If you’re an athlete who is considering braces or already wearing braces, you might be wondering how it will impact your game. Well, as a Papillion, NE orthodontist and huge sports fan (especially football!), Dr. Hawley can assure you that orthodontic treatment won’t sideline you. In fact, there are plenty of professional athletes with braces. However, wearing a mouthguard is a must to protect your mouth and your appliance.

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Dental braces have been around for quite a while. In fact, early variations of the metal braces that are still used today were created in the 19th century. The reason they’ve stuck around for so long is they’re extremely effective at straightening the teeth and aligning the bite. However, there have been some serious innovations in orthodontics, so braces are smaller, sleeker and way more comfortable than they used to be. They’re also available in ceramic materials that blend in with the smile and there are self-ligating braces that don’t require elastics and have a whole host of benefits. Today, we’ll be discussing the different types of braces we offer at our office, as well tips for choosing the right braces for your smile.  

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Our second molars erupt when we’re 12 or 13 and then, once we’re finally settled into having all of our permanent teeth, the third molars, commonly called the wisdom teeth, suddenly make an appearance, typically between the ages of 17 and 21. Orthodontic treatment frequently falls in the middle of these two milestones and at Hawley Orthodontics, most of our teenage patients are finished with braces or Invisalign Teen a while before their wisdom teeth come in.

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One of the things Dr. Hawley loves most about being a Papillion orthodontist is witnessing the transformation his patients undergo throughout orthodontic treatment. Of course, part of the transformation is achieving a fantastic new smile and getting a huge boost in confidence. Yet, the benefits of treatment go beyond the cosmetic aspects and, believe it or not, another big perk of bringing the teeth and jaws into alignment is improving a patient’s speech. Certain types of malocclusions, which are issues with the alignment or position of the teeth and jaws, can play a role in speech disorders. Since orthodontists are specialists in diagnosing, preventing and treating malocclusions, it makes sense that there are common speech problems orthodontics can help alleviate.

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At the end of orthodontic treatment, you’ll have a stellar grin and improved oral health. However, to reach that point and ensure you get amazing results, you’ll want to give your smile and your hardware (or clear aligners) the TLC they deserve. Life with braces won’t require too much extra effort but there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind so your appliances stay in excellent shape and you’re comfortable. To point you in the right direction, the team here at Hawley Orthodontics has compiled 20 helpful Invisalign and braces tips and tricks.

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