From Invisalign to traditional metal braces and every service in between, Dr. Wood provides a range of orthodontic care for patients of all ages. As a board-certified orthodontist serving the Rochester, NY area, she knows the importance of creating a treatment plan perfectly fitted to patients’ smile goals. Her orthodontic care goes beyond teeth straightening to incorporate the gums, bite, and facial form, enhancing one’s overall appearance.
Metal braces are the tried and true orthodontic treatment option. They have the ability to straighten the most severe cases of crooked, over-crowded, and misaligned smiles. Many younger and adolescent patients enjoy customizing their metal braces with colors. We offer both traditional stainless steel brackets (what most people think of when they hear the word “braces”) as well as champagne colored brackets, which offer the durability of metal braces with a more esthetic look.
Clear braces work just like traditional metal braces, but they are made of a clear ceramic material. These are a more esthetic option for patients who don’t like the look of metal braces. They blend with the natural color of your teeth, no matter what shade they are, making them one of the most attractive ceramic brackets available. This option can be great for teens or adults.
At Rochester Family Orthodontics, we use Iconix® brackets from American Orthodontics. They are coated with a smooth zirconia finish that gives them a light gold appearance that is both durable and beautiful. Because the brackets are lighter in color, they blend in more with the color of the teeth than a traditional metal bracket. These braces appeal to patients of all ages because they offer the best of both worlds: the durability of a traditional metal bracket with superior esthetics.
Clear aligners are the esthetic solution for straighter teeth. These virtually invisible and removable plastic trays are custom made for your mouth and move your teeth without the need for traditional brackets and wires. Dr. Wood uses Invisalign® and will work with you to determine the best option for your treatment goals. She will monitor your progress with regularly scheduled appointments until your aligner treatment is complete.
Spark is another orthodontist directed clear aligner system that is well suited for people with busy and active lifestyles. Spark Clear Aligners are made from a new material in orthodontics that offers key benefits to patients. This material makes aligners that are more clear, stain less, and can be more comfortable to wear than other aligner systems.
Some orthodontic issues are easier to treat before all the permanent teeth have come into the mouth. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. By this age, there has usually been enough development of the permanent teeth to determine if there is an orthodontic problem present or developing.
Not every child will need early treatment. Dr. Wood may recommend a period of observation, which allows us to start treatment at the appropriate time. Common problems that may benefit from early treatment include:
-Early or late loss of baby teeth
-Thumb or finger sucking
-Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth-Protruding teeth
-Biting into the roof of the mouth
-Underbite
-Crossbite
