Braces: An Overview

We all want a perfect smile with teeth that are properly aligned, but for many people, this is not always something that happens naturally. Few people make it through their childhood and early adulthood without any major problems, but most will look for ways to straighten their teeth and make their smiles better. Hodnett Orthodontics offers different options for braces so that you can get that perfect smile and choose the one that works best for you.

Patients of all ages can be eligible for braces, and although it is most common for children and teenagers to get braces, more and more adults are getting them as well. Thanks to improvements in orthodontic technology, there are now more ways to get treatment than ever before. When you work with our experienced team at Hodnett Orthodontics, Dr. Hodnett can match you with the right type of braces for your lifestyle and budget.

We know that every patient is different and has different needs and goals for their smile. Dr. Hodnett works with you to ensure you get the best treatment for the smile you’ve always wanted. Our amazing team knows how to work with patients of all ages and can make your orthodontic experience seamless and comfortable.

Types Of Braces

If you’ve decided to get braces, you should know that there are a few main types to choose from, depending on your needs. Braces help to address the full range of orthodontic concerns, including:

• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Gaps in teeth
• Unevenly spaced or overcrowded teeth

At Hodnett Orthodontics, our goal is to best serve our patients with custom treatment plans designed to fit seamlessly with your lifestyle. We offer a few different options for braces in Charlotte, NC.

Metal Braces

Traditional braces are made of metal (the type that most people are familiar with). Here, steel brackets and wires are put on the teeth to fix orthodontic concerns such as spacing, overcrowding, and under and overbites.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces, a newer alternative made from ceramic instead of metal, are an alternative to metal braces. The primary advantage of this is that they blend in with the natural color of your teeth, making them nearly invisible in many situations.

Self-Ligating Brackets

Self-ligating brackets are a type of braces that hold the wire in place with a special clip rather than elastic bands. The clip is designed to grip the wire securely while permitting it to slide as needed in order to keep consistent pressure on your teeth. The “sliding door” technology allows for more efficient movement during treatment and means that adjustment appointments are shorter and less frequent. The sleek design also reduces friction and makes wearing self-ligating braces more comfortable. At Hodnett Orthodontics, we offer two variations of self-ligating braces:

• SmartClip™ Self-Ligating Braces eliminate the need for rubber bands. Instead, an innovative clip system does the trick. SmartClip will offer a comfortable fit and is easier to clean. That is a significant change for the better when it comes to your smile.
• Clarity™ SL Self-Ligating Braces provide all of the benefits of self-ligating braces (like SmartClip) but with the added advantage of being made from translucent ceramic. These braces blend into the natural color of your teeth and offer the other benefits of self-ligating braces.