Braces is the term used when teeth are moved to correct a bad or crowded bite. Braces not only correct crowding and spacing of teeth, they can also correct crossbites and malocclusions, the dental term for a bad bite. In fact braces are usually the best way to correct your bite and can even help in some cases of joint pain.
Traditionally wires and brackets are necessary although today there are more choices. Depending on the severity of the situation, sometimes appliances, retainers and clear tray orthodontics can be used. These trays are similar to those used for home whitening, and the most well known system is Invisalign.
The most common use for braces is to correct crowded and misaligned teeth. This is very common in the front teeth where overlapping teeth or spaces can affect your willingness to smile or show your teeth at all.
Instead of opting for dentistry to correct these kinds of problems, you should also look into othodontics or braces. The main reason for this is that dentistry involves grinding of teeth, which is irreversible, and othodontics usually does not. It is always preferable to save tooth structure wherever possible.
The latest system available for othodontics is clear tray ‘invisible braces’. These are thin, clear trays that fit over your teeth that are barely visible. While you can talk with them in, the trays need to be taken out when you eat. They are perfect for adults, or anyone for that matter, who doesn’t want to deal with the inconvenience of the usual brackets and wires of traditional braces.
We provide clear tray orthodontics in our practice which our patients really appreciate because of their ease and comfort. We also have a specialized lab that can often correct simple orthodontic problems with removable appliances, which have the advantage of having a shorter treatment time and are a lot less expensive as well. Call our office if you have any questions or want to do a limited evaluation to see if Clear Correct braces will work for you.
Carey O’Rielly DDS has been a practicing dentist for 35 years. He went to USC Dental School and Duke University for his undergraduate degree. He grew up in Laguna Beach and now lives in La Costa with his wife Victoria, who runs his office.
He began his career by owning and operating a network of six offices in the San Francisco Bay Area. Presently he owns a private holistic practice in North County San Diego’s Encinitas.
Dr. O started looking for solutions to his health challenges that resulted from the stress and environmental toxicity that built up over a ten year period running his dental network. He has dedicated himself to learning about oral systemic problems and how dentistry can affect your health. He has applied what he has learned over the last twenty years to ensure he, his staff and his patients are protected from the chemicals and toxic materials found in most dental offices. He has produced an environmentally friendly office that is also peaceful and calm.
He is an expert on dental materials having looked at hundreds of biocompatibility lab tests over the years. He has identified the most bio-friendly materials to use in his practice and which dental materials can be used to replace metal fillings and crowns, including BPA free and fluoride free ‘white’ fillings. He also uses metal-free Zirconia or ceramic implants and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) grafting materials which come from the patient’s own blood.
Dr. O’Rielly teaches C.E. courses on the systemic effects of gum disease. He is an expert in using phase contrast microscopy for analyzing dental infections, where he shows patients what kind of microbes, i.e. bacteria, amoeba, and yeasts like candida are populating the mouth and affecting the body as a whole.
He has an educational blog and is writing a book on dental health called ‘Hidden Dental Infections: Healing Root Canals and Infected Teeth with the Erbium Laser’ where he discusses dental nutrition, toxic dental materials and the effects of old root canals on inflammation and overall health.
