Our orthodontists in Oak Lawn can change your smile so that you don’t have overlapping teeth or teeth that have large gaps. With modern orthodontic care, you can have a perfect smile that makes it easier to chew food and talk. In addition, you can have a smile that makes you feel confident in all circumstances. To learn more about orthodontic treatment, you should arrange an appointment with our orthodontists to have an evaluation. Your first appointment will include taking X-rays of your face so that our orthodontists understand your bone structure. While most of our patients only require removable aligners or some type of braces, some of our patients require treatment with palate expanders or headgear that changes the position of the jaw. After your examination, our orthodontists will create a customized treatment plan that includes the type of devices required for straightening your teeth. Our orthodontists can project how long the treatment plan will last, and most patients wear braces for two years, but aligners are worn for six months to two years. With this information, you can make an informed decision about your orthodontic treatment.
Aligners or braces
If you need to wear braces to repair your dental malocclusions, then there are different types to choose from in Oak Lawn. You can choose to wear ceramic braces that have color-matching brackets or metal self-ligating braces. Our orthodontists make sure that the brackets and wires are attached correctly. When you need to wear Invisalign® aligners instead, our orthodontists will collect molds of your mouth, and these are analyzed by a computer to make the clear aligners.
Follow your treatment plan
For treatment with aligners, you will have multiple sets of aligners that are made in a different way. Each set of aligners is worn for two to three weeks before you switch to a new set. You must wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day and night. It is okay to remove the aligners to brush and floss your teeth. In addition, you should remove the devices while you chew food and drink beverages. Consuming a healthy diet is essential so that your teeth and alveolar bones are strong. If you wear braces, then you must follow our orthodontists’ rules concerning your diet to avoid eating sticky or hard foods that can harm the brackets or wires.
Schedule a free consultation
To learn more about the benefits of visiting an orthodontist, we warmly encourage you to reach out and make an appointment with Petty & Bielik Orthodontics. At our convenient location in Oak Lawn, our caring and devoted team of professionals will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your free consultation!