Braces in Sturbridge

The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary greatly depending on the type and severity of the misalignment and the kind of braces used. Your orthodontist will give you an estimate of the treatment cost upfront.

If you already have an estimate from your orthodontist, you can use our cost calculator to determine your approximate monthly payments.

Most children, teens and adults who have healthy teeth and gums are generally considered good candidates for braces. That said, some people with severe recession or oral health issues might not be suitable candidates.

Braces come in many styles and can treat a wide range of moderate to complex orthodontic problems, so almost anyone can benefit from them.

We offer self-ligating Damon Braces at Sturbridge Orthodontics. Self-ligating braces don't require elastics or ties like traditional braces, giving them a neater, more streamlined look.

Additionally, we offer self-ligating braces with a ceramic bracket option that matches the natural color of your teeth and blends with your smile.

Invisalign clear aligners are also an option for low-profile orthodontic treatment.

The typical treatment time for braces is 12 to 24 months, but this can vary greatly between patients. How long your orthodontic treatment takes mainly depends on the type and severity of your misalignment. As you might expect, milder or moderate cases are faster to treat than more complex ones.

It will probably take a week or two to fully get used to your braces after you first get them. You might find it tempting to poke at them with your tongue as you adjust to how the wires and brackets feel.

You may also notice that certain areas of your mouth rub against the braces, causing soreness. Orthodontic wax can be placed on the braces in these areas to help create a smoother surface with less friction as your mouth adjusts. Again, this discomfort is temporary, and after a couple of weeks, your mouth will likely feel normal again.

You will almost certainly experience some discomfort at different points of your orthodontic treatment with braces. However, any pain you feel during your braces treatment is temporary, and usually resolves over a few days, or even hours.

Discomfort from braces typically lasts about a week after getting them and also occurs for a few hours or days following adjustment appointments when the teeth begin to shift. Patients usually describe it as a feeling of pressure or an ache. This kind of pain is generally easy to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers until it passes.

Another type of temporary discomfort you might experience during your braces treatment is when the brackets rub against the inside of your mouth. This can also occur when you first get your braces and right after adjustment appointments. Orthodontic wax can be applied to the braces in the areas where the rubbing happens to create a smoother surface against the inside of your mouth. You can also use painkillers to manage this discomfort until it goes away.

Yes, adults can get braces! Increasingly, more adults are choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment they missed out on when they were younger, to improve their oral health and the appearance of their smiles.

Many of our adult patients prefer the lower profile, more streamlined look of translucent ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, or Invisalign. All these options allow you to straighten your teeth without the more pronounced appearance of traditional braces.

Yes, children as young as seven years old may be candidates for braces in some cases. Addressing certain developing misalignments and bite issues is more effective in children, as early intervention allows us to guide their oral development and prevent more complex problems later in life rather than trying to correct established issues.

With all that being said, we take a very conservative approach to braces for children, and only prescribe them when there's a serious risk of future orthodontic problems.

Yes, it's a good idea to brush your teeth after each meal during your braces treatment.

Taking care of your oral hygiene is especially important when you're wearing braces. The braces create lots of small nooks and crannies that weren't there before, which can trap food particles very easily. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow, so staying diligent with your cleaning can make a big difference in keeping your smile healthy and bright.

To avoid developing cavities (not to mention tooth discoloration and bad breath), extra vigilance with your oral hygiene is essential.

Flossing with braces may seem complicated, but it's fairly straightforward once you get the hang of it!

To floss your teeth with braces, guide the floss down through the space between the arch wire and your teeth. We provide floss threaders to make this easier. Gently pull the end of the floss toward the back of the tooth and move the floss up and down between the teeth. Repeat this process between each pair of teeth.

Eating with braces requires some extra care, but you should still be able to eat many of the foods you love.

You should avoid hard, crunchy, or overly sticky and tacky foods. It's generally important to chew slowly and carefully when wearing braces. Refrain from biting directly into foods such as apples or corn on the cob; instead, cut apples into bite-sized pieces and shell your corn. Also, avoid chewing gum altogether.

For the most part, though, you can go on eating your normal diet; there are just a few small considerations.

We generally recommend avoiding any sports that could involve regular direct blows to the face while wearing braces. Even with a mouth guard, sports like boxing still aren't recommended.

Other contact sports, such as football or rugby, might be possible if you wear a mouth guard, but we recommend extreme caution in these situations as well.

For most sports, though, you should be able to keep playing with no problem. If you want to continue getting out on the field, court, or rink during your treatment, we recommend wearing a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, your mouth, and the braces themselves from damage.

Braces and Invisalign are both effective options for orthodontic treatment, but differences between them can influence which is best for each person. 

Factors to consider when choosing between braces and Invisalign include your personal preferences and lifestyle, esthetics, the nature and severity of your misalignment, and cost. You can learn more here.

Your orthodontist will assess your specific case and recommend the best treatment option for your needs.