Braces In Mobile, AL For Kids, Teens & Adults

Types Of Braces

What Is The Damon System?

Damon System braces have patented self-ligating braces technology that aligns teeth with less pressure than traditional braces. Traditional braces use a system of metal brackets, wires, and elastic ties to move teeth. Instead of using hard-to-clean elastics, Damon brackets open like a door to keep the archwire in place.

Damon Braces provide a beautiful, natural smile with fewer appointments and more comfortable treatment. Plus, Damon braces come in metal and clear versions, so you can get braces that fit your lifestyle. Here are some of the perks of Damon System:

• Fewer appointments
• Comfortable to wear
• Shorter overall treatment time
• Smaller bracket design is more discreet than traditional braces
• Easy to clean

Types Of Damon System Braces

With all of the modern options available for orthodontic treatment, it’s important that you have a treatment plan that suits your smile and your lifestyle! Damon System Braces come in both metal and clear versions, so you can get the smile you want with less hassle. Both types of Damon Braces are less noticeable, giving you the confidence to smile big during your treatment.

Damon Metal Braces

Damon Metal Braces are a versatile treatment option that can fix many types of bite misalignments. These self-ligating braces don’t use elastic ties. Instead, the bracket functions like a door, opening and closing to keep the archwire in place. Without these noticeable elastic ties, Damon Metal Braces are an affordable and low-key treatment option for a wide variety of alignment needs.

Damon Clear Braces

Damon Clear Braces are made of high-quality ceramic that camouflages within your mouth. Patients with clear braces experience the same perks of a self-ligating system but with less visible brackets.

These practically invisible braces do not require elastic ties and are resistant to staining. Plus, clear braces wearers enjoy fewer in-office appointments and more overall freedom.

Are Damon System Braces Right For Me?

Damon System Braces can correct a wide variety of orthodontic conditions, like overbites, underbites, crowded or crooked teeth, and more. Everyone is an ideal candidate for orthodontic treatment, and you deserve a treatment plan that’s as unique as you are.

That being said, braces treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Without first assessing your smile, it’s difficult to know whether Damon System Braces are right for you. Request a free consultation with us so we can make a customized treatment plan specifically for your needs.

LightForce Braces

One Size Fits One™

LightForce offers treatment that’s as unique as a fingerprint. We’re proud to offer this cutting-edge solution that unites modern 3D-printing technology with fully digital treatment planning to provide you with a great experience and results. LightForce crafts custom-made braces that are built to precisely match the unique shape and orientation of your teeth, meaning that the overall treatment time is expedited resulting in fewer office visits being required.

With traditional braces, the brackets tend to be mass-produced and require our orthodontists to place the brackets on each individual tooth, one at a time. This method can be quite meticulous and time-consuming for both doctor and patient! However, with LightForce, we use indirect bonding, which means the entire set of brackets is placed on a model of your smile in the exact position our orthodontists prescribe. Once the brackets are fitted, they are bonded directly to your teeth, and with this technique, the brackets can often be placed in less than an hour!

The Total Cost Of Braces

It’s never been easier to get the smile you’ve always wanted. Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics specializes in providing treatment that affords more freedom with better results. Plus, with advanced treatment options, it’s easy to find a solution that matches your lifestyle.

Braces are not a one-size-fits-all solution. During your free consultation, we will use diagnostic technology — like X-rays and photos — to get a sense of your needs. Then we’ll create a comprehensive breakdown of goals for your treatment.

Your customized treatment will match your lifestyle and look. Depending on your needs, we will explain the pros and cons of Damon Braces, Damon Clear Ceramic Braces, clear aligners, or other treatment modalities. You will be able to talk about each treatment option with either Drs. Harvey or Thomas.

At Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics, we don’t believe in recommending a treatment option that doesn’t make sense for you. It can be challenging to ballpark a figure for braces treatment since each varies. At your initial consultation, our team will review the full cost of your treatment and any other payment information.

Only a skilled specialist in orthodontics can help you achieve great results with braces. Learn more about the cost of braces during a free consultation.

Braces For Kids

What Age Should My Child See An Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends you bring your child in for an orthodontic consultation as soon as seven years of age. Most children will have begun to develop their adult teeth at this age, making it easier for our orthodontists to see present and future orthodontic issues. It’s not guaranteed that your child will need to begin treatment at this age, but our orthodontists will be able to evaluate their teeth and plan for future treatment. Plus, if your child does need treatment, the fact that the jaw and teeth are still developing at this age will make treatment more effective. If your child is of age and has not yet seen an orthodontist, request a free consultation with Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics today. We offer braces for kids in Mobile, Brewton, and Saraland, AL.

Two-Phase Treatment

Early intervention, or two-phase treatment, is a treatment plan for kids who do need treatment at an early age. This process consists of two phases and a resting period in between. Two-phase treatment is encouraged for children who have orthodontic issues that, if left untreated, would require orthodontic surgery later in life. Plus, if your child has poor habits such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing, this can help to break those habits.

It’s important to understand that this treatment is not just for improving the aesthetics of your child’s teeth. It also helps to ensure overall oral health and the ability to care for the teeth properly.

Phase 1

Phase 1 takes place when the child still has some baby teeth, usually between six and nine years old. During this phase, the main focus is on making room for adult teeth that are growing, guiding jaw development, and aligning the teeth using an appliance such as braces or some form of a removable appliance.

Resting

The resting phase usually lasts a couple of years, long enough for the rest of the adult teeth to develop. During this time, our orthodontists will watch the growth of the adult teeth and see how the child’s mouth develops.

Phase 2

Phase 2 focuses on resolving any issues left after the first phase. Because the first phase addresses the growth and development of the teeth and jaw before all of the adult teeth have come in, there may be some remaining alignment and spacing issues after all of the remaining teeth have come in. In this case, our orthodontists will use braces of a similar appliance to correct any remaining issues.

If your child has signs of a severe orthodontic issue, request a free consultation today with one of our orthodontists, Dr. Harvey, Dr. Thomas, or Dr. Kimi. Our team proudly provides two-phase treatment in Mobile, Brewton, and Saraland, AL.

Braces For Teens

The team at Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics wants to help your teen enjoy the reward of a beautiful, lasting smile. All of our patients enjoy personalized care from board-certified orthodontists. No matter the level or type of braces treatment your teen needs, we are ready to provide a relaxing and premium treatment experience!

Are Braces Right For My Teen?

One of the most frequent concerns parents have about starting treatment is how much the braces will interrupt their life. Many of these parents remember the unsightly and uncomfortable braces from their childhood and are apprehensive about adding stress to their teen’s life.

Parents are often surprised to learn that modern innovations have changed the alignment experience. Nowadays, teens can enjoy a convenient and more comfortable treatment with low-profile and stylish braces. Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics offers many options for teens, including Invisalign Teen.

Everyone has unique needs, and no two people have the same issues. If you are concerned about your teen, then request a free consultation now. During their initial consultation, we will look at your teen’s needs and determine their best treatment option.

Benefits Of Braces For Teens

It’s practically a no-brainer to start transforming your child’s smile during adolescence. There are many reasons why the teenage years are ideal for starting treatment. Because your teen is growing every day, it’s easy to get head-turning results for their smile.

Correcting crooked and crowded teeth can help offset the damage from future issues like tooth decay or gum disease. Smiles with jagged edges and uneven surfaces are more challenging to clean. Uneven teeth cause food particles and plaque to become trapped. Trapped food particles then cause tooth decay to advance quicker.

In the past 30 years, braces for teens have undergone an enormous change. We pride ourselves in helping your teen avoid needing headgear, expanders, or permanent teeth extractions. While sometimes these are necessary, we do everything possible to avoid needing these levels of intervention.

Braces For Adults

Adult Orthodontics In The Mobile, Saraland, & Brewton Areas

It’s never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted, and many of our patients are adults who are looking to improve their smile. However, some adults are apprehensive about starting treatment because they believe that braces will interrupt their busy lifestyle. These adults are usually hesitant because they remember the unsightly and awkward braces from their youth.

However, orthodontic treatment has undergone significant shifts since their childhood. Modern breakthroughs offer experiences that are gentle, fashionable, and more efficient than ever before!

Getting a natural and confident smile no longer relies on the outdated technology of the past. Advanced options like Damon Braces, Damon Clear Ceramic Braces, and LightForce custom brackets offer patients unprecedented results and freedom.

What Are The Benefits Of Getting Braces As An Adult?

Investing in your smile is always a smart decision. Our patients often tell us that getting a full and natural smile boosted their confidence and helped them gain a fresh outlook on life. But there are even more reasons to improve your alignment.

When your teeth are crooked, gapped, or crowded, they are more at risk of developing gum disease or tooth decay. This is because food particles and other debris are more likely to become stuck on uneven surfaces. These trapped particles eventually turn into plaque, which can cause more harm to your teeth.

Additionally, brushing and flossing are less effective when your teeth do not follow a pattern. Eliminating asymmetrical areas helps you prevent future long-term and costly complications.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Adult Braces?

We have successfully helped many adults in the Mobile area elevate their smiles. Getting results as an adult is a little different than getting results as a teenager. As you consider treatment, keep these things in mind:

• Every person has a different treatment time
• Getting great results depends on maintaining a regular schedule of dental cleanings with your preferred dentist or periodontist
• Some people will need higher levels of intervention before treatment
• Depending on your treatment, you may need to avoid certain foods

At Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics, we understand how much our patients depend on their smile. We promise to prioritize your needs and provide you with the utmost level of service.

Life With Braces

Living life with braces is now much easier than in years past. Drs. Harvey and Thomas have invested in the latest technology and techniques to get great results faster and more comfortably than ever before.

The first few days of life with braces and after wire change appointments might cause some general tenderness of your teeth and mouth. Your teeth might even feel a little loose (after all – they’re on the move).

One of the great things about the Damon System is that the brackets and wires don’t need to be “tightened”, and they are designed to move your teeth gradually into their new positions. You may want to take some form of pain reliever (what you would normally take for a headache) during this time, but the tenderness usually subsides within a few days.

Brushing & Flossing

With orthodontic appliances, including braces, brushing and flossing are slightly different. On the day your appliances are placed we will spend a considerable amount of time teaching you how to brush and floss. Please ask questions about anything you don’t understand!

One of the benefits of Damon Braces is that they do not require elastic rings to hold the wires in the brackets, but instead use “doors” that snap closed over the wire. Studies have shown that this kind of bracket design is easier to clean.

How To Clean Your Braces

Cleaning teeth with braces requires adding a few more steps to your hygiene routine. The good news is that following better oral hygiene habits while wearing braces will set you up for success when they come off!

While wearing braces, you will need to clean your teeth after every meal. That’s because with braces, there are more nooks and crannies for food particles to get stuck in. When left unchecked, these food particles can cause plaque buildup that eventually leads to costly dental issues.

It’s easy to learn how to brush your teeth with braces on. Start by following these simple steps:

1. First, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to release any food particles that have accumulated in your teeth and braces.
2. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush at a 45° angle around the brackets and wires. Make sure that you are brushing your teeth from top to bottom.
3. With gentle, circular movements, brush around the gum line. Don’t cut corners during this process – you want to make sure you get into all the hard-to-reach spots!
4. Time to floss! Thread the floss under the wire, and gently move the floss up and down between the teeth.
5. Rinse your mouth out with mouthwash or water, and double-check that you got the tough-to-reach areas. Now you’re done!

Eating With Braces

You’ve probably heard from friends and family members who have experienced life with braces that you won’t be able to eat some of your favorite foods while you’re in treatment. That’s true – if your favorite food is hard candy.

The truth is – you can eat most foods as long as you avoid things that would cause you to break a bracket, bend a wire or get caught up in the braces where you are unable to remove it.

Here’s a simple, helpful guide to help you avoid any issues: In general, foods that are hard, sticky or chewy can be very damaging to orthodontic appliances. If your appliances are frequently broken, your treatment time may be extended.

Foods To Avoid With Braces

• Chewy Foods (Bagels, Licorice)
• Crunchy Foods (Popcorn, Chips, Ice)
• Sticky Foods (Caramel Candies, Chewing Gum)
• Hard Foods (Nuts, Hard Candies)
• Foods You Have to Bite Into (Corn on the Cob, Apples, Carrots – Cut Them Into Small Pieces)bor