Lewisville NC Braces: What Are Braces? A Straightforward Explanation

Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances that use brackets bonded to each tooth, a thin archwire, and small elastics to guide teeth into better positions. Lewisville NC braces come in two main styles at Bisig + Chermak + Rudnicke Orthodontics: metal braces and clear braces. Both apply steady, gentle pressure that moves teeth over roughly 12 to 24 months.

Here's what's happening under the surface. That light, continuous pressure signals the bone around each root to remodel, so bone dissolves slightly on one side and rebuilds on the other. Teeth shift into place a little at a time. It's biology doing the work, not force.

Your options at Bisig + Chermak + Rudnicke Orthodontics include:

• Metal braces: the gold (ha-ha) standard, stronger and more comfortable than the versions your parents wore.
• Clear braces: tooth-colored ceramic brackets that blend with your natural enamel for a lower-profile look.

How do braces compare to Invisalign clear aligners? Braces stay on your teeth around the clock and handle the trickiest movements, while Invisalign uses removable trays that work best when you wear them faithfully. It's all about options, and Dr. Bisig, Dr. Chermak, and Dr. Rudnicke will walk you through both.

Braces correct a long list of orthodontic issues, including:

• Crowding and overlapping teeth
• Gaps and spacing
• Overbite and underbite
• Crossbite and open bite
• Rotated or tipped teeth

Benefits of Braces for Lewisville Patients

Braces deliver three standout benefits. They correct the widest range of orthodontic issues, from severe crowding to significant bite correction. They work around the clock without depending on anyone's memory or willpower. And clear braces provide that same fixed-bracket strength in a discreet package. Straighter teeth also clean more easily and wear more evenly over a lifetime.

Braces remain the most versatile treatment in orthodontics, and for many Lewisville families they're the most direct route to a healthy, balanced bite. They work for kids, teens, and adults, they don't rely on willpower, and they finish cases that other options simply can't.

Why so many Lewisville smile seekers choose braces:

• Widest treatment range. Severe crowding, stubborn rotations, impacted teeth, and significant bite correction all respond well to fixed appliances.
• No compliance required. Braces work 24 hours a day, whether you remember them or not. For busy middle schoolers, that's a big deal.
• A discreet option exists. Clear braces give adults and working professionals a subtle look without giving up the strength of fixed brackets.
• Easier cleaning long term. Straight teeth have fewer tight overlaps where plaque hides, which lowers the risk of decay and gum disease down the road.
• Better bite mechanics. When your teeth meet evenly, you reduce uneven wear on enamel, jaw strain, and awkward chewing.
• Real confidence. Teens smile bigger in yearbook photos. Adults stop covering their mouths in meetings. That shift matters.

One more benefit: predictability. Because brackets stay put, Dr. Bisig, Dr. Chermak, and Dr. Rudnicke can fine-tune tooth position with precision at every visit, which keeps treatment on schedule.

Straight teeth are a health decision as much as a cosmetic one. We just happen to think the confidence boost is a pretty great side effect.

Getting Braces in Lewisville, NC: Your Treatment Process Step by Step

Getting braces in Lewisville, NC follows five steps: a free consult with digital records, a personalized treatment plan review, a bonding visit where brackets and the archwire go on, adjustment visits every six to eight weeks, and finally debonding with retainers. Most treatment wraps up somewhere between one and two years from start to finish.

Step 1: Your Free Consult

You'll meet your orthodontic expert, get a clinical exam, and have digital photos and low-dose X-rays taken. Nothing is rushed. We look at tooth position, jaw growth, airway, and bite before saying a word about appliances.

Step 2: Reviewing Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Next, we lay out the whole picture: which appliance fits your case, how long treatment should take, what results to expect, and what it costs. You'll also hear your easy financing options before you commit to anything.

Step 3: The Bonding Visit

This is the day your braces go on. Each bracket is bonded to the front of a tooth, then the archwire is threaded through and secured. Plan on 45 to 90 minutes in the chair, and bring a playlist.

Step 4: Adjustment Visits

You'll see us every six to eight weeks so we can change wires, adjust elastics, and keep teeth moving on schedule. These visits are short. Many Lewisville families schedule them around school pickup or a lunch break.

Step 5: Debonding and Retainers

Off come the brackets, then we polish every tooth smooth and deliver your retainers the same week. Retainers hold everything exactly where we put it.

What to expect for comfort

Teeth usually feel tender for about three to five days after bonding and for a day or two after adjustments. Soft foods, cold drinks, and orthodontic wax handle most of it. That tenderness fades as your mouth adapts.

Are You a Candidate for Braces?

Most smile seekers qualify for braces. Candidacy rests on healthy gums and healthy supporting bone rather than age, so anyone from roughly age seven through adulthood can be treated. Nearly every orthodontic issue responds to fixed brackets, including crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and rotated teeth. Any cavities are treated first.

Healthy gums and supporting bone matter far more than birthdays, which is why we treat second graders and grandparents in the same week. There's no age limit on amazing smiles.

Children (ages 7 to 10)

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. At that age, kids have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, so we can spot crossbites, crowding, and jaw growth concerns early. Early evaluation doesn't always mean early treatment.

Teens (ages 11 to 16)

This is the classic window. Permanent teeth are erupting, jaw growth is still active, and teeth respond quickly.

Adults

No upper age limit, as long as your gums and bone are healthy. Clear braces make this an easy yes for a lot of professionals around Lewisville and Clemmons.

Braces tend to be the stronger choice when you have:

• Severely rotated or tipped teeth
• Impacted teeth that need to be guided into place
• Complex bite correction involving elastics
• A schedule (or a kid) where remembering to wear trays isn't realistic

Before we start, we'll want:

Healthy gums and a real commitment to brushing and flossing around brackets.

Braces vs. Invisalign Clear Aligners

A note on cost: fees for both options depend on case complexity, the appliance you choose, and how long treatment runs, and in many situations the two land in a similar range. You'll get exact numbers in writing at your free consult.

Dr. Bisig is a Diamond+ Invisalign provider, so if aligners are the better fit for you, you're in expert hands either way.

Why Families Near Lewisville Choose Bisig + Chermak + Rudnicke Orthodontics

We've been your friendly neighborhood orthodontist for over 35 years, caring for neighbors and friends across Forsyth County. Families near Lewisville come to us because we offer every option, explain every number, and treat you like family. That's family serving family.

What sets Bisig + Chermak + Rudnicke Orthodontics apart:

• Years of specialty training. Each orthodontic expert here completed 11 years of training: four years of college, four years of dental school, and three years of orthodontic residency. Out of 100 dental school graduates, on average only six become orthodontists.
• Credentials that go deeper. Dr. Nic Bisig is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. David Chermak holds a Master's degree in orthodontics. Dr. Paul Rudnicke completed his residency at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Samantha Seitz also treats families here.
• Every option under one roof. Metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners, all planned by the same orthodontic experts.
• A free consult with no obligation. You'll leave with a clear treatment estimate, not a sales pitch.
• Easy financing and insurance coordination. We handle the paperwork and build payment plans that fit real family budgets.
• Recognition from our neighbors. Winston-Salem Journal Readers' Choice Winner in 2024 and Readers' Choice Favorite in 2025.
• Convenient locations. Four orthodontic homes, including our Clemmons office just minutes from Lewisville.

Dr. Rudnicke says it best: just good enough is never good enough, excellence is always the goal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Lewisville, NC

Most braces treatment takes 12 to 24 months, costs vary based on case complexity and insurance, and no referral is needed to see an orthodontic expert in North Carolina. Below are the questions Lewisville families ask us most often during their free consult at Bisig + Chermak + Rudnicke Orthodontics.

How much do braces cost in Lewisville, NC?

Cost depends on how complex your case is, which appliance you choose, and how long treatment runs. Most dental insurance plans include an orthodontic benefit, and we apply it directly to your balance. We also offer easy financing with monthly payments and a down payment that works for your budget. You'll get an exact number at your free consult, before you decide anything.

How long do braces take?

Average treatment runs 12 to 24 months. Mild crowding or spacing can finish faster, while significant bite correction or impacted teeth take longer. Your growth, your cooperation with elastics, and keeping your adjustment visits all affect the timeline.

Do braces hurt?

Braces don't hurt going on. Teeth usually feel tender for three to five days afterward as they start to move, and slightly sore for a day or so after adjustments. Soft foods, cold water, orthodontic wax, and over-the-counter relief handle it well. Most kids are back to normal eating within a week.

What foods should I avoid with braces?

Skip anything hard, sticky, or chewy that can pop a bracket or bend a wire. That means whole nuts, ice, hard candy, caramel, taffy, popcorn kernels, and crusty bread. Cut apples and carrots into pieces instead of biting straight in, and go easy on sugary drinks.

Are clear braces as effective as metal braces?

Yes. Clear braces move teeth using the same brackets-and-archwire mechanics as metal braces, just with translucent ceramic brackets that match your enamel. Ceramic is slightly more brittle than stainless steel and typically costs a bit more. We'll talk through whether your specific case is a good fit for clear brackets.

Can adults get braces?

Absolutely. Healthy gums and bone matter far more than age, and adults often move teeth just as predictably as teens. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, roughly one in four orthodontic patients is an adult. Clear braces and Invisalign make adult treatment discreet.

Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?

No. North Carolina doesn't require a dental referral to see an orthodontic expert, so you can book directly with us. Many families come to us on their dentist's recommendation, and we're glad to coordinate with your general dentist throughout treatment.

Will I need a retainer after braces?

Yes, and this part is not optional. Teeth naturally drift throughout life, so retainers hold your results in place. Most people wear them full time briefly, then switch to nightly wear long term. Think of a retainer as the insurance policy on everything you just accomplished.

Schedule Your Free Braces Consult in Lewisville

Ready to find your smile today? Booking your free consult takes about a minute online at smileland.com/free-consult, or you can call us at (336) 760-1491 and talk to a real person.

Your visit includes:

• A full exam with Dr. Bisig, Dr. Chermak, Dr. Rudnicke, or Dr. Seitz
• Digital photos and low-dose X-rays
• A review of every option: metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners
• A clear cost breakdown with insurance and easy financing spelled out

We keep after-school slots open for students and early-morning times for working adults. No pressure, no obligation, and you'll leave knowing exactly what comes next.

Our orthodontic homes in Winston-Salem (two convenient locations), Clemmons, and King welcome smile seekers of all ages from Lewisville and across Forsyth County. Come see why we say it: live your best smile.