Braces
Straighten your smile the tried-and-true way.
Improve Your Smile And Health
Braces will give you predictable, beautiful results.
Braces are the most common and effective method to straighten crooked teeth.
Whether your teen needs braces or you’re looking for a smile change, we use proven and advanced techniques to give you exceptional results in the shortest amount of time possible.
At Chatham Orthodontics, we may recommend braces if you have:
We’ll do everything possible to accommodate your or your child’s needs. Schedule an appointment today and see how we can improve your or your child’s smile.
Braces will benefit you in numerous ways:
Making Orthodontic Care Fun
Dr. Barabara Fodero and your smile squad strive to make each visit easy and fun! How do we do this?
Get to know New Jersey’s Top Dentist and see how she can help you smile.
Chatham Orthodontics is amazing! My daughter wore her braces for three years and each visit was a pleasure. She had them taken off today and her teeth are beautiful!!! Dr. Fodero and the staff are very professional, efficient, and caring. I would recommend this practice for anyone in need of an orthodontist.
Jean L., 5-Star Google Review
Caring for Your Braces
Braces FAQs
- How do braces work?
Braces shift your teeth into place by exerting constant pressure on them for an extended period of time. Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll come in so we can make adjustments. These will help ensure that your braces are effectively moving your teeth.
- What do braces fix? Braces treat several dental health issues, including:
- Underbite, overbite, crossbite, and open bite
- Misaligned jaw and TMD
- Issues affecting chewing or speech
- Crooked or gapped teeth
If you’re tired of crooked teeth, schedule a consultation with us and let’s see if braces are the right choice for you.
- How long do people have to wear braces?
Every smile is different, so treatment time will vary. It’ll depend on the complexity of you or your child’s case.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding damaging food, and having regular follow-up appointments will keep you on track to getting your new smile.
On average, you’ll wear braces anywhere from 1-3 years. You may need to wear a retainer after treatment to keep your teeth from moving back. Following Dr. Fodero’s instructions and taking excellent care of your braces will prevent you from having a prolonged plan.
- How do I take care of my braces?
It’s very important to be gentle with your braces to avoid damaging the hardware.
Thoroughly clean your teeth and braces every meal to remove any plaque. Food particles easily get stuck in the brackets and wires. Make sure all visible plaque has been removed after brushing.
Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush, at least three times a day. Be sure to aim the bristles underneath the bracket and wires, and also pay attention to brushing your gum line.
Use your floss threader and floss at least three times a week.
We highly recommend using a WaterPik…Open a new window to the WaterPik website… daily, to flush plaque and food from around the braces.
Before bedtime, use a daily fluoride mouth rinse (such as A.C.T. or Listerine Total Care) to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Follow the directions outlined on the bottle.
Continue to visit your family dentist for routine cleanings and check-ups while in treatment.
More frequent cleaning appointments with your dentist (every 3-4 months) reduces the risk of decalcification and gingivitis while in treatment.
Keep all of your orthodontic appointments so we can track your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
- Do braces hurt?
No.
But:
It’ll take time to get used to wearing them. You may experience soreness for the first week you have braces. Each time your braces are adjusted, you may also be sore for a few days.
Taking over-the-counter pain medications (like Ibuprofen) will help alleviate any discomfort. We also recommend applying an ice pack to your cheeks to relieve any discomfort.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.