TRADITIONAL BRACES

Building Smiles For Life

BRACES IN VIRGINIA BEACH

Love your Smile

If you are getting traditional braces, you are on your way to a beautiful new smile! Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they function. It will also help improve the long-term health of your teeth, gums and jaw joints by balancing the biting pressure over all your teeth.

Orthodontic treatment is one of the fastest changing fields in modern dentistry today. Advancements in materials have made traditional metal braces more comfortable than ever before. The brackets are made out of small, low-profile stainless steel with smoothed edges and offer patients a more comfortable orthodontic experience.

teen with braces surfing Maddux Orthodontics

ARE BRACES RIGHT FOR ME?

Using state-of-the-art technology with a thorough understanding of the movement and growth of the teeth and jaws, we’re able to successfully treat many dental issues, such as:

Crowded teeth is when there is not enough space in the mouth for teeth to grow in straight, resulting in teeth that overlap each other

Gaps, or diastema, is usually most noticeable in the front upper teeth

ommonly known as “buck teeth,” protruding teeth can be caused by thumbsucking, or from overcrowding teeth in childhood

an overbite is when your upper jaw overlaps your lower jaw

an underbite is when your lower jaw protrudes past your upper jaw

crossbite is when the teeth are misaligned laterally, resulting in the teeth overlapping each other

TYPES OF BRACES

Metal Braces

Metal braces have come a long way in recent years. Popular with all ages, they are an effective way to align and straighten your teeth. Maddux Orthodontics proudly offers traditional metal braces featuring a low-profile bracket and preshaped archwires, which create a more comfortable patient experience. You can show off your style by customizing your traditional braces with a wide range of colorful elastics, which will be changed at each orthodontic visit.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are made of tooth-colored material and are much less noticeable, allowing you to get your best possible smile, without drawing attention to your treatment. Durable and comfortable, they are a discreet way to correct and align your teeth. You can even add a fun pop of color for teens who want to stand out from the crowd.

WHY DO I NEED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

Orthodontic treatment is about so much more than straight, pretty teeth, although that is a great bonus! Teeth that have been properly aligned have an impact on the future of your dental health. Straight teeth are healthy teeth and this creates lifelong benefits.

If your teeth are crooked, then chances are high that you will have excessive pressure and wear on certain teeth, which can break down enamel and cause decay or even cause teeth to chip or break. Straight teeth fit together in a harmonious balance that exerts equal pressure throughout the chewing surface and this is how teeth stay healthy for a lifetime. Orthodontic treatment will create an ideal bite, which in turn allows your jaw to function properly during chewing and biting.

Orthodontic treatment enhances a person’s appearance. It also increases self confidence in patients as they move from childhood into adulthood. Maddux Orthodontics of Virginia Beach, VA is pleased to offer braces to help patients achieve an ideal, healthy and functional bite.

THE DAY YOU GET YOUR BRACES

When you first get braces, Dr. Maddux and his team will explain all of the parts of the braces and how they work together to give you a beautiful, healthy smile. Typically, traditional braces have five main components. Depending on your specific orthodontic requirements, you may have the following components placed during treatment:

Temporary, small rubber bands that are used between the molars, or back teeth to make space for the bands

Brackets are the small metal squares that are attached to the front and side of the teeth. They are usually made of stainless steel and are bonded directly to the enamel with a special adhesive. Brackets will provide a track for your archwire 

The archwire is the wire that connects all of the brackets and bands together. It is responsible for the actual alignment of the teeth. The archwire comes in different sizes and strengths. Your orthodontist is an expert at bending the archwire causing your teeth to move and align to their optimum positions. Archwires are changed with each appointment

The thin metal rings that fit around the molars in the back of your mouth are called bands. They provide an attachment for the archwire and secure it so your teeth are under the correct amount of pressure

Rubber bands or elastics worn during braces are tiny elastic bands that fit around your brackets which hold the archwire in the slot on the bracket. They come in a variety of colors you can choose from and they will always be part of your braces. Elastics are changed during each of your appointments.

At Maddux Orthodontics located in Virginia Beach, VA, we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality care to children and adults using metal and ceramic braces. After your complimentary smile consultation, Dr. Maddux will be able to discuss which treatment would be right for you, based on your unique needs and specific smile goals.

HELPUL TIPS FOR YOUR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

WHAT FOODS CAN I EAT?

It is possible to eat any food you want with traditional braces; however, Maddux Orthodontics recommends avoiding some foods that tend to be more difficult to chew to avoid damaging your appliance. Some foods to eat less or even avoid during treatment include:

  • Hard and crunchy foods (i.e. Jolly Ranchers, hard pretzels, crunchy chips)
  • Sticky foods (i.e taffy, Skittles, caramel)
  • Popcorn
  • Crusty breads
  • Hard taco shells
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Gum

Use caution when eating the following foods:

  • Whole fruits (it’s best to cut them into bite sized pieces first)
  • Corn on the cob (might want to take it off the cob)
  • Meat on the bone (like chicken wings)
  • Crispy hard cookies

CLEANING TIPS FOR YOUR BRACES

An important part of orthodontic treatment is good oral hygiene routines performed at home to keep your teeth and braces in tip top shape. You should brush at least twice a day and floss every day. Maddux Orthodontics suggests brushing after each meal if possible to remove any remaining food particles that might be stuck in your brackets. If you do not have the time or tools to brush at school or outside of the home, it is helpful to rinse your mouth with water for about 30 seconds to help dislodge any residual food debris. If food or sugars sit too long on the braces, it causes an increase in plaque buildup.

Flossing is an equally important hygiene tool and we understand it can be difficult to do with braces. You can try a floss threader to guide the floss underneath the archwire and floss between teeth. Interdental cleaners have a small thin brush that can be used to clean between the teeth. Finally, using a waterpik or an air flosser is also a good way to remove any food debris that may still be sticking around after brushing. Brushing and flossing on the daily will help you achieve a healthy smile and you will get the best end results possible.

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Edwin Drive

351 Edwin Drive, Suite 104
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

First Colonial **WE’VE MOVED – NEW LOCATION!**

933 First Colonial Road, Suite 204
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

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Monday: 9am – 5:30pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 7am – 4pm
Wednesday: 9am – 5pm

CALL OR TEXT US 757-499-3530