No Case is Too Complex for
Traditional Braces

Amidst the creation of several new types of orthodontic solutions, braces remain a trusted, effective treatment option. In fact, traditional braces are ideal in cases of extreme overcrowding, rotated teeth, significant gaps, and a severe overbite or underbite. At our practice, we are proud to use American Orthodontics brackets. These brackets are smaller than traditional types, which means they are less irritating to the cheeks, lips, and gums. Dr. David C. Spokane and Dr. Melissa Karski are committed to providing their patients the highest standard of care at all six locations in New Castle, Chippewa, Ellwood City, Center Township, Ambridge, Cranberry Township, and surrounding areas. Our team is committed to guiding you or your child through each stage of treatment.

Smiling teenage boy with braces giving thumbs up — Traditional braces remain a trusted orthodontic solution for several types of misalignment.

How Do Braces Work?

Braces are made up of metal wires, brackets, and rubber bands, also known as elastics. The brackets are bonded to the surface of each tooth and connected by a thin archwire. During periodic appointments, the wires will be tightened and exert a gentle, consistent pressure on your teeth. This process gradually shifts the teeth into proper alignment. The rubber bands will alter the position of your upper and lower jaws to realign your bite. We might combine braces with the Forsus™ Fatigue Resistant Device or other techniques to expedite treatment or achieve more favorable results.

The timeline of your treatment will depend upon the extent of misalignment, as well as your previous orthodontic history. Children who corrected skeletal and functional concerns early on typically do not require braces for more than nine to 12 months. Patients who have never received orthodontic care can expect treatment to last up to 18 months. For your convenience, we can often begin treatment immediately by placing upper braces on the same day as your consultation.

Treatable Cases

Using traditional metal braces, we can address virtually any form of malocclusion, no matter how simple or complex. During your consultation, Dr. Spokane or Dr. Karski can thoroughly evaluate your teeth and jaws to determine the right solution for you. Braces may be recommended to address:

An underbite
A deep bite
Overcrowding
An open bite
Severe spacing
A cross bite
Impacted teeth
Missing teeth

Braces are also advisable for younger patients who are not considered responsible enough to wear Invisalign® trays.

How to Care for Your Braces

To ensure the longevity of your braces, you should avoid eating very hard or crunchy foods, including apples, carrots, and corn on the cob. You should also refrain from eating small items that can become lodged between the brackets, such as nuts, seeds, and popcorn. To make sure the brackets remain in place, you should not eat extremely sticky foods or candy.

During treatment, it is important to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth to avoid staining and decay. We may recommend a special brush or another device, which will help you clean those hard-to-reach areas beneath the wires and around the brackets.

High-Quality Materials

In addition to minimizing irritation and discomfort, smaller brackets allow patients to attend fewer tightening appointments.

For your comfort, we use smaller brackets than some other orthodontic practices. In addition to minimizing irritation and discomfort, smaller brackets allow for a larger inter-bracket distance. As a result, we can use nickel titanium archwires instead of traditional steel archwires. These wires are activated by heat and cold, allowing for a more gentle and consistent force to be exerted on the teeth. These brackets also move the teeth more efficiently. While steel wires must be tightened every three to four weeks, nickel titanium wires only require visits to our office every eight to 10 weeks.

Our Unique Approach

When you entrust your care or your child's care to our practice, you can feel confident that we will handle every aspect with the utmost consideration. We will always take the time to learn about your unique goals and objectives and address your concerns. We believe patient education is crucial to a successful outcome, which is why we incorporate educational videos to prepare children for their treatment process. These videos demonstrate how we apply braces, care for braces once they are in place, how to maintain proper oral hygiene during treatment, and how we remove the braces to name just a few.

Many patients watch the video below on how we apply braces before they come to their first visit. This video details every step of the process so you know exactly what to expect.