What to Expect from FASTBRACES®
If you want to transform your smile, you don’t have to wait years for a straighter smile. FASTBRACES® — an orthodontic treatment that uses one single high-tech wire and uniquely shaped brackets — can straighten your smile in just about 120 days (on average).
And the best part? FASTBRACES is offered here at The Dental Center of Hercules team in Hercules, California.
Below, Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro explains how the FASTBRACES process works and what you can expect from them.
What are FASTBRACES?
FASTBRACES are an orthodontic treatment designed to straighten teeth more quickly than traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces that move your teeth in two stages, FASTBRACES move both your tooth root and your crown at the same time.
The secret? FASTBRACES use triangle-shaped brackets and a single wire to move your root and crown at the same time.
What to expect from FASTBRACES
Thinking about FASTBRACES for you or your child? Here’s what you can expect:
Consultation
As with any orthodontic treatment, your FASTBRACES experience starts with a consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Teodoro examines your mouth and bite, reviews X-ray images, and determines if orthodontic treatment is right for you.
Design your custom treatment plan
Once you’re approved for FASTBRACES, Dr. Teodoro designs a personalized treatment plan that outlines how long you’ll need the braces and what adjustments will be necessary throughout the process.
Thanks to the Alveolar Bone Formula (ABF) — an instrument that synthesizes measurements — your FASTBRACES treatment planning is incredibly precise, so each part of your treatment can be carefully planned.
Getting your braces put on
Next, it’s time to get your braces put on! During your first treatment visit, the triangular brackets and flexible wire are attached to your teeth.
First, Dr. Teodoro cleans and dries each tooth, and then he applies a small amount of adhesive to the back of each bracket and positions it onto your teeth. Once the brackets are in place, he uses a curing light to harden the adhesive.
After your brackets are attached, Dr. Teodoro threads the wire through the brackets.
Regular adjustments
Every few weeks, you'll visit our Hercules, California, office for adjustments. With each adjustment, your teeth move closer and closer to their ideal location. Because FASTBRACES treatment plans are typically shorter than traditional braces, you can expect fewer office visits overall.
Wear your retainer
Once your treatment is complete — which can range anywhere from three to 12 months depending on the severity of your bite and tooth alignment — you'll be fitted with a retainer to maintain your new smile.
What to expect in the long term
Straightening your teeth provides cosmetic benefits, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Straightening your teeth and correcting your bite can:
- Improve your speech
- Make it easier to chew your favorite foods
- Reduce your risk of interproximal cavities (which can form between crowded teeth)
- Improve your self-confidence
- Make it easier to brush and floss your teeth
To learn more about what FASTBRACES can do for you, give us a call at 510-254-3328. You can also request a FASTBRACES consultation online.