BRACES
The More You Put In, the More You Get Out.
Braces are one of the most effective orthodontic tools we have. What makes the difference isn't the brackets. It's the partnership.
5.0 Stars · Nearly 400 Google Reviews
Board-Certified Orthodontist
Serving Charleston Since 1984
Best of Charleston · 6 Consecutive Years
WHY BRACES STILL MATTER
Precision, Control and Proven Results.
Braces have been refining smiles for decades, and for good reason. They give us precise, reliable control over tooth movement across a wide range of clinical situations, from straightforward alignment to complex bite correction. Today's brackets are smaller, more comfortable, and more accurate than anything that came before them.
We use 3M brackets, an American-made system trusted for its quality and consistency. We offer both traditional metal brackets and ceramic or clear brackets for patients who prefer a less visible option.
Whether braces or clear aligners are right for you depends on your specific clinical situation, your lifestyle, and what you're willing to commit to. We'll give you an honest recommendation at your consultation, and we'll explain exactly why.
BRACES OR ALIGNERS
Which Is Better?
This is one of the most common questions we hear, and we love it because it means patients are engaged in their own care.
Here's the honest answer. Both braces and Spark clear aligners can produce excellent results. The difference often comes down to the patient.
Clear aligners work beautifully for patients who are genuinely committed to wearing them. And that commitment matters more than most people realize before they start. Aligners need to be worn for the same number of hours that braces are doing their work, because biology doesn't negotiate. The tooth movement requires the time. Skipping wear doesn't delay results. It erases them.
Some movements are also more efficiently achieved with braces, and there are excellent auxiliary tools that can bridge the gap in aligner treatment when needed. We'll tell you which approach gives you the best path to the outcome you're after.
There's no wrong answer. There's only the right tool for your situation and your commitment level. We figure that out together.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TREATMENT
What Treatment Actually Looks Like
Getting started
Placing braces is straightforward and typically takes about an hour to ninety minutes. Your teeth will feel different immediately, and within a day or two of your first appointment and each subsequent adjustment, you may notice some soreness as your teeth begin to respond to gentle pressure. This is normal, it's short-lived, and it's a sign that things are working.
A few days of mild discomfort, and then daily life returns to normal. Most patients are surprised by how quickly they adjust.
Living with braces
There are no restrictions on how you live your life with braces. Play your sport. Sing in your show. Go to your events. Distraction is actually one of the best parts of getting used to a new appliance. The busier you stay, the less you think about them.
We do ask that you take care of what you eat, avoiding anything that could bend a wire or dislodge a bracket, and that you stay committed to your oral hygiene routine throughout treatment. Your general dentist remains your partner for cleanings during this time, and keeping those appointments protects everything we're building together.
Adjustments
You'll see us regularly throughout treatment, typically every six to eight weeks. Each visit is an opportunity for Dr. Bullwinkel to assess your progress, make adjustments, and keep your treatment moving in the right direction. She reviews every case personally at every visit and will tell you directly where you stand.
BRACES IS A TEAM SPORT
It Takes a Team to Create Your Best Smile
Every patient who sits in that chair is trusting us with something that matters to them, and we don't take that lightly.
But orthodontic treatment is not something we do to you. It's something we do with you. The brackets and wires do their job when you do yours: keeping your teeth clean, wearing your elastics if prescribed, showing up to your appointments, and staying engaged in your own progress.
"It is a privilege to do this work."
The patients who get the most out of treatment are the ones who put the most in. We are here every step of the way to support that effort.
"We can all do hard things."
Keeping Teeth Clean
Consistent oral hygiene keeps your smile healthy during treatment.
Wearing Elastics
Elastics are often critical for bite correction and long-term stability.
Staying Consistent
Showing up to appointments and following instructions makes a real difference.
Shared Responsibility
Orthodontic treatment is something we do with you, not to you.
AFTER BRACES — KEEPING YOUR SMILE
Protecting Your Result for Life
Everything in life requires maintenance, and your smile is no different. Finishing treatment is a milestone worth celebrating. Protecting that result is the commitment that makes it last.
Teeth are living structures. Without retention, they will shift. It's not a flaw in the treatment. It's biology.
Our standard recommendation includes a fixed retainer bonded to the back of the lower front teeth, which does its job invisibly and without any effort on your part, paired with a removable upper retainer worn as directed. Retention plans can be tailored depending on your specific situation, including upper fixed retainers and a variety of bite guard options for patients who need them.
Retainers Protect Results
Teeth naturally shift without retention.
Fixed Lower Retainer
An invisible bonded wire behind the lower front teeth.
Upper Retainer
A removable retainer worn as directed to maintain results.
Smile Assurance
We offer Smile Assurance, our retainer program that provides five retainers per year for five years following treatment. Retainers get lost. Kids leave them on lunch trays. Life happens. Smile Assurance means a missing retainer never becomes a reason for your smile to shift. It's our way of making sure the work we did together lasts.
Ready To Get Started?
Your complimentary consultation is the right first step. We'll evaluate your situation, walk you through your options, and give you an honest recommendation with no pressure and no rush.