If you’ve always wanted straighter teeth, but you’ve been a bit hesitant because of the financial investment, your interest may be piqued by mail-order aligners. After all, they are the same as Invisalign, but at a lower price point, right? While that’s what their marketing efforts make it seem like, that’s far from the truth. In fact, choosing an Invisalign alternative can be dangerous for several reasons, including:

For some people (especially kids) it can be difficult to feel like you “fit in” when you wear braces. Sporting metal wires and brackets can convince you that you stand out, and while that can be a good thing for some, that attention isn’t always welcome for others. If you or your child are feeling a little insecure about your new equipment, it may help you to know that you’re not alone. In fact, at any given time an estimated 4 million people are wearing braces in America, and there’s even some pretty cool media representations, too.

In that spirit, here are five pop-culture characters that rock wires and brackets and make it look fun!

Very few adults want to hear that they need braces. After all, it’s hard enough to imagine walking around with a mouth full of metal when you’re a teenager – now you also have to worry about looking professional.

But what if this post told you it might not be as bad as you think? Modern braces are able to offer more convenience and comfort than ever before, and at the end of your treatment, you’ll have a beautifully straight smile that will last for a lifetime!

Now that you’ve completed orthodontic treatment and you have a beautiful, healthy smile to show for it, it’s important to maintain your results with your retainer. There are many different kinds of retainers, but no matter the type it’s likely that you’ll eventually need to replace yours.

Thankfully, retainers aren’t subject to much wear and tear, as they’re not worn during meals and typically only used while you’re asleep, but with time they can still become damaged, rendering them ineffective and increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease when in use.

Whether you’ve noticed changes in yours, or you’re simply curious about what to look for, here’s a handy guide to knowing when it’s time to replace your retainer!

Many people wonder how much they can expect their orthodontic treatment to cost. Googling totals typically yields a range, but finding specifics isn’t usually possible, no matter how hard you look. That’s because like many oral health treatments, the cost of orthodontics is determined on a case-by-case basis and can vary depending on a variety of different factors. Here are a few examples of things that could affect the cost of your treatment, and why when it comes to aligning your smile, one price doesn’t fit all.

Getting started on any new journey is easier when you’re well prepared, and that includes getting set for your new braces. While you may not have them yet, being ready for life with your orthodontic equipment can help make the transition to braces wearer a lot more comfortable.

With orthodontics, the first week is often the hardest, and running back and forth to the store is likely the last thing you’ll want to be doing. In that spirit, here’s a helpful guide to making the first week with your new braces easier, so you can stay comfortable and focus on your improving smile!

Dental insurance is an excellent way to make sure that you and your family’s preventive oral health care needs are met each year. This type of insurance typically covers care like your biannual exam and cleaning and may offer discounts or partial coverage on restorative treatment.

When many parents are faced with getting their children braces, one of their first questions is “will my dental insurance cover orthodontic treatment?” Here’s what you can expect from some plans, and why it’s always best to get orthodontic care while your child is under 18.

If you were fortunate enough to have your smile aligned when you were younger, there’s a good chance your orthodontist provided you with a retainer when your treatment was complete. Unfortunately, over time, many adults stop wearing these devices, causing their teeth to shift out of alignment. If you’re curious about whether you should start wearing your retainer again to help move your teeth back into place, here’s why it’s important to always wear it as prescribed, and why you should never rely on it to restore your bite if you’ve stopped.

If you’ve considered traditional braces but only have issues with your top or bottom arch and not both, you may be wondering if it’s possible to treat just the one that’s bothering you. Here’s why your orthodontist doesn’t typically recommend single arch treatment, and which types of issues are best treated this way.

Time can change a lot of things. Leaves eventually turn bright colors and fall off the trees, paint that sits in the sun all day can sometimes fade, and even your teeth can shift places in your mouth throughout your life. But while changes to your smile can happen due to a variety of reasons, there are thankfully many ways your orthodontist can help. Here are a few common causes of shifting teeth, and what you can do to stop them!