Orthodontics FAQ

At Murphy Orthodontics, we are passionate about being your local authority for all things orthodontics. We are continually learning and evolving to be the best orthodontist for you and your family’s needs. Dr. Murphy has crafted his practice with care and hired a qualified team of orthodontic experts to serve his patients’ needs best. We’ve refined our processes to perfection so you have a seamless orthodontic experience with quality appliances and services. 

What Is Orthodontics?

We’ve found that there is often some confusion about what orthodontics is, why it’s necessary, and who is qualified to practice in this field. So we want to give you all the information you need about the field to have a better understanding of the life-changing treatments you can have done to achieve the smile of your dreams. 

Orthodontics is a specialized form of dentistry that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating facial and dental abnormalities. This often includes straightening teeth, realigning jaws, and fixing overcrowded or overlapping teeth. It’s a common misconception that orthodontics fixes superficial issues when in reality, it can impact your oral and overall health. For example, if your teeth or jaw are in the wrong position, it can cause you pain or difficulty while performing standard functions such as biting, eating, drinking, and more. It can also be difficult to properly clean your smile if you can’t access certain areas of your teeth. 

There are a select group of professionals that are qualified to make structural changes to your smile. Orthodontists, such as Dr. Murphy, have all the education of a general dentist with additional specialty training to earn their title. After dental school, they attend two to three more years of schooling to learn about designing and applying appliances for better alignment and facial balance.

What Are the Different Types of Orthodontic Treatments?

No matter what stage of life you’re in, there is a corrective treatment that can work for you. Patients of all ages are seeking appliances that will help them achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. Traditional metal braces may be the perfect choice for our patients looking for a treatment that has consistently created beautiful smiles for years. We place metal brackets on each of your teeth for this appliance and connect them using NiTi wires or heat-activated wires that adjust over time. Unlike other braces treatments, our office will only need to see you once every eight weeks for adjustments because of our use of NiTi wires. The wires and brackets are bound together by rubber bands to customize by color to show off your personality. 

If you like the results of traditional metal braces but want a more discreet appliance, clear ceramic braces may be the proper treatment for you. Ceramic braces work the same as metal braces, but instead of metal brackets, they use ceramic ones that match the color of your natural teeth. This treatment is incredibly effective, but the brackets are less durable, so they are more prone to breaking on patients who are rough with their appliances.

Invisalign is an excellent option for our patients who want to work toward their dream smile but need a little more flexibility and discretion than traditional braces can offer. This appliance has grown in popularity in recent years because of its freedom to enjoy a braceless smile. This treatment consists of a series of clear aligners that fit snugly over your smile and can be easily removed whenever you want to eat, drink, and more. Not only are the aligners virtually invisible, but they’re also highly comfortable. The aligners are created using a 3D printer that prints in a thermoplastic designed for patient comfort and ease.

Do Braces Hurt?

While there is a short adjustment period when you get your braces on, you eventually won’t be able to tell you’re wearing them. When you first get your appliance on, your mouth will have to get used to the feeling of metal, and you may feel some minor discomfort as your teeth begin to shift. This feeling is normal, and we suggest you take over-the-counter pain medication or use braces wax while you get used to your treatment. If you feel prolonged pain, don’t hesitate to call our office so we can help you solve the issue.

Why Straighten Teeth?

Straightening teeth has various great benefits that will serve you well for years to come. Patients experience improved confidence and self-esteem when they look in the mirror and see a beautiful smile they’re proud to wear. Our doctor felt so inspired by the smile he achieved through braces that he entered the field to help others experience that feeling. 

Beyond improved aesthetics, straight teeth help your smile function better. When your teeth are in the wrong positions, you may experience pain or discomfort when you speak, bite, eat, and more. By correcting your teeth’ position and realigning your jaw, you can enjoy the full function of your smile without fear of worsened oral health down the road.