For orthodontic patients who choose to make fashion statements with their mouths, colors are really heating up. From soft pastels that coordinate with a wardrobe to bright hues for celebrating holidays or expressing school spirit, the colors appear on the elastic ties that bind the wires to the brackets.  These ties can be changed when the wires are changed.

While colors for braces are fun, the fun serves a serious purpose, notes Dr. Doug Laliberte, an orthodontist in Rockport, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).  Enthusiastic patients are more apt to follow instructions on oral hygiene and diet.  Good cooperation can yield results that meet everyone’s expectations.

“When patients are involved in their treatment, they may take better care of their braces.  That helps patient and doctor to reach treatment goals and produce a healthy, beautiful smile,” emphasizes Dr. Doug. Patients have a splashy array of hues from which to choose.  “Patients won’t take the time to choose special colors unless they intend to use them,” Dr. Doug  says.

Colors are a hit with countless braces-wearers.  “We make sure we have an ample supply of appropriate colors on hand for upcoming holidays,” says Dr. Doug. Patients can celebrate every time they smile, year-round: red and white for Valentine’s Day; green for St. Patrick’s Day; red, white and blue for July 4;  orange and black for Halloween; green and red for Christmas—or blue and white for Chanukah.

Adults, too, are known to choose different colors when they have their braces adjusted.  For a sports fanatic, it’s a unique way to express loyalty to college or pro teams.

Some patients prefer to be less obvious about their orthodontic treatment. They have a variety of options including tooth-colored brackets; self-ligating brackets, which do not require ties to join the wire to the bracket; braces that go behind the teeth; or Invisalign’s clear aligner trays.

 “Thanks to today’s technology, the materials we orthodontists use to move teeth can range from obvious to almost imperceptible,” notes Dr. Laliberte.

Dr. Doug is a member of the AAO, which has 17,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws (bad bites).  They receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists are eligible for membership in the AAO.

Give us a call to explore your options with us for the beautiful smile you have always wanted. For more information, visit Granite Coast Orthodontics website at www.granitecoastortho.com or give us a call at 207-470-7466. Enjoy your summer.