Damon System
The Damon appliances are an innovative clinical technology that makes orthodontic treatment more efficient and more comfortable than ever before. The traditional treatment involving tying archwires in with elastic ties causes friction. This involves heavier forces to move the teeth, resulting in a longer treatment time. Self-ligation appliances have a built-in "sliding door" that holds the wire in place while allowing it to slide freely back and forth.

This system allows the use of high-tech, light-force wires to achieve tooth movement. This results in less pressure to the teeth, thus more comfortable treatment. Treatment time can be dramatically reduced. This means fewer adjustments, which result in less frequent office visits to achieve treatment goals.

Feel free to discuss with Dr. Hood prior to treatment if these new braces are right for you.

Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high grade stainless steel. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more attractive.

Expanders Crowding and lack of space for the adult teeth is a very common problem for orthodontic patients. In growing individuals the tendency is for the jaws to lengthen but narrow over time. In adults, this narrowing and crowding continues over an entire lifetime. Expansion or widening of the jaw is an effective treatment in certain growing patients with overly narrow or constricted jaws. Expansion is most effective before puberty when the jaws are still moldable. Upper jaw expansion works by opening the sutures of the upper jaw and allowing new bone to grow. Expansion of the lower jaw involves uprighting tipped lower teeth, since there is no lower suture to open. Expanders can be cemented appliances ( fixed or glued in) or removable (retainers).

The Herbst Appliance is designed to correct bites and improve facial profiles. The most common bite problem the Herbst will correct is when the upper teeth protrude too far beyond the lower. We tend to think that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward but, more often than not, this condition is due to a small lower jaw that is further back than it should be.
The Herbst will encourage the lower jaw to catch up in growth. The appliance is cemented and will work for even the most sensitive patient because a constant force is much less painful and disruptive than intermittent forces, like a head gear, and is much more predictable as far as results.

Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal. The only drawback to ceramic brackets are that they are more fragile and the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits.

Invisalign
The Invisalign System is a series of clear overlay templates—called aligners—that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. This system is available to adult patients with certain orthodontic bite problems. Ask us if you are a candidate for the Invisalign system.

Gold Braces
Gold braces are stainless steel braces coated with 24 karat gold, and are popular with patients of all ages.