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Business & Tech

Brace Yourself

A smile is worth a thousand words, so make yours the best it can be.

January is now a fond memory as are many of the well-intended fitness resolutions that so quickly fall by the wayside. While weight loss is the most common way to effect change; another, less considered, option is braces. Yes, that’s right – braces.

For youngsters orthodontia is a rite of passage.  What was once dreaded news from the dentist is now something many kids consider a welcomed milestone. All of the fun colors and options now make braces the “cool” thing to have.

Adults seeking braces, however, may still experience that self-conscious apprehension that went along with getting braces back in the day. The idea of having a mouthful of metal (recall “Ugly Betty”-ABC television) as an established member of society can be a scary prospect. The good news is that today braces have come a long way and there are many options from which to choose that can be manageable for even the vainest of beauties.

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Braces can be an investment, but one that is often described as “totally worthwhile” when a satisfied customer is able to smile ever so proudly with a straight set of pearly whites. Fixing crooked or protruding teeth can be very liberating - assuring that no smile is held back.

North Andover resident and owner of Bradford Orthodontics, Dr. Thomas Ferlito, is an expert in the art of teeth alignment and has been practicing his trade for 25 years. He was the team orthodontist for the Boston Celtics for almost ten years and is now working directly with Brooks School students as well.

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“Once a patient gets the braces off they leave happy,” said Ferlito. “In 25 years I’ve never had anybody say, ‘Why did I do this?’ They are always thrilled with the change and in some surgical cases we are changing a patient’s whole way of living.”

Whether you are getting braces for the first time or are looking to correct teeth that have shifted over time, there are braces to best suit your case and personal needs. If you are looking to get in and out of your braces as quickly as possible or you want the least visible option, there is a solution for you.

Of course, every patient’s case is different and will require its own evaluation to determine the best course of treatment, however the three most widely applied aligners are:

  1. Traditional metal braces which provide the quickest and most exact results. While this option is visible, the advances in metal banding and wiring are significantly less noticeable than braces of the past.
  2. Clear ceramic braces which are also a great choice if your case allows. These clear brackets bond to the teeth in a similar fashion as traditional braces but are less noticeable.
  3. Invisalign® -these popular clear removable aligners are virtually imperceptible. You will pay a premium for this option and some of the precise corrections that may be achieved through traditional braces may not be attainable.

Whatever option you choose, the end result is sure to make a lasting impression and put a smile on your face.

Dr.Ferlito takes great pride in what he does and works well with even the most timid of clients. He chose to specialize in orthodontics after working with an orthodontist while earning his degree in dentistry.

“Ortho is so much more rewarding,” he said. “I’ve never had a case I couldn’t treat.”

For more information about orthodontia at Bradford Orthodontics, visit www.DrFerlito.com. Bradford Orthodontics is located at 412 South Main St., Bradford, MA 01835, 978-521-6262.

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