Braces

Do you or your child have dental alignment issues that simplified orthodontic treatments like Invisalign® can't correct?

Orthodontist Amer Shammaa helps teens and adults enhance their smiles with both metal and tooth-colored ceramic braces.

Find out why patients throughout Lake in the Hills, IL, recommend Dr. Shammaa for braces treatment.

The Benefits of Choosing Dr. Shammaa For Braces and Other Orthodontics

A Focus on Orthodontics

Dr. Shammaa is an orthodontist. Some types of orthodontic treatment are available from general dentists, but when you choose Dr. Shammaa, your smile benefits from a practitioner focused exclusively on the alignment of the teeth and jaws. He is equipped to handle cases both minor and complex.

Metal and Tooth-Colored Ceramic Braces

Although clear, removable aligners such as Invisalign are incredibly popular (and available here to the right candidates), traditional braces are often a better orthodontic solution in more pronounced cases of dental misalignment. But that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice discretion. Although we provide metal braces, we also offer ceramic braces that can blend in with your teeth for a less noticeable treatment.

Treatment for Teens and Adults

Has your dentist told you that your child needs braces? Are you wanting to do something about your own malocclusion? Do you want to seek treatment for both yourself and your child? Dr. Shammaa in Lake in the Hills has you covered. He is experienced in helping patients of all ages meet their needs and achieve their goals.

Metal and Ceramic Braces

Illustrated comparison of ceramic and metal braces — Both metal and ceramic braces correct misaligned teeth to create beautiful smiles. Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets (and often, clear wires) to blend in with the teeth. However, they cannot tolerate the same force as metal braces and may not be the right orthodontic treatment for everyone.

Experts recommend that children have their first orthodontic appointment at age 7.

Let's Find the Right Solution for You!

Dr. Shammaa's singular focus on orthodontics can help you say goodbye to that urge to hide your teeth when you laugh or smile. He can also help reduce those cavities that keep developing between checkups. That's right - it's not just about having a better-looking smile. Braces can actually make it easier to brush and floss your teeth in all those hard-to-reach places.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that kids undergo an orthodontic consultation by age seven. If that time is drawing near, we would love to start helping you and your child plan for a lifetime of beautiful, properly aligned teeth. Of course, if you are interested in straightening your own teeth, we are here to help you with that, too. You can request a consultation online or give our Lake in the Hills, IL, office a call:

(847) 854-0011

Let's Book My Appointment!

Our orthodontist and his team in Lake in the Hills, IL, welcome you!

"Definitely recommend this place for your braces!" Hear From Our Five-Star Reviews

All three of my kids used them. Always on time, super clean, friendly staff. We love Annie. Just got braces off my youngest and all.3 kids have perfect teeth! Highly HIGHLY recommend!

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Definitely recommend this place for your braces! Dr. O'Byrn answered all the questions I had and explains every step he is doing, what he is doing next, and what to expect on my next visit and I appreciate that.

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How Do Braces Work?

To answer this question, let's first take a look at the components that make up your braces. Although there are many different tools that can be used as part of treatment with braces, these are the essentials:

Your orthodontist will periodically tighten the archwires in order to maintain teeth movement. Every patient is different, but this is typically done about every four to 10 weeks, depending on your needs. The average braces timeline is 16 to 18 months, but can take up to two years. During your appointment with your orthodontist at his Lake in the Hills, IL, office, he can provide you with an estimated timeline based on the state of your teeth.

Caring for Your Teeth and Braces

Maintaining your teeth and braces during orthodontic treatment is more of a process than you are probably used to, but it's important to remember that with the right technique and a solid commitment, you stand to benefit from the results of orthodontics for the rest of your life. Here's what you'll need to do after every meal and before bed:

Prepare Your Braces

Any removable parts of your braces should be taken off. Our orthodontist takes time to teach patients how to do this properly.

Brush Your Braces

Clean around the braces by holding your brush at a 45-degree angle, starting above the wire and then moving below. Be careful to clean all the way around the hardware on your dental arch.

Brush Your Teeth

Hold the brush against the gumline at a 45-degree angle, then move in small circles while applying light pressure. All teeth should get about 10 seconds of attention each.

Floss between Your Teeth

This requires special floss and, in some cases, special tools to make sure you can clean thoroughly between your teeth.

Rinse

Rinse out your mouth and then give your teeth a quick look in the mirror to make sure you didn't miss anything obvious.

Although this may sound like a real hassle, the truth is that you will work up to a point where you can do it quickly without rushing or leaving any harmful plaque or bacteria behind. Our Lake in the Hills, IL, practice is with you every step of the way to make sure you achieve the best possible results of orthodontic treatment.

Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces

When wearing braces, soft foods like yogurt, pasta, rice, soup, and mashed potatoes are always great choices. However, certain foods can damage your hardware and delay tooth movement. In order to keep your hardware intact and your treatment on track, avoid:

Sticky Foods

Including:

Gum
Taffy
Candy Bars
Caramels

Crunchy Foods

Including:

Taco Shells
Potato Chips
Crackers
Pretzels

Hard Foods

Including:

Nuts
Ice
Jawbreakers
Beef Jerky

Foods Requiring Special Care

If you're afraid you won't be able to indulge in anything delicious while wearing braces, rest assured, that's not the case! It's just a matter of avoiding using your front teeth to bite into foods, and knowing when to cut certain foods into very small pieces. When you keep these guidelines in mind, you can absolutely enjoy:

Pizza
Sandwiches
Hamburgers
Fresh Fruit
Raw Vegetables
Dinner Rolls

Dr. Shammaa will give you detailed instructions to make sure you know how to keep yourself nourished (and enjoy yourself in the process) without having to risk damaging your braces or interrupting tooth movement.