At Halgren Orthodontics, one of our favorite parts of our job is to see each patient shine when their new smile is revealed. Marching into a perfect smile can be exciting, but it can also be nerve wracking for our patients if they don’t know what to expect.

Even though orthodontic treatment has grown in popularity and is a pretty common occurrence in most households, there are still several unknowns and myths about orthodontics.

Our team at Halgren Orthodontics is here to debunk 8 common orthodontic myths that we often hear from our patients. After reading these debunked myths, you’ll be ready to embark on your orthodontic treatment journey in no time!

• Orthodontic treatment is purely cosmetic 

Now of course Dr. Halgren’s top priority is to provide each patient with a beautiful, straight smile, but our goal is to influence more than aesthetics.

One of the most common myths about orthodontics is that treatment only benefits the look of your smile. Treatment goes far beyond cosmetics and can actually correct your bite, eliminate jaw pain, and protect your teeth from excessive wear.

• Orthodontic treatment is only for crooked teeth.

Most of our patients associate braces and clear aligners with correcting crooked teeth, but they can actually change several orthodontic issues. Braces can correct misalignments, overcrowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.

Orthodontic treatment goes beyond straightening crooked teeth and revealing an aesthetic straight smile. By correcting some of the issues listed above, braces can improve your overall oral health and can maximize the function of your teeth.

• Braces are extremely painful

When you think of braces, do you think of those chunky, bulky, metal braces orthodontists used when you were a kid? Braces as you remember them may have been a little painful, but several orthodontic advancements over the years have streamlined braces to provide patients with a more comfortable fit.

While you may experience some discomfort after we initially apply your braces and after each adjustment, our patients rarely experience pain during treatment. If you do experience any discomfort, try taking over-the-counter pain relievers, use some orthodontic wax, apply a cold compress, or use a warm saltwater rinse.

If you do experience any pain during your treatment, please give our office a call at 360-336-3436 and we will schedule an appointment with Dr. Halgren to ensure everything is working properly.

• Braces are only for teens

Another common misconception is that orthodontic treatment is only for teenagers. The truth is, at Halgren Orthodontics, there is no age limit on your dream smile! As long as you have strong, healthy teeth and gums, you’re a great candidate for braces or clear aligners.

Our team at Halgren Orthodontics treats patients all across the age spectrum, in fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontics, about 27% of US adults are receiving braces treatment right now. The AAO also recommends that children visit the orthodontist by age 7. Bringing your child in early can help prevent future orthodontic problems down the road. Our team is dedicated to finding a custom treatment plan for each patient, so although we have several teenage patients in braces, there truly is no age limit on orthodontic treatment!

• You can use at home teeth aligner treatments instead of going to the orthodontist. 

While there are several at-home teeth aligner systems that claim to work just as effectively as treatment from an in-person orthodontist, using at-home aligners can actually be very dangerous.

Mail-order aligners have actually been known to cause more harm than good. While they may seem like a more affordable option at first, you will likely end up paying more money in the long run, correcting your original orthodontic issues, plus the issues caused by the mail-order aligners. These errors can easily be avoided with the supervision of an experienced professional, like Dr. Halgren.

• Once treatment ends, your teeth stay straight forever.

After your treatment is over and you get your braces or clear aligners removed, your orthodontic treatment journey isn’t technically over. Braces did the hard part by moving your teeth into the correct place, but now they need a little assistance staying there.

Right after you get your braces removed, our team will take new scans of your smile and create a retainer that perfectly hugs every tooth, preserving your new smile. Wearing your retainer every night is extremely vital to maintaining the results you achieved with braces. It’s possible to keep your new dream smile, but you will need the help of your trusty retainers.

• Orthodontic treatment is quick

Orthodontic treatment isn’t a quick fix. It is a careful and meticulous process designed to move each tooth into the preferred location, improving your aesthetic and maximizing the function of your teeth. There isn’t really an average treatment time, because each treatment is based on your goals and the orthodontic complexity, but most cases vary from 18 to 24 months.

Remember to remain patient and dedicated during your orthodontic experience and it will be over before you know it. All of your time in treatment will be worth it once you see your new smile!

• Orthodontic treatment is expensive 

Some of our potential patients and new patients are hesitant to begin orthodontic treatment for their children or for themself, because they have a misconception that it isn’t affordable.

Our team at Halgren Orthodontics believes that everyone deserves to have the smile of their dreams, and that’s why we specifically go over financials during your consultation appointment. We make a point to go over payment plans, and your insurance coverage, that way we can find a custom plan that works for you and your family!

Orthodontic treatment is about so much more than improving the aesthetics of your smile. Our team at Halgren Orthodontics wants all of our patients and potential patients to know that braces can improve their overall health, function and confidence.

We hope that shedding a little light on some of these common orthodontic misconceptions has helped prepare you for your journey to a brighter and straighter smile as well!

Are you ready to achieve the smile of your dreams? Call our office today to set up your free consultation, and we will have you on your way to your best smile in no time!