If you are an adult out in the business world, you know a smile can be a big part of making or breaking a deal. It's often more about the salesman than the product. Don't let those few crooked teeth destroy your confidence. There are options for those who want the correction without drawing attention to a mouth full of hardware. Did you ever hear of ceramic braces? Temecula orthodontist Dr. Tal Jergensen treats adults and many of them prefer the translucent ceramic over other kinds. The braces are barely visible from as close as 3 feet away. You can smile with confidence. The braces are stronger than plastic and not as obvious as metal braces. They make economic sense if you want to avoid drawing attention.
The essence of braces is the same with two functions: move the teeth and/or mold the jaw. The latter occurs when working with young patients still in their formative years. Ceramic braces are not for everyone. It very much depends on what function they will serve (a good reason for not using them in children who require the strength of metal).
To determine what you need, the orthodontist will take impressions of your teeth. This is usually done with harmless molding material and permits them to visualize your bite and determine which teeth require movement, etc.
The next step is to have a panoramic set of x-rays to determine what the roots of each tooth looks like and possible involvement with the roots of other teeth.
For all kinds of braces, including ceramic braces, Temecula orthodontist Jergensen may also find it advantageous to take a specialized x-ray (cephalometric) to evaluate how the jaw is growing.
The final step of preparation may be photographing your face and teeth from several angles to detect abnormalities that may be caused by poorly aligned dentition.