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Tag: kids braces

multi-colored braces bracket bands on teen girl

Show Your Spirit with Colored Braces

Written by Identiwrite on . Posted in Metal Braces.

Kids and teens may not be excited about wearing metal orthodontic braces, but colored braces? That’s another story!

To show school spirit or their own free spirit, colored braces come with unlimited options for mixing and matching. And in addition to standard color-wheel options, like black, reds, blues, greens, purples, pinks, and oranges, we often have metallic and glitter bands, which can add a bit of sparkle to your color scheme. (Did someone say “GO TEAM?”) In October, our glow-in-the-dark bands are quite popular, though they’re cool any time of year. For the winter holidays, popular colors are red, green, silver, gold, and blue. With colored bands, you’re the artist.

In today’s blog, we’ll answer common questions about colored braces. If you have additional questions, give us a call at 832-699-3683. As your Tomball orthodontist, Dr. Wint is always happy to answer questions, so you and your kids can make informed decisions about orthodontic treatment.

FAQs for Colored Braces

What are colored braces?

Metal braces brackets help hold an archwire in place by way of ligatures, also called rubber bands, elastics, or just bands. At every appointment, the bands are changed out. Normally, we use clear bands. But who likes normal? 

Colored braces are really metal braces with colored ligatures.

How are bands attached?

The bands are woven into brackets, and they are not the same types of rubber bands that span from top to bottom arches. Those are called interarch bands.

Ligatures (colored braces bands) are literally woven in and around each bracket.

Why do brackets have bands?

Colored braces feature ligatures to help move teeth in specific directions. The archwire itself doesn’t do all of the work.

What colors should I choose?

This is an excellent question. First of all, note that if you use our palette to choose colors, the shade of your bands will be a bit darker than what’s represented in the palette. 

And BONUS, here are some more great tips:

  • DO NOT choose colors that could be mistaken for food stuck on your brackets (brown, green).
  • DO NOT choose yellow; it makes teeth look yellowed.

And…

  • DO choose dark-colored bands to make your teeth look whiter.
  • DO celebrate holidays with the shades of the season.
  • DO support your favorite teams by sporting team colors.
  • DO match bands to your eyes or hair. (This is especially fun if your hair is pink or blue!)
  • DO choose bands in the most prevalent colors of your wardrobe.
  • DO match your bands to your manicure.
  • DO be creative and let your personality shine through!
  • DO plan ahead. Your bands won’t be changed again until your next adjustment appointment. What will happen between now and then? Will baseball end and football begin? Is the 4th of July coming up? What about class pictures? It’s good to plan ahead!

How often are bands changed out?

At every adjustment visit, which occurs every 6 to 8 weeks, we change out colored braces bands. This means, you can select a new color scheme at every visit (though you don’t have to change the color scheme). For a faster visit, plan ahead of time which colors you want.

Why are elastics changed?

Have you ever noticed how elastic-waisted pants become stretched out over time? Braces elastics are no different. To maintain the pressure required to move your teeth, elastics must be swapped out at every adjustment appointment.

Schedule Your Colored Braces Consultation 

Do you want colored braces? If you now wear or will soon wear traditional orthodontic braces, we’ll be happy to help you show your school spirit or your inner pazazz! Call Harmony Orthodontics now at 832-699-3683 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Wint W. Tun. Located in Tomball, TX, Harmony Orthodontics serves children, teens, and adults. We are accepting new patients now, so give us a call!

6 Year Old Girl with Phase 1 Orthodontics Braces

Who Needs Phase 1 Orthodontics?

Written by Identiwrite on . Posted in Orthodontics.

Phase 1 orthodontics is a therapy for children, and it can begin as early as age six. At Harmony Orthodontics in Tomball, TX, Dr. Wint W. Tun offers two primary options for phase 1 treatment: traditional braces or Invisalign First. Both therapies reshape the mouth to make space for 32 adult teeth to properly develop.

In today’s blog, we’ll review:

  • Who needs phase 1 orthodontics
  • What phase 1 accomplishes
  • Treatment options for phase 1

Does your child need phase 1 orthodontics?

According to the AAO, children should have an orthodontic consultation by age seven. At this consult, the orthodontist can determine whether a child needs braces and when the braces should be applied. In many cases, orthodontists advise parents to wait until all or their child’s permanent teeth have developed before undergoing orthodontic treatment. Other times, children as young as age six may benefit from phase 1 orthodontics.

The purpose of phase 1 treatment is to ensure the mouth has sufficient room for 32 adult teeth to come in straight, while also promoting healthy occlusion. The term occlusion refers to the relationship of upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed.

Children who need phase 1 may have a crossbite, overbite, or underbite. Children who sucked their thumb, bottle-fed, or used a pacifier past age three may have an improperly shaped palate. Those who habitually thrust their tongue against their teeth may experience improper development of the palate.

Commonly, a child’s upper palate is too narrow, which causes the need for extractions when permanent teeth develop. Phase 1 orthodontics makes space, eliminating the need for extractions. Genetics also has much to do with the shape of the jaws. 

How Phase 1 Ortho Helps Kids as They Grow

Since the primary goal of phase one orthodontics is to reshape the palate to accommodate all permanent teeth, treatment usually involves wearing a palatal expander. This device is worn on the upper palate to guide bone growth and widen the palate. (Note that harmful habits like thumbsucking and tongue thrusting stop when a child wears a palatal expander.)

Bone growth occurs in the center of the palate, where the left and right maxillary bones meet.

By altering mouth shape to accommodate 32 adult teeth, phase 1 orthodontics can prevent future orthodontic problems. Ultimately, this eliminates the need for extractions and other procedures later in life. If the child needs to wear braces during the teen years, treatment time may be shorter because of the results of phase 1 therapy.

Treatment Options for Phase 1

At Harmony Orthodontics, Dr. Tun offers two options for phase 1 orthodontic treatment. 

The therapy that provides the most accurate tooth movement and jaw expansion is traditional phase 1. The child wears a palatal expander and may also need spacers, in addition to wearing metal braces. A parent will need to turn a special key on the expander each night, to create appropriate pressure for jaw growth. Typically, traditional phase 1 ortho takes two years and is appropriate for children between ages six and nine. 

Another option for patients with qualifying cases is Invisalign First. Like regular Invisalign, the patient wears a series of clear, removable aligners instead of affixed metal braces. Invisalign First acts as both a palatal expander and braces, expanding the width of the upper palate and repositioning teeth. Not all patients’ cases qualify for Invisalign First. 

No-Cost, No-Obligation Phase 1 Orthodontic Consultation

Call Harmony Orthodontics in Tomball, TX, at 832-699-3683 to schedule your (or your child’s) complimentary orthodontic consultation with Dr. Wint Tun. After x-rays and a thorough oral exam, Dr. Tun will explain her findings and discuss treatment options, if necessary. We offer a few different options for phase 1 orthodontics and Dr. Tun will provide you with all the details during your visit.