Braces

What types of braces are available?

Dr. Lee offers several types of braces and during your consultation he can recommend the right braces for your specific needs. Braces can help correct common dental issues, including misaligned bites, crowded or gapped teeth, and crooked teeth.

Braces available at Lee Orthodontics include:

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces use metal brackets that keep the corrective archwire in place. Dr. Lee bonds the brackets into place with an adhesive and must occasionally tighten the wire to promote progressive teeth movement.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces use transparent ceramic brackets that blend in with your natural teeth. These clear braces are durable and facilitate tooth movement with clear ligatures that hold the archwire in place.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are similar to traditional braces except they use a custom-made bracket that holds the archwire in place. These braces move your teeth without any elastic bands or metal ties and give your teeth more freedom to move, making the treatment process comfortable and fast.

What can I expect when I get braces?

Whether you’re getting traditional, ceramic or self-ligating braces, Dr. Lee first prepares your teeth before attaching the brackets and braces. After a thorough cleaning, he polishes your teeth and applies an adhesive primer. He uses a safe dental bonding glue to place the brackets on your teeth, then positions the wire through the brackets.

Once the structure of the braces is in place, Dr. Lee makes any necessary adjustments for your comfort. He requests a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to ensure you’re not having any issues, and to make additional adjustments to your braces.

How do I care for my braces?

While wearing your braces, you need to carefully clean and floss your teeth after every meal, at least three times a day. Gently brush around the braces to remove plaque and bacteria.

You also need to schedule professional dental cleanings based on Dr. Lee’s advice for overall dental hygiene. These cleanings ensure your teeth are free of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues while you’re wearing braces.

It’s also important you avoid eating sticky or hard foods that can cause damage to your braces. Dr. Lee can provide you with a list of food you should avoid to keep your braces in good condition.

How long do I need to wear braces?

Dr. Lee discusses with you how long you can expect to wear braces. Typical treatment times can range from 12-30 months depending on the severity of your bite misalignment.

You visit Dr. Lee regularly, usually once a month or every other month. These appointments allow Dr. Lee to adjust your braces and evaluate the progressive movements of your teeth.

To schedule a consultation for braces, book an appointment online or by phone today. We are happily accepting new patients in the East Bay area, includingConcord, Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Alamo, Benicia, Orinda, Danville, San Ramon, Hercules, Berkeley, and Oakland.