Smile Arc Protection

Plain and simple, the goal of braces is to straighten your teeth. Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Ortiz want to elevate your orthodontic treatment experience with a smile that also looks natural, full, and confident! That is where Smile Arc Protection comes in.

To explain what Smile Arc Protection (often referred to as SAP) is, let’s first talk about what the “smile arc” actually is. The smile arc is when the edges of your top teeth follow the curve of your lower lip. The ideal natural smile arc has full teeth display with curvature parallel to the curvature of the lower lip. However, with traditional bracket placement a flat or reversed smile arc can result, since it prioritizes function and straightness over facial aesthetics.

Why are my braces up so high?

Smile Arc Protection/Vertical Incisor Display is an advanced orthodontic technique that prevents a flat smile arc and creates beautiful, broad smiles. The goal with this technique is to have a full, curved smile with 100% vertical display of the upper incisors and anywhere from 10-12 teeth visible.

Compared to traditional bracket placement in which the brackets are often placed right in the middle of each tooth, SAP bracket placement is higher up on the teeth, closer to the gums. This small change allows the wire to naturally curve more, which in turn enhances the natural arc of your smile and increased tooth display.

Natural Smile Arc

Flat or Reversed Smile Arc

• Great Improved Aesthetics: The SAP technique helps create a more natural, appealing smile by enhancing the curve of the top teeth to follow the shape of the lower lip. Instead of ending up with a flat smile, SAP preserves the curved smile arc that is often associated with a more youthful appearance. It also enhances the visibility of the upper teeth, especially when smiling or speaking.
• Better Control of Axial Inclination: This means better control of the angle at which your teeth sit in your mouth. With the SAP bracket placement, the tilt of each tooth can be precisely guided. This improves the overall harmony of your smile so your teeth don’t look flared out or overly upright at the end of treatment.
• Lines Up the Contact Points: Contact points refer to the specific areas where the surfaces of adjacent teeth touch each other. SAP helps align these points more evenly which means fewer gaps or overlaps and a smoother overall appearance.
• Improves Performance of the Appliance: Because the brackets are placed for the best teeth movement the braces work more efficiently and effectively. This means SAP supports both movement and aesthetics.

Smile Arc Protection can be beneficial for many orthodontic patients, especially those who want a smile that is not only aligned and functions well but also looks naturally balanced and beautiful. This technique of bracket placement is particularly ideal for:

• Patients getting braces for the first time who want a confident, expressive smile from the start.
• Patients who may be concerned about the visual result of treatment, especially those who want subtle, flattering results.
• Patients with naturally flat smile arcs who may want help enhancing their smile shape.

The process for SAP bracket placement is basically the same as with traditional bracket placement. The main difference is where on the teeth the brackets are placed, as explained above. As with any braces treatment plan, you may experience some minor discomfort in your mouth, however this is only temporary. Placing the brackets closer to the gums instead of in the middle of the teeth does not increase gum swelling or irritation. If you maintain good oral hygiene and brush well around the brackets there is no added risk compared to traditional bracket placement.

Every smile is unique and so is every treatment plan! The ideal smile arc varies from person to person based on their facial features, lip shape, and natural tooth position. That’s why Smile Arc Protection is not a one-size-fits-all approach. At RxSmile Frisco Orthodontics you’ll never receive cookie-cutter treatment. Drs. Greenberg and Ortiz carefully adjust the placement of each bracket to suit your specific smile and needs, with the goal of creating the most natural and balanced curve for your smile in the shortest amount of time possible. Leaving you with results that are not only functional, but also naturally beautiful and completely you!