Our Friendly Orthodontist in Peru
Is your smile as straight as you would like it to be? Are crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth making you feel self-conscious? At the dental practice of Joseph Kunnel DDS PHD PC, we offer orthodontic solutions to straighten your smile.
We are proud to serve the residents of Peru and the surrounding areas. Our office in Peru makes it convenient to receive the dental care you deserve.
Our team is passionate about providing quality dental care to everyone, which is why we offer in-house financing options. You can enjoy a straighter, healthier smile with our orthodontic treatments. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
CALL US: (815) 223-0204 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Are Orthodontic Treatments?
Orthodontic treatments are designed to address any malocclusions. When your teeth or bite are not aligned properly, you may experience difficulty chewing, which leads to uneven wear on your teeth and possible TMJ disorder. Misalignments also impact your quality of life because you may feel embarrassed by crooked teeth or an overbite or underbite.
The main point of orthodontics is to treat alignment issues of the teeth and jaws, but it often also boosts your self-confidence and quality of life. You're more likely to share your smile when it's straight and you feel good about how it looks.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 Orthodontics
We understand that a smile develops over many years, which is why we offer Phase 1 and Phase 2 orthodontics. Our team provides treatments that you and your child may need to enjoy a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. You can trust that we will treat you and your loved ones with genuine respect and care, regardless of the current state of your oral health.
Phase 1 orthodontics are for our younger patients and are usually completed in their preteen years. Phase 2 orthodontics are available to those who have permanent teeth, which includes teens, adults, and seniors.
Expanders and Spacers: In Phase 1 orthodontics, we use spacers and expanders to help your child's smile develop properly. Expanders gently widen the palette to help their jaw develop correctly. Spacers keep a child's teeth spaced properly, which maintains their bite and allows their permanent teeth to erupt without crowding.
Invisalign® Clear Aligners: We offer Invisalign® clear aligners for mild to moderate malocclusions as a Phase 2 orthodontic treatment. The guidelines for Invisalign are strict and require that you wear the clear trays for 22 hours each day to achieve the desired results. Due to the requirements, we only offer this treatment option to responsible teens and adults.
Traditional Braces: For minor to complex alignment issues, we offer traditional braces. Our office provides both metal and clear ceramic braces to help you achieve your smile goals. We will walk you through any adjustments you or your child may need to make while wearing braces, such as tips for diet and oral hygiene.
Orthodontic FAQs
Accurate information is important to our team, which is why we encourage you to share your questions and concerns. We are happy to provide the answers you need to make an informed decision regarding your treatment plan. Here are some of the most common questions we receive about our orthodontic services.
No. Both traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners may cause some initial discomfort or pressure, but it wears off quickly. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to alleviate any discomfort.
The duration of your treatment is determined by a few factors, including the severity of your bite issue and whether you are faithful to follow the instructions provided by our friendly orthodontist. If you have traditional braces, it is important to wear the rubber bands according to our orthodontist's instructions.
If you have clear aligners, you will need to wear your clear trays for 22 hours each day, only removing them to eat and drink, and change to your next set of trays in the series after about two weeks. In both treatment plans, the process may take anywhere from 6-24 months to complete.
If you have traditional braces, then yes, your diet will need to change during treatment. It is vital that you avoid hard foods like hard candies and nuts as well as sticky foods like caramel, toffee, and gum, which can become lodged in between the wires and stuck to the brackets.
If you have Invisalign, you don't have to change your diet because the trays are removable. This means you may continue to enjoy your favorite foods throughout your treatment.
Our Gentle Orthodontist
You don't have to hide your smile because of crooked or crowded teeth. At the dental practice of Joseph Kunnel DDS PHD PC, we offer the array of orthodontic treatments you need to achieve your smile goals. We combine decades of experience with modern technology and a gentle chairside manner to give you the positive experience and quality dental care you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
CALL US: (815) 223-0204 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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