Shine Orthodontics is your Apex braces expert
We proudly create beautiful new smiles for patients of all ages in Apex and the surrounding communities. The team at Shine Orthodontics is here for you if you are looking for someone you can trust to provide a brilliant and straight smile in the Apex and Holly Springs area. One of the most effective tools we have for achieving optimal tooth and jaw alignment is traditional braces. We’re proud to offer patients a variety of orthodontic options, including traditional metal braces and ceramic braces.
Braces Treatment
Before we put your braces on, our team will collect digital x-rays, photos, and a model of your mouth. Our orthodontists will then use this data to formulate a customized treatment plan based on your particular orthodontic needs. This information will determine how your brackets are places. This data will include information about the movements each tooth needs to make in order to achieve optimal positioning.
A wire is inserted through the brackets once they have been attached to provide customized pressure on all the teeth that need to be moved. Through a process called remodeling, bends in the wire will encourage specific and precise movements of the teeth. This process involves minor changes in the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. When your braces put pressure on a tooth, cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts form around its root. This works together with the wire to create negative pressure on one side of the tooth, where the bone will be removed. On the other side of the tooth, the bone is reformed. This pressure and bone remodeling slowly moves teeth into the correct position.
Remodeling requires constant pressure on the tooth. This means that teeth will begin drifting back towards their old positions over time once your braces are removed. Regular use of a retainer will help prevent this natural drifting and keep teeth in their new and improved positions!
Benefits of Getting Braces at Shine Orthodontics
Braces offer several important benefits for your oral health and quality of life. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, your bite works the way it should, and your confidence gets a real boost. Here's a closer look at what that means for you.
Teeth that line up properly are much easier to keep clean. At Shine Orthodontics, we see this make a real difference for our patients. Your toothbrush and floss can actually reach all the surfaces that need attention, which reduces plaque buildup and lowers your risk of gum disease. That alone makes treatment worth considering.
A confident smile changes how you feel about yourself. Teens heading to school and adults in the workplace both notice the difference. Many of our patients tell us they smile more freely and feel better in social situations after completing treatment. It's one of those things you don't fully appreciate until you experience it.
Bite misalignment can cause issues you might not even realize you have. When your upper and lower teeth don't meet correctly, it can lead to:
- Jaw pain: discomfort and tension headaches that won't quit
- Uneven wear on tooth surfaces, which gets worse over time
- Difficulty chewing certain foods
- Speech issues in some cases
- Jaw or facial soreness often mistaken for stress
You've got options when it comes to Apex braces. Dr. McGrogan offers metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign to fit every lifestyle and preference. Metal braces are lighter and more comfortable than they used to be, while clear braces and Invisalign's removable aligners both give you a less noticeable way to straighten your smile. Whether you want something proven and durable or nearly invisible, there's a fit for you.
The team at Shine Orthodontics in Holly Springs uses technology like the iTero Element scanner to create extremely accurate 3D views of your mouth. This means your treatment plan is precise from day one. You'll be in and out because we stay on-schedule and on-time.
Braces Options
Traditional metal braces can be an affordable option for patients on a budget because they often work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might, potentially shortening your overall treatment time. Today’s braces are better than ever! All of our treatment options are excellent and can correct a variety of simple and complex oral issues. The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional braces are a big part of why they’ve withstood the test of time and are still the top orthodontic treatment year after year.
Metal Braces
The tried-and-true traditional metal braces system is the most common type of braces. They are normally constructed with high-grade stainless steel. These braces work to straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. Today’s metal braces are more comfortable and also more fun than ever because you have the option of choosing colored elastics to add a punch of personality to your treatment! If you prefer a more subtle approach, we also offer clear or tooth-colored elastics.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work the same way metal braces do, so they’re also a good option for straightening your teeth. However, they have the advantage of clear brackets made from a ceramic material. They’re very popular with our older teen and adult patients because they are such a discrete treatment option. We normally won’t recommend them for our younger patients because the brackets tend to be a bit larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts. Ceramic braces tend to be used on the upper front teeth more often than the lower teeth.
You can often see visible signs of improvement relatively quickly when you use traditional braces, which can help increase your confidence in both your smile and the orthodontic process!
Your Braces Treatment: Step-by-Step Treatment Process
Getting Apex braces at our Holly Springs office follows four steps: consultation, placement, progress visits, and removal. Here's what to expect from your first visit through your final reveal.
Step 1: Your Free Consultation
Your first visit to Shine Orthodontics is completely complimentary. Dr. McGrogan and the team will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth, and sometimes we'll use our iTero Element scanner to capture a detailed 3D image of your teeth and gums. After reviewing everything, Dr. McGrogan will discuss your options and create a treatment plan built around your goals. You'll leave knowing exactly what to expect, including a cost estimate and timeline.
Step 2: Braces Placement
This is the appointment where things get real. Dr. McGrogan carefully positions each bracket for optimal results, and most patients are surprised by how quick and easy the whole thing is. Plan for about an hour, and you'll walk out with your new braces ready to go.
Step 3: Regular Progress Visits
Every 4 to 8 weeks, you'll come back to our Apex-area office for adjustment appointments. Dr. McGrogan checks your progress and makes any necessary changes to keep things on track. Our office uses NiTi (nickel-titanium) wire, a material with roots in aerospace engineering, which exerts continuous gentle force against your teeth. That means there's no old-school tightening at each visit, and the process is more comfortable overall.
Step 4: Braces Removal and Retainers
When your teeth reach their final positions, it's time to celebrate! We'll remove your braces and fit you with retainers to keep everything in place while the bone around your teeth stabilizes.
Virtual Appointments Available
Can't make it to the Holly Springs office for every visit? Shine Orthodontics offers virtual appointment options. Check in with Dr. McGrogan from home when an in-person visit isn't necessary.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Braces?
Children, teens, and adults with crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, or crossbites are good candidates for braces. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up by age 7. If your teeth aren't aligned the way you'd like, there's a good chance Apex braces can help.
Early evaluation gives Dr. McGrogan, DMD, MS, the best chance to guide jaw growth, lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth, and address developing issues before they become bigger concerns. For families in Apex and Holly Springs, catching these things early can simplify treatment down the road.
Common issues that braces correct include:
- Crowding: teeth that overlap or twist because there isn't enough room
- Spacing and gaps that affect appearance or function
- Overbite: upper front teeth extending too far over lower teeth
- Underbite or crossbite, where the lower teeth sit in front of or misalign with the upper teeth when biting
Braces at Shine Orthodontics are ideal for patients who want a reliable, proven solution. They work around the clock, so you don't have to remember to wear them (unlike removable aligners). For patients with involved cases requiring significant tooth movement or bite correction, metal braces often deliver the best results.
Not sure which option is right for you? A free consult at Shine Orthodontics is the best way to find out. Dr. McGrogan will examine your teeth, discuss your goals, and recommend the treatment approach that makes the most sense for your situation. We see patients from Apex, Holly Springs, and surrounding areas every week.
Transform your Smile today!
Dr. Rita McGrogan and the rest of our skilled team focus on patients as individuals, no matter the age, personal concerns, or clinical needs. When you choose braces treatment with our practice, We hope to help change your life and smile with our efficient, comfortable care, our leading-edge techniques, and state-of-the-art technology. At Shine Orthodontics, we believe that advanced, personalized care leads to the best results and most positive orthodontic experience. Dr. McGrogan will create a treatment plan that works with all parts of your life.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started with Apex braces!
