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May 11, 2023

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Before and After Braces: Transforming Smiles

Embarking on the journey towards a healthier, straighter smile with braces is a significant milestone. It's a transformational process that not only alters the aesthetics of your smile but also boosts your confidence and enhances oral health.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the before and after braces journey, showcasing the transformative power of orthodontic treatment.

Before Braces: Identifying the Need

The first step in any orthodontic journey begins with recognizing the need for intervention. This could be due to various dental issues such as overcrowding, gaps, misalignment, or bite problems. Visiting an orthodontist for an initial consultation is crucial to understand the complexity of your case and determine the right treatment plan. This process includes a thorough examination, X-rays, and sometimes a 3D scan of your teeth.

Choosing the Right Braces

Once it’s determined that braces are needed, the next step is selecting the right braces that fit your lifestyle and dental needs. You'll consider options like traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, or high-tech solutions like Invisalign. Remember, each type of treatment has its advantages and specific care instructions, so it's important to discuss these factors with your orthodontist.

The Journey with Braces

The journey with braces involves routine adjustments and maintenance, ranging from a few months to a couple of years, depending on the case's complexity. During this period, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene and adhere to dietary guidelines to avoid potential issues such as staining or damage to the braces. Regular visits to the orthodontist for adjustments are also a critical part of ensuring your teeth are moving in the right direction.

After Braces: The Big Reveal

The 'after braces' phase is the moment everyone eagerly awaits. It's when the braces come off, and you see your new, straight smile for the first time! But the journey doesn't end here. Retainers are typically required post-braces to maintain the new position of your teeth. It's also the time to celebrate and flaunt your transformed smile!

Before and After: The Transformation

The transformation from before to after braces is more than just physical. Yes, you'll enjoy a straighter, more aligned smile. But beyond that, braces can help improve oral health by making it easier to clean your teeth, potentially reducing the risk of decay and gum disease. Not to mention the significant boost in confidence from having a smile you're proud to show off.

The before and after braces journey is transformative from an aesthetic and health perspective. It requires patience, commitment, and a bit of adjustment, but the results are well worth it. At docbraces, we are committed to guiding you through each stage of this journey, ensuring a comfortable and rewarding experience.

Don't forget to use our Before and After Braces gallery to explore real-life transformations and understand what braces can achieve. Remember, every smile tells a story – start your transformation story with us today.

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How Long Will It Take to Get My Braces?

Round Lake, IL – Millions of people of all ages wear braces to improve the look and health of their smiles. If you are one of the many getting ready to get braces, you probably have some questions, like what you should expect on the day the braces are put on. Dr. Michael Stosich walks potential patients through what to expect when getting braces.

“We’re often asked how long it will take to put the braces on ,” says Dr. Stosich. “ My answer is about as long as it takes to watch a good movie. You should typically plan on your appointment taking about two hours . Then, you’re free to go about your daily life.”

So, what exactly happens at this appointment?

1. cleaning and drying.

Your teeth are cleaned and dried thoroughly so the brackets will adhere properly.

2. Securing the brackets

Once dried, the bonding material is applied, and the brackets are attached to each tooth. This bonding material is completely harmless, but it may have an unpleasant taste. A tiny bit of the glue goes on each tooth, and a special blue light will help the glue set.

3. Attaching the archwire

Once everything else is in place, the orthodontist will attach the archwire to the brackets. The archwire is held onto each bracket by a tiny rubber band, known as a ligature. Make your orthodontic experience unique by customizing rubber bands to your favorite colors. Once securely in place, the archwire is snipped to ensure it doesn’t poke into the back of your mouth.

Some orthodontists may use bands around the back molars, however, Dr. Stosich does not. Dr. Stosich uses only brackets and archwires, which allows for more precision and increased comfort for the patient.

“This is the process for traditional metal braces,” says Dr. Stosich. “If you choose an option such as lingual braces , your appointment may be a bit longer. Lingual braces are placed on the tongue side of the teeth and can take longer to place.”

If you’ve opted for a clear aligner system, your appointment will be much shorter. To create the aligners , you’ll have impressions and digital images taken. Once ready, you’ll visit your orthodontist to get your aligners and have any adjustments made.

Post-Procedure Care and Adjustments

The experience of having your braces placed should not be painful. However, you will have some tenderness after the appointment and in the days immediately following. You may have a slight headache or jaw discomfort. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Stick to a soft food diet for the first few days.

Getting used to the brackets and wires in your mouth will take a few days. Use orthodontic wax over any areas that cause discomfort. Rinsing with warm salt water can relieve discomfort, or use Anbesol or Orajel.

Adjusting to Life with Braces

“There is a learning curve to adjusting to life with braces,” says Dr. Stosich. “ But, if you follow our guidelines you’ll be back to normal in no time . And if you ever have any questions or concerns, we’re always here for you.”

Getting your braces on is a big day. It’s the start of your journey to a healthier, straighter smile. If you’re ready to get started, call Dr. Stosich and his team at Stosich Consulting today, 847-548-2400 (Grayslake office) or 224-408-2200 (Kenilworth office).

Dr. Michael Stosich is a board-certified orthodontist and the director of orthodontics at the University of Chicago Medicine. He is known for his extensive experience in leading clinical enterprises, publishing, and lecturing both in the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Stosich has expertise in starting, growing, and maintaining successful orthodontic practices, including those in pediatric dentistry, general dentistry, and multi-specialty clinics. He serves on the editorial board of several publications and has been involved in innovating patient care and education, focusing on the future of dental and orthodontic healthcare.

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Amelia in Hull

Life on the edge of the humber and beyond, my braces journey.

Hey guys! I have literally had this post planned since Christmas but had to wait until further developments had happened. So my big announcement is that after 2 years, I’ve finally got my braces off! I’m so excited to finally have straight teeth because it makes me feel even more confident in my smile than I did before. I thought I would compose a post where I talk a bit about my experience of braces and what it’s actually like to have them on and get them off. Of course this is all my own experience and opinions and if you have any differences in your own personal experience I would love to hear all about it in the comments!

I first got my braces fitted on Friday 6th July 2018 which seems like a lifetime ago now. I had a few appointments before that to get some x rays done, do some moulds, take some photos of my teeth and prepare my teeth for the braces to go on. I would actually say that the worst part of all that was having the moulds done because you could only breathe out of your nose and it was really uncomfortable. I also had to have a few teeth removed so the remaining teeth could move around freely in my mouth (but we don’t talk about that because it felt like literal torture). After I’d completed all that, I finally got to have the braces on.

My teeth definitely needed the braces. Many of them were in awkward positions, leaving gaps in my mouth and I had a horrible one that had grown through my gum instead of below my gum like it should’ve. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes. They had to attach the little metal squares onto my teeth, hook wire through it and seal the wire through the squares with different coloured elastics. The elastics that I chose at my first appointment were a gorgeous turquoise blue and they were by far my favourite elastic colour that I ever had on my teeth. My teeth felt really weird and brittle like they could snap right off and I couldn’t get used to the sensation of the braces inside my mouth but I was glad to finally have them on.

What I wasn’t glad about was the pain that followed. I’d spent most of my week before getting braces on asking my friends who’d already got them about the pain and all of them said it really hurt to get them on. Unfortunately, they weren’t being dramatic. I was in agony for most of the day and no amount of painkillers could stop it. It was the worst pain I’d ever experienced next to cracking my head open and period cramps but maybe that’s because I’ve never experienced any really bad pain. My best friend Izzy got her braces on just before mine came off and she barely experienced any pain but maybe that’s because she’s experienced much worse pain than that and has a high pain threshold as a result.

I couldn’t eat as well and I ended up eating soft foods like soup, ice cream and yoghurt for the next week. Something that I remember vividly is going to Mcdonald’s with my friend Lydia the day after and taking ages to eat some fries and chicken selects. I had tear the food into small pieces to eat in and even then it still hurt to eat. My teeth felt so tight and fragile at this point.

Over time, the pain eased and I got used to the braces being in my mouth. The only way it really affected my life was the fact that I had to brush my teeth after every meal and it took me a lot longer to brush my teeth properly around the braces. Now, after brushing them like this for 2 years, it feels strange to go back to brushing them using the same technique pre-2018. The only time the braces really bothered me was at random times in the day when they’d ache (which I assume was my teeth moving into position) and every 2 months after I got them tightened. At a brace tightening appointment, all they did was insert a thicker wire and pull it tight to put more pressure on the teeth to move into the correct position. It hurt a lot more in the beginning when my teeth had a lot more moving to do but towards the end I didn’t even feel anything. The pain however was never as bad as when I first got them on.

It was incredible to watch my teeth move over the course of the two years. I went from having teeth that were all over the place to having these beautiful straight teeth. I can’t thank the Beverley Orthodontic Centre enough for what they did for me and I’ll always be very grateful. I was originally going to have my braces off on 6th April but due to the pandemic the orthodontist was shut at that time and only recently reopened. So instead I got them off on 13th August and I was so thrilled about it. It only took about 20 minutes as they had to remove the actual brace with the elastics, squares and wire and then they cleaned my teeth with this metal toothbrush. After that, I got the moulds done for my retainer (which was like the worst kind of deja vu) and had some photos taken of my teeth. I left with the promise that the retainer would be sent to me by post and would arrive soon.

It was so cool to see my friend’s and family’s reaction to me losing my braces. Some of them caught on instantly but some of them took some time to notice. But overall everyone was so happy that my teeth looked so good and I’d finally got my braces off.

I’ve now got to wear a retainer to keep my teeth from moving back to their original position. I’m going to wear it all the time for 6 weeks and then on a night for the rest of my life. It was pretty uncomfortable and tight at first but now I’ve got used to it I don’t really mind wearing it. I’ll pretty much do anything just to keep my teeth straight and this is the solution to that.

To everyone born with naturally straight teeth: I envy you slightly but in a way I’m glad I’ve been on this journey because the results are so satisfying.

To everyone who is getting braces or has braces right now: hang in there and don’t stress about it. You may feel pain now but I promise you it is so worth it in the end. Beauty is pain after all!

Thank you for reading this post! I would love to know about your braces experience so tell me all about it in the comments. There’ll be another post out soon but bye for now!

Amelia Grace a.k.a Amelia in Hull

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I never realised how much of a commitment braces are!! I remember being really jealous as a teenager because everyone else seemingly got braces and I never had them (thankfully!). Did you used to have to brush your teeth at school as well then?! xx

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They are a nightmare! But they are so worth it in the end. I used to use mouthwash as I was quite self conscious then and people asking why I was brushing my teeth would’ve been my nightmare xx

Wow Amelia all the pain you have experienced has been worth it as your teeth now look fantastic. Well done.x

Definitely agree! Thank you xx

The pain is worth it!

I remember the first week after I got braces! It was so painful that I only got to eat soup and other soft food only! It was really bad I think I’ve had a headache and body ache for that whole week!

I recently just got my upper braces removed because of a dental emergency, it was a really good thing that my teeth were ligated already so my dentist could remove it. I still don’t know when my lower braces will be removed as but I can’t wait to finally get free from it!

Also which kind of retainers do you use? For my upper teeth I have the Essix (clear plastic) retainers that I have to wear everyday for 1 year and every night for the rest of my life. 😳

This is a really good post, Amelia! ❤️

I really relate! Awww bless u. That’s so exciting! Hope you are okay with the dental emergency though. I don’t really know to be honest. I do know though that I had to wear the retainer every day for 6 weeks and now I only have to wear it on an evening xx

[…] My braces journey: Part of the reason why I love the content I have created this year is because it reflects my life and this post is a perfect example of that. I had braces on for two years and it was interesting to write about the experience I had with them on this blog. Hopefully this post might also help someone if they are struggling with the idea of getting braces! […]

[…] My braces journey : This was a post that I had planned for a long time and it was so amazing to finally write it in 2020 after I had my braces off. I can’t describe the confidence boost that occurs after the braces come off and you can see how straight your teeth are. It was quite the journey getting to that point but it was so worth it in the end with the result. […]

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