Braces straighten crowded, gapped or crooked teeth and correct how the top and bottom teeth meet. They work on almost any case, at any age, and clear ceramic braces are far less noticeable than most people expect. This page explains the choices, what treatment involves, how long it takes, and what it costs.
To find out whether braces, Invisalign or neither suits you, call 201-425-8600 or request an appointment. We are at 115 Christopher Columbus Drive, Suite 200, two minutes from the Grove Street PATH.
Why straighten teeth
Appearance is the reason most people come in, and it is a perfectly good one. There are practical benefits too. Straight teeth are easier to clean, so they are less prone to decay and gum disease, and a bite that meets properly spreads chewing forces evenly instead of wearing down or chipping a few teeth.
Your options
Ceramic (clear) braces. Brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic, so they blend in with your teeth. Popular with adults and with teenagers who want something less visible. They handle the same range of cases as metal braces. The brackets are slightly larger than metal ones, and the elastic ties can pick up stain between adjustments.
Metal braces. The most familiar option: strong, reliable and usually the least expensive.
Invisalign. Removable clear aligners instead of brackets and wires. Nearly invisible, and you take them out to eat and to clean your teeth. They suit many adults and teenagers, but they only work if you wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. See Invisalign.
Braces are often the better choice for complex tooth movements, for younger teenagers who may not wear aligners consistently, and for anyone who suspects their aligners would end up in a drawer.
Who can have braces
We treat patients of all ages. A check around age seven lets us spot bite problems early, although most children start braces between about 10 and 14, when most of their adult teeth are in. Adults are welcome at any age, as long as the teeth and gums are healthy: gum disease has to be treated and stable before teeth are moved.
What treatment involves
- Records. X-rays, impressions and photographs, and a treatment plan made for your teeth.
- Fitting. Brackets are bonded to the teeth and the wire is placed. It is not painful, though your teeth will ache for a few days as they start to move.
- Adjustments. Short visits every four to eight weeks to adjust the wires and check progress.
- Removal and retainers. When the teeth are in place the braces come off, and you wear retainers to hold the result.
Treatment usually takes 18 to 24 months, depending on your age, the problem being treated, and how closely the plan is followed.
Living with braces
- Soreness. Expect aching teeth for a few days after the fitting and after some adjustments. Soft food and ordinary painkillers help, and orthodontic wax covers any bracket that rubs your cheek.
- Food. Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods: nuts, hard candy, popcorn, caramel, gum, ice, and biting straight into apples or corn on the cob. They break brackets and bend wires.
- Cleaning. Food and plaque collect around brackets, and decay around a bracket leaves a permanent white mark. Brush after meals, use floss threaders or small interdental brushes, and keep up your cleanings.
- Problems. A loose bracket or a wire poking your cheek is not an emergency, but call us so we can fix it before your next adjustment.
Retainers are for life
Teeth drift back toward where they were for years after braces come off, and to some degree for life. Retainers stop that. You wear them full time at first, then usually at night only. A fixed retainer, a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth, is another option. The people whose teeth move again are nearly always the ones who stopped wearing their retainers.
What it costs
Braces are priced for the whole course of treatment rather than per visit. Many PPO plans include orthodontic coverage with its own lifetime maximum, and many limit it to children and teenagers, commonly those under 19. We check your plan, CareCredit can spread the cost over time, and we give you the full cost, including retainers, before you decide.
Who provides your treatment
Dr. Meetu Singal is a general dentist and provides orthodontic treatment here, alongside the rest of your dental care, so your checkups, cleanings and braces are all in one place. For complex cases, such as a significant mismatch between the upper and lower jaw, we refer you to an orthodontist, a specialist in tooth and jaw alignment.
We see patients from across downtown Jersey City, including Grove Street, Exchange Place and Paulus Hook.
How long do braces take?
Usually 18 to 24 months, depending on your age, the problem being treated and how closely the plan is followed. Simple cases can be quicker.
Do braces hurt?
Fitting them does not. Your teeth ache for a few days afterwards, and sometimes after an adjustment, as they start to move. Soft food and ordinary painkillers help.
Are ceramic braces as good as metal braces?
They move teeth just as well. Ceramic brackets are less visible but slightly larger, a little more fragile, and the elastic ties can stain between adjustments.
Should I get braces or Invisalign?
Both straighten teeth. Invisalign is nearly invisible and removable but only works if you wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. Braces are often better for complex movements and for anyone who would struggle to wear aligners consistently. We will tell you honestly which suits your teeth.
Am I too old for braces?
No. Teeth can be moved at any age, as long as your teeth and gums are healthy. Many of our orthodontic patients are adults.
What can’t I eat with braces?
Hard, sticky and chewy foods: nuts, hard candy, popcorn, caramel, gum and ice, and biting straight into apples or corn on the cob. Cut them up or avoid them, because they break brackets and bend wires.
Does insurance cover braces?
Many PPO plans include orthodontic coverage with a separate lifetime maximum, often only for patients under 19. We check your plan before you decide.
Do I need a retainer after braces?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back for years after braces come off. You wear retainers full time at first and then usually at night only, for as long as you want your teeth to stay straight.