Orthodontic Treatment in St. Charles, IL
Prose Orthodontics, located in St. Charles, Illinois specializes in optimizing patient smiles. Dr. Prose and his team pride themselves in providing each patient a customized experience. Our office is fully equipped with state of the art technology and our team is trained on the latest techniques.
What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that corrects irregularities in the teeth and jaws, especially regarding alignment and how your teeth fit together. Properly aligned teeth are vital for great oral health, and if orthodontic issues are ignored, you are more at risk for issues like cavities and enamel erosion.
Some of the benefits of orthodontic treatment at any age include:
- A beautiful, confident smile
- Reduced risk of oral health issues like gum disease and cavities
- Reduced risk of jaw pain or issues like TMJ
- Improved ability to chew and eat food
- Improved ability to speak and enunciate clearly
- Prevention of future orthodontic and dental complications
How Do Orthodontics Work?
Orthodontic care involves the treatment of teeth and jaw alignment issues to enhance both aesthetic appeal and the function of your bite. The primary tools used in orthodontic treatment are braces and clear aligners. Braces consist of brackets bonded to teeth and connected by wires that gently guide teeth into proper positions over time. Clear aligners are custom-made plastic trays that gradually shift teeth into alignment.
Both methods work by applying controlled forces that encourage teeth to move within the bone. As teeth respond to these pressures, new bone forms around them, stabilizing their new positions. The end result is a well-aligned bite that not only improves the appearance of your smile but also promotes better oral health and function.
There are two main stages of orthodontics: active treatment and retention treatment. Active treatment involves tooth movement with devices like braces or aligners, while retention treatment involves wearing retainers to keep the corrected placement from shifting back.
Types of Orthodontic Treatment & Appliances in St. Charles, IL
There are several types of orthodontic treatments available to patients of all ages, and which one is right for you depends on the severity of your case and your smile goals. Dr. Prose and Dr. Grzetic will work with you to create the best plan to achieve your new smile.
At Prose Orthodontics, we offer Damon System Braces to our patients, instead of the clunky traditional metal braces of yesterday. The Damon System is different due to its self-ligating, tie-less braces that don’t require as many adjustments and are gentle on the teeth and jaw. High-technology, memory shape wires quickly move teeth and enhance your smile.
Patients typically experience a shorter treatment time with fewer appointments than traditional braces. There are two types of Damon System Braces: Damon Clear Brackets and Damon Ultima Braces.
Damon Clear Brackets
Damon Clear uses a self-ligating bracket that is transparent, making your braces treatment virtually invisible! Damon Clear combines the look and comfort image-conscious patients demand with strength and functionality. The brackets are made of a material that’s resistant to staining from coffee, red wine, and other typical food and drinks. They are virtually invisible and very comfortable.
Damon Ultima Braces
Damon Ultima Braces all the all-metal, self-ligating braces made of high-grade stainless steel, making them strong and extremely durable. The brackets also have smoother, rounded corners to help provide even greater comfort for the patient. Damon Ultima Braces feature removable positioning gauges to help ensure your orthodontist places the brackets in the perfect position to give you a great smile.
The earlier you get ahead of a potential orthodontic problem, the better. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends young children have their first orthodontic appointment by the time they turn 7, when enough permanent teeth have come in to indicate any future issues. Early orthodontic treatment, also called interceptive care, can correct major problems like crossbites, underbites, large gaps, and more.
The retention phase of orthodontic treatment is vital to maintaining your beautiful new smile for a lifetime. Retainers keep your teeth in place and help your jaw, gums, and muscles adapt to the new positioning. There are two kinds of retainers: removable and permanent.
Removable retainers are made of a plastic-like material that is fitted closely to your teeth. They are meant to be worn at night while sleeping, and they should be kept clean and dry. If you don’t wear your retainers for a long period of time, they may cause discomfort as the teeth have started to shift again, and you may need to get a new set made for you.
Permanent retainers, also called fixed or bonded retainers, are made of a metal wire that’s bonded to the back of your teeth to help keep them in place. Sometimes, patients use a permanent retainer on their bottom teeth and a removable retainer on their top teeth.
Should You Seek Orthodontic Treatment?
Every smile is different, and not everyone needs orthodontic treatment during their lifetime. If you have any of the below issues, it’s possible you may require treatment from skilled orthodontists:
Some of the benefits of orthodontic treatment at any age include:
- Overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Excessive spacing or gapping between teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Misaligned jaw
- Teeth that don’t meet correctly or at all
- Speech or breathing issues that aren’t otherwise explained
Get Expert Orthodontic Treatment in St. Charles, IL with Prose Orthodontics
No matter which kind of treatment you need based on your symptoms and goals, our orthodontic care team here at Prose Orthodontics will create the best plan for you. We are proud to serve St. Charles, IL, and the greater Fox Valley area and create the best smiles in the state!
No matter which kind of treatment you need based on your symptoms and goals, our orthodontic care team here at Prose Orthodontics will create the best plan for you. We are proud to serve St. Charles, IL, and the greater Fox Valley area and create the best smiles in the state!
Orthodontic Treatment FAQ
To choose the best orthodontist for you, consider the qualifications of the orthodontist, the convenience of their office and the office’s environment, their reputation, and the treatments offered at their office.
Dr. Prose and Dr. Grzetic are approachable, easy to talk to, and have a sense of humor that makes having braces fun! They are committed to providing modern, advanced technologies for their patients and creating a safe, personal office environment. The office provides Damon Braces, Spark Clear Aligners, and Invisalign Clear Aligners, among many other treatment options. The doctors and staff treat patients like family and create connections with everyone. Our office has a perfect 5-star rating on Google and we strive to provide a 5-star experience for each and every patient.
An orthodontist treats teeth and jaw irregularities in patients of all ages, providing treatment like braces or aligners, depending on individual needs and desires. Orthodontists all have one main goal: to improve a patient’s smile and bite to solve underlying issues and boost self-confidence.
A dentist is highly skilled and specializes in general dental care and oral health. Dentists typically handle 99% of your dental health, like oral hygiene, gum disease prevention, cavities, and so on. An orthodontist doesn’t handle these oral health concerns; they focus solely on orthodontic concerns like smile appearance, bite alignment, teeth alignment, and so on. Orthodontists learn general dental care in school and then spend further years learning about orthodontics-specific issues.
Absolutely. Seeing an orthodontist for treatment does not replace the bi-annual cleanings and checkups you get done at the dentist. Orthodontists focus on the alignment and movement of your teeth, while dentists will supplement this by focusing on your overall dental health.
Orthodontists are required to spend more time in dental and orthodontic postgraduate schools and a residency program before officially taking patients. They have specific knowledge about teeth and jaw health that a dentist does not have because of their specialized training.