Braces in Appleton & Green Bay

The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary based on the nature and severity of the misalignment and the type of braces used. Your orthodontist will give you an estimate for the cost of your treatment at the beginning.

If your orthodontist has already provided you with an estimate, you can use our cost calculator to determine your approximate monthly payments.

Most children, teens and adults with healthy teeth and gums are generally considered good candidates for treatment with braces. Certain people with significant gum recession or oral health conditions may not be candidates.

Braces come in many different styles and can address a wide range of moderate to complex orthodontic issues, so there are very few limits to who can benefit from braces.

For patients looking for a more low-profile treatment option, we offer translucent braces at Engage Orthodontics. Translucent braces have ceramic brackets that match the color of your teeth, allowing them to blend in with your smile.

Invisalign clear aligners are also an option for low-profile orthodontic treatment.

The average treatment time for braces is 12 to 24 months, but this can vary significantly from patient to patient. The duration of your orthodontic treatment depends primarily on the type and severity of your misalignment.

It can take a little time to get used to your new braces. You may find it hard to resist poking them with your tongue as you get used to how the wires and brackets feel.

You may also notice that certain areas of your mouth rub against the braces and get sore. Orthodontic wax can be placed on the braces in these areas to help create a smoother surface with less friction as your mouth adjusts.

If you have metal braces with rubber bands, you can update the color of the bands when you come in for an adjustment appointment. Orthodontic elastics can come in a rainbow of different colors for you to choose from. Being able to personalize your braces can make orthodontic treatment that much more fun!

We may sometimes use e-chains to close the spaces between teeth, and these come in lots of colors as well. You can change the color of your braces elastics based on the season, upcoming holidays, or your personal style.

You will almost certainly experience some discomfort at different points of your orthodontic treatment with braces. However, any pain you feel during your braces treatment is temporary and usually gets better over a few days or even hours.

Discomfort from braces usually happens for a week or so after you first get them and also for a few hours or days after your adjustment appointments as the teeth begin to shift. Patients tend to describe it as a sensation of pressure or an ache. This type of pain is usually easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers until it has passed.

Some patients may feel minor discomfort when the brackets rub against the inside of the cheeks. This can also happen when you first get your braces and directly after adjustment appointments. Orthodontic wax can be applied to the braces in the areas where the rubbing occurs to create a smoother surface against the inside of your mouth. Speak with your orthodontist for more advice on how to relieve discomfort.

Yes, adults can get braces! More and more adults these days are opting to undergo orthodontic treatment that they missed out on when they were younger, to improve their oral health and the appearance of smiles.

Translucent ceramic braces or Invisalign are also great options for adult patients looking for a more discreet appearance. Both these options allow you to straighten your teeth without the more pronounced appearance of traditional braces.

Yes, children as young as seven years old may sometimes be candidates for braces. Certain developing misalignments and bite problems can be more easily treated when children are young when we can work with and guide their oral development instead of addressing issues later on.

With all that being said, we take a very conservative approach to braces for children and only prescribe them when there's a serious risk of future orthodontic problems.

Yes, brushing your teeth at least after each meal throughout your braces treatment is necessary.

Oral hygiene becomes more important than ever while you're wearing braces. Braces can create tiny crevices, nooks, and crannies that were not there before. It's very easy for food particles to get caught in these spaces, allowing for bacteria to build up more easily.

To avoid developing cavities (not to mention tooth discoloration and bad breath), extra vigilance with your oral hygiene is essential.

Flossing when you have braces may sound complicated, but it's pretty simple.

To floss your teeth with braces, feed the floss down through the space between the archwire and your teeth. We supply floss threaders for our patients to make this easier. Pull the end of the floss gently towards the back of the tooth and draw the floss up and down between the teeth. Then repeat this process between each pair of teeth.

Eating with braces requires some extra care, but you should still be able to eat many of the foods you love.

You'll need to avoid hard, crunchy, or overly sticky/tacky foods. In general, it's important to chew carefully while wearing braces and take your time. Avoid biting into foods like apples or corn on the cob (cut your apple into bite-sized pieces and shell your corn instead!) and avoid chewing gum completely.

The good news is that you will mostly be able to follow your regular diet and just keep these few considerations in mind.

You will need to be extra careful playing rough sports when you have braces. Activities where you may experience a blow to the face would be best avoided entirely. Even with a mouth guard, sports like boxing are not advisable.

Other contact sports, like football or rugby, may be possible if you wear a mouth guard, but we advise extreme caution in these cases as well.

For most sports, though, you should be able to keep playing with no problem. If you want to continue getting out on the field, court or rink during your treatment, we recommend wearing a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, your mouth, and the braces themselves from damage.

Braces and Invisalign are both effective orthodontic treatment options, but their differences may affect their suitability for different individuals. 

When choosing between braces and Invisalign, you will want to take your personal preferences and lifestyle, aesthetics, the nature and severity of your misalignment, and finances into consideration. You can learn more here.

Your orthodontist will assess your specific case and recommend the best treatment option for your needs.