braces do, but the brackets are made with a clear ceramic material instead. They are another great option for straightening your teeth. They are used more often on the upper teeth than the lower teeth. They're very popular with our older teen and adult patients because they are such a discrete treatment option. Since the brackets tend to be a bit larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts, we normally won't recommend them for our younger patients.
Using traditional braces, you can often see visible signs of improvement relatively quickly, which can help increase your confidence in both your smile and the orthodontic process!
Your trusted Cedar Rapids braces expert
We believe that advanced, personalized care leads to the best results and most positive orthodontic experience at Parks, Schmit & Fuller Orthodontics. Using our leading-edge techniques and state-of-the-art technology, we will provide efficient, comfortable care that will help you change both your life and your smile. We focus on patients as individuals, no matter the age, personal concerns, or clinical needs. When you choose braces treatment with our practice, we will create a treatment plan that works with your life.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started!