Braces & Invisalign | Shelby Township, Novi, & Rochester Hills
Your Smile, Your Way
For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you'll feel more self-confident. But we want you to feel comfortable during your treatment, too!
You and your family can find the latest braces options at Straight Smiles Orthodontics to make your smile transformation fast and affordable to meet your unique goals.
Clear Aligners
Imagine a braces treatment that doesn't use wires or metal brackets, is virtually pain-free, and doesn't require you to change your current lifestyle.
Learn MoreClear Braces
Orthodontic treatment no longer means having a mouth full of metal wires and brackets. Clarity ceramic braces give you an aesthetic alternative to traditional metal braces.
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Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment at Straight Smiles Orthodontics, and they feel more comfortable today than ever.
Learn MoreOrtho for All Ages
Dr. Rafaill believes everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy orthodontic care and a smile they love.
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Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment optimizes tooth straightening through physical and facial changes to give your child a healthy, functional, and aesthetic smile that will last for life.
Phase One
Phase One treatment helps the jaw develop to accommodate all permanent teeth and improves how the upper and lower jaws fit together as children grow and develop.
Resting Period
A successful first phase creates room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path. During the resting period, we'll monitor the teeth's progress to determine the plan for Phase Two.
Phase Two
This phase guarantees that every tooth is in the best position to give you a perfectly-functioning smile. Phase Two typically involves full upper and lower braces and starts when all permanent teeth erupt.
Retainers are necessary after this phase to ensure your child retains their beautiful smile.
Carriere Appliance
The Carriere appliance is an orthodontic tool Dr. Rafaill uses to correct class two and three bite issues. A class two bite is when the lower first molar is more toward the back of the mouth than the upper first molar, a condition commonly known as an overbite.
A class three bite is the opposite—the lower first molar is more toward the front than the upper first molar and appears as an underbite.
A Carriere appliance can start the process of readjusting your teeth using forces similar to traditional headgear.
We'll start by creating an anchor point to which your Carriere will be attached. An elastic band is attached to the upper teeth on either side of your mouth. You'll wear this at all times unless you're eating.
Dr. Rafaill will use braces or Invisalign after the Carriere Appliance to finish the straightening process and give you a smile you’ll love.
Twin Block Therapy
Twin block therapy is a process that pushes the lower jaw forward to align with the lower jaw. The device has two parts that work together to achieve the best results for your smile.
We typically use twin block therapy between ages ten and twelve when a child’s bones are still developing, and we can easily guide them into the best positions.
Hilgers Appliance
A Hilgers pendulum appliance is used in molar distalization, an orthodontic process that shifts the molars in the arch to align the bite. Hilgers appliances are especially useful to correct class two bites.
Palatal Expanders
Expansion appliances are small devices Dr. Rafaill attaches to the upper molars through bonding or cementing bands. We use Hyrax and Schwartz expanders to increase the width of the upper jaw, a treatment most common in children.
Palatal expanders apply pressure to the maxillary bones as they grow to separate them and create adequate space in the jaw. The device has a small screw in the center that you’ll turn a little bit each day to activate the expander and widen the jaw.
Sleep Apnea
Do you get drowsy quickly without any explanation? Have you started snoring loudly or waking up breathless in the middle of the night for no reason?
If you have any of these symptoms, you may have a condition known as sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans and can be a severe condition. You can control sleep apnea by working with a sleep specialist who can prescribe safe and effective treatments.
TMJ/TMD Treatment
Temporomandibular disorder is a condition where the joints in your jaw become sore and movement is restricted. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic face and neck pains as well as recurring headaches.
These can all be signs of a TMD/TMJ condition that may require treatment. Dr. Rafaill can help.
All About Mouthguards
Protecting your smile while playing sports is essential when you have braces. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends wearing a mouthguard if you participate in any contact sport.
Sports-related injuries to the mouth and jaw are some of the most common injuries incurred by athletes. We aim to help minimize your chances of a sports-related injury to your smile. Ask your doctor about mouthguards at your next appointment — GO, TEAM!
Herbst Appliance
Aside from the obvious benefits of orthodontic treatment, like increased confidence and ease of hygiene, another benefit is not so obvious: improved jaw function. If your child has an overbite, simple treatment with braces will not correct the problem.
We use the Herbst appliance in conjunction with braces to help the lower jaw develop in a forward direction, leading to an ideal bite. Left untreated, an improper bite may threaten the long-term health of your child's teeth, gums, and jaw.
A Herbst appliance is fixed to your child's molars. It includes a metal tube that connects the upper and lower jaw. By adjusting the tube, Dr. Rafaill can control the jaw's position in relation to the upper teeth.
Typical treatment time with a Herbst appliance is 12 months, though this will vary depending on your child's unique needs.