START WITH WHAT MATTERS TO YOU
You do not need to choose the appliance before the consultation.
Some patients care most about appearance. Others want a fixed appliance, are interested in treatment efficiency, or simply want to know why their bite feels off. Start with the goal that sounds most like you.
DISCREET & REMOVABLE
I want a clear-aligner option
Clear aligners use a planned series of removable trays. Bright Smiles offers several systems, including Lumyra, Invisalign®, ClearCorrect and SureSmile®, so the brand can follow the clinical plan rather than define it.
FIXED APPLIANCE
I want braces
Modern braces use brackets and wires to guide tooth movement without depending on remembering to wear removable trays. They remain an important option for children, teens and adults.
FASTER FIXED-BRACE CONCEPT
I’m interested in Fastbraces®
Fastbraces® is a distinct fixed-brace system designed around a different bracket-and-wire approach. Treatment time varies by case, so candidacy and expected timing should be discussed after evaluation.
ORTHODONTICS THROUGH DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE
The goals may change with age. The need for a thoughtful bite evaluation does not.
Growth, tooth eruption, esthetic priorities, hygiene, work or school schedules and long-term restorative needs can all change how orthodontic treatment is planned.
CHILDREN
Growth & development
An orthodontic screening can identify crowding, eruption concerns, jaw relationships and bite patterns while growth is still occurring. Early evaluation does not automatically mean early treatment; sometimes observation is the right plan.
TEENS
Function, confidence & routines
Teen treatment may use braces, clear aligners or another approach depending on the bite, tooth movement needed and the patient’s ability to follow wear and hygiene instructions.
ADULTS
Alignment within a bigger dental plan
Adults may seek orthodontics for esthetics, function, relapse after earlier treatment, or to create better tooth positions before restorative care. Gum health, existing dental work and long-term goals become part of planning.
WHAT ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT CAN ADDRESS
Alignment is about more than making the front teeth look straight.
Your dentist evaluates the way the upper and lower teeth relate, the amount of space available, tooth positions, periodontal health and the goals you want treatment to accomplish.
Crowding
Teeth may overlap or erupt out of position when available space and tooth size do not align.
Spacing
Gaps may be part of the treatment goal when they affect appearance, function or future restorative planning.
Bite relationships
Overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite and other relationships require individualized diagnosis rather than appliance-first treatment.
Relapse & shifting
Teeth can move after earlier orthodontics or over time. Retention history and current tooth positions help guide the next step.
CLEAR ALIGNERS ARE A CATEGORY—NOT A SINGLE BRAND
We choose the system after we understand the movement we are trying to create.
Bright Smiles’ Clear Aligners page is the main resource for removable aligner treatment. Invisalign® and ClearCorrect remain useful brand-specific resources, while Lumyra and SureSmile® are additional systems that may be considered depending on the case.
MAIN CATEGORY
Clear Aligners
Learn how removable aligner therapy is planned, what daily wear involves, the role of attachments or refinements when needed, and how the available systems compare.
FIXED OPTIONS
Prefer an appliance you do not remove?
Braces and Fastbraces® stay on the teeth throughout active treatment. That can be useful when a patient prefers a fixed system or when the planned movements are better served by a fixed appliance. For the conventional bracket-and-wire approach, see our Traditional Braces page.
Compare Braces →
Traditional Braces →
Learn about Fastbraces® →
SEE WHAT ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT CAN CHANGE
Orthodontics is a process of controlled tooth movement—not a one-visit cosmetic fix.
See how controlled orthodontic tooth movement can change alignment over time and why treatment is planned as a sequence rather than a one-visit cosmetic change.
The Magic of Orthodontics
A visual introduction to orthodontic tooth movement and why treatment is planned over a sequence of visits.
WHAT THE VIDEO CANNOT DECIDE
Your appliance and timeline still depend on your case.
A video can show the concept of tooth movement, but it cannot determine whether braces, Fastbraces® or clear aligners are best for you. That requires an examination of the teeth, bite and supporting tissues, plus a discussion of your priorities.
FROM CONSULTATION TO RETENTION
The appliance is only one part of orthodontic treatment.
Evaluate
Review alignment, bite, oral health, goals and relevant records or imaging.
Design
Choose a treatment approach and explain expected movement, responsibilities, timing and fees.
Active treatment
Monitor progress and adjust braces or aligner stages as the teeth respond.
Retain
Use the prescribed retainer strategy to help protect the result after active movement is complete.
DURING & AFTER TREATMENT
Orthodontic care continues after the appliance is chosen.
Active treatment is only part of the process. Retention helps protect the result afterward, and knowing what to do when a bracket, wire, aligner or retainer breaks can keep a small problem from disrupting treatment.
AFTER ACTIVE TREATMENT
Orthodontic Retainers
Teeth can shift after braces or clear aligners. Learn about clear removable, Hawley-style and fixed retention, long-term wear, fit checks and replacement.
WHEN SOMETHING BREAKS OR HURTS
Orthodontic Emergency Care
Loose bracket, poking wire, damaged aligner or broken retainer? See what can usually be managed temporarily and what needs prompt professional attention.
PERSONALIZED ORTHODONTIC CARE
Treatment should fit the bite, the patient and the larger dental plan.
Care with Dr. Sangita Venkatesh, BDS, DMD, MSc
Dr. Sangita Venkatesh provides orthodontic care as part of Bright Smiles’ comprehensive dental services. Planning can account for restorative needs, periodontal health and other dental treatment rather than looking at tooth alignment in isolation.
Specific appliance selection, treatment timing and provider availability are confirmed during consultation.
Insurance & financial planning
We accept your insurance and will help you maximize your available benefits. Orthodontic benefits vary by plan, age limits and lifetime maximums.
Our team can review estimated fees, available benefits and payment or financing options before treatment begins.
START WITH AN ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION
Tell us what you want to change about your smile or bite.
Use the form to start a conversation about braces, Fastbraces® or clear aligners. You can also book your preferred Bright Smiles office directly.
Prefer to schedule now?
Submitting the form starts a conversation with the Bright Smiles team. Treatment recommendations are made after clinical evaluation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Orthodontics questions patients ask
The right appliance and timeline depend on the individual case.
How do I know whether braces or clear aligners are better for me?
The decision depends on the movements needed, bite, oral health, age or growth considerations, esthetic priorities and how reliably removable aligners can be worn. A consultation is the right place to compare them.
Do you provide orthodontic care for adults?
Yes. Adult treatment may address crowding, spacing, bite concerns, relapse after earlier treatment or tooth positioning needed before other dental work.
Do children always need treatment as soon as an orthodontic concern is found?
No. An early evaluation can identify growth, eruption or bite concerns, but observation may be appropriate until the timing is more favorable.
What clear-aligner systems does Bright Smiles offer?
Bright Smiles offers clear-aligner options including Lumyra, Invisalign®, ClearCorrect and SureSmile®. The appropriate system depends on the treatment plan and individual case.
What is Fastbraces®?
Fastbraces® is a fixed orthodontic system with a distinct bracket-and-wire design. Some cases may be completed in a shorter time, but treatment length varies and should not be promised before evaluation.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Timing varies widely based on the starting bite, amount and type of movement, appliance, growth, biological response and cooperation with treatment instructions.
Will braces or aligners hurt?
Temporary pressure or soreness can occur when teeth begin moving or after adjustments. The experience varies by patient and appliance.
Can clear aligners treat every orthodontic problem?
No single appliance is best for every case. Clear aligners can address many alignment problems, while some movements or bite relationships may be better managed with braces, auxiliaries or another approach.
Will I need a retainer after treatment?
Retention is a normal part of orthodontic care because teeth can shift after active movement. Your dentist will recommend a retainer plan based on your treatment and risk of relapse.
Can I start orthodontics if I have cavities or gum problems?
Active disease usually needs to be addressed before or alongside orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth and supporting tissues are important before controlled tooth movement.
Does insurance help with orthodontic treatment?
Benefits vary by plan. We accept your insurance and will help you maximize your available benefits. Our team can review plan information and estimated patient responsibility before treatment.
Which Bright Smiles location should I choose?
Choose the office that works best for your schedule and treatment needs. Provider and appliance availability can be confirmed when you schedule.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Ready to compare your orthodontic options?
Schedule an orthodontic consultation at Cumming, Lawrenceville or Dawsonville and we can help you compare braces, Fastbraces® and clear aligners.
Cumming • Lawrenceville • Dawsonville