Here at Kovacs Orthodontics, we know your smile is as unique as you are. We’re committed to finding the perfect treatment option that meets your needs! These days it’s easier than ever to get a straighter smile, thanks to modern technology that makes orthodontic appliances more comfortable, efficient, and affordable. Combined with our customized treatment plans, braces and clear aligners offer highly personalized results patients love!
The first step in this process is a consultation with Dr. Kovacs. During your first visit, you’ll receive a thorough oral examination, which helps your orthodontist form a diagnosis and create a treatment plan built around your specific needs. This plan will include the treatment method best suited for your smile goals. To get an idea of these options and how they can transform your teeth, keep reading below!
Braces 101
Braces are the top orthodontic treatment, year after year, and with good reason! This familiar appliance has been around for centuries in one form and has a long history of successfully correcting a range of orthodontic issues. Braces are particularly effective in treating complex or severe cases and tend to work fast to close gaps and align the teeth. While the average treatment time averages from about 12-36 months, small signs of improvement can often be seen in a relatively short period. This can be encouraging if you’re a new patient who isn’t sure what to expect from the process!
The maintenance involved with traditional braces can come with a learning curve initially. Your oral hygiene is a good example. Regular brushing and flossing are essential to your oral care, but it’s even more important during orthodontic treatment.
Dental hygiene can be a little trickier with braces since navigating around the brackets, wires, and bands. Patience and practice are key! We recommend that all our Kovacs Orthodontics patients brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time and floss every night before bed.
Food restrictions are another necessary part of the orthodontic process when wearing braces. Anything sticky or crunchy needs to go on the back burner until treatment is complete since these foods can damage your brackets and wires. This can take some getting used to, but remember that nothing lasts forever—not even orthodontic treatment! All your hard work will pay off once we remove your braces and reveal a beautiful new smile.
Follow-up visits are another essential part of every treatment plan and are typically scheduled every 6 to 10 weeks. During these appointments, Dr. Kovacs will check that your teeth are moving healthily and change the bands attached to the brackets. He may choose to replace the wire at this time as well. Most of these check-ups are pretty quick so that we can get you back to school or work as soon as possible!
After each adjustment, you may experience some slight soreness, but it should pass in a day or two. These appointments help us ensure the best results in the least amount of time, so if you can’t make one for any reason, let us know as soon as possible! We’ll be happy to reschedule it for you, helping to keep your treatment plan on track and our office running smoothly.
What types of braces are available?
The cutting-edge technology and efficient techniques available with modern orthodontics allow us to offer patients of all ages a wide variety of treatment options. These are more comfortable and customizable than ever before and enable Dr. Kovacs to give you the results you desire without surgery or extractions in most cases. We offer the following treatments from our Billings and Miles City offices.
Traditional metal braces are an orthodontic staple and with good reason! One of our most efficient treatments is currently available, particularly for more severe or complicated cases. Modern braces use high-quality stainless steel, but innovations in the design mean they’re much more comfortable than previous versions. The total treatment time also tends to be shorter than it used to be.
These braces work the same way traditional braces do but benefit from using clear, white, or tooth-colored brackets. For an almost invisible treatment option, we can use them with matching elastics or ties! This makes them popular with patients who have cosmetic concerns. Clear brackets are more delicate than metal braces, so we generally recommend them only for older teen and adult patients.
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear removable aligners to move the teeth instead of brackets and wires. These are made of a soft but strong thermoplastic resin material and customized to fit comfortably over your teeth.
You should wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day and switch them out for the next set every few weeks for Invisalign treatment to succeed. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you can eat and drink whatever you want while in treatment. Your oral hygiene routine will be a whole lot easier, too!
Find the best treatment for you with Kovacs Orthodontics
Like most things in life, every treatment option has its list of pros and cons. Not every method will be suitable for all patients, so it’s essential to work with qualified orthodontists to determine which treatment will be a good fit for your unique smile!
When you choose Kovacs Orthodontics, you’ll never find any “cookie-cutter” treatment plans. Dr. Kovacs is an experienced orthodontist and will only recommend the treatment that will be the best for your specific needs.
If you’re in Billings, Miles City, or the surrounding areas and want to learn more about our treatment options, get in touch today! We’d love to schedule a FREE consultation for you and help you take the first steps in your smile journey.