Treatments
Early Treatment
While braces are commonly done during the teenage years, getting an orthodontic assessment or treatment early is beneficial for children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first visit with an orthodontist around 7-8 years of age to ensure proper teeth and jaw growth. Early intervention in children ensures that primary teeth are positioned correctly and that the jaw bone grows sufficiently in preparation for the erupting permanent teeth, preventing future dental problems.
Adolescent Treatment
Over the years, we have seen thousands of teenagers self-conscious about their smiles due to crooked teeth, impacting their social interactions and relationships. Here at Orthodontic Associates of New Canaan, we offer several orthodontic options for teenagers to work on a smile they'll be confident with, from metal braces to clear aligners. Our goal is to provide a healthy, beautiful smile that will be able to help them grow into confident older teens.
Later Teen Treatment
While in your late teens, you may be busy meeting new people or celebrating life milestones, making you want to have a straight smile that will make you feel confident. If you don't like metal braces for aesthetic reasons, we offer discreet alternatives such as ceramic braces and clear aligners. These are perfect for older teens with busy lifestyles and who prefer to straighten teeth discreetly.
Metal Braces
Metal braces have been the go-to orthodontic treatment since the 1800s as they can correct a wide array of bite problems from mild to severe. With the advancement in orthodontics, our metal brackets are now smaller and more comfortable than the bulky ones you have seen in the past. Braces are composed of metal brackets, wire, and colored O-rings – which makes them suitable for children who want to change colors frequently.
Clear Braces
Patients with busy lifestyles prefer fixed orthodontic treatment to avoid the hassle of removing clear aligners during eating and drinking in the daytime. Clear braces are suitable for those who want a more subtle aesthetic option, similar to clear aligners. They are made of teeth-colored material that blends in with surrounding teeth, which makes them less noticeable.
Invisalign®
If you'd like to keep your orthodontic treatment a secret, we offer Invisalign clear aligners, an innovative way to gradually move teeth to their ideal positions with a series of clear aligners. The best part is that they are almost invisible, comfortable, and removable. You can eat, brush, and floss easily compared to metal braces. In addition, a special type of Invisalign is made specifically for teens, which has a color-changing indicator dot to help parents track how long their teens are wearing their aligners. Aligners are successful only if they are worn full time. They require a commitment to be an active participant in the treatment process, otherwise braces are a better choice and offer better results. Very busy people achieve a better result with braces.
Retainers
Your orthodontic treatment is an investment, and we want to protect that investment! After your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Cotzas will provide you with removable retainers that should be worn at bedtime to help keep your teeth in their new positions. This is a lifetime commitment otherwise your teeth will move!!!
Upper and Lower fixed retainers, in addition to wearing removable retainers at night, are only available to patients: if they have displayed meticulous oral hygiene during treatment to prevent gum disease, white spots and tooth decay and have also have shown an understanding of which foods must be avoided to prevent breakage.
Upper and Lower fixed retainers, in addition to wearing removable retainers at night, are only available to patients: if they have displayed meticulous oral hygiene during treatment to prevent gum disease, white spots and tooth decay and have also have shown an understanding of which foods must be avoided to prevent breakage.