WildSmiles offers a bit of personality. The bracket faces come in fun shapes so kids can show a little style every time they smile.
Dr. Bowenoffers WildSmiles to patients who want expressive brackets without sacrificing results. Bowen Family Orthodonticsserves the Mullica Hill community with flexible scheduling and a kid-friendly experience. Our teamwill help you understand how the shapes fit into a treatment plan, simple care tips, and smart ways to choose designs your child will still love by picture day.
So, What Are WildSmiles, Exactly?
WildSmilesare stainless steel braces, just like the ones you know, with one twist, which is that the front brackets come in expressive shapes. Your child can mix designs from several collections, including Signature shapes such as stars, hearts, flowers, and footballs, and themed options like Disney icons.
The tooth-moving mechanics stay the same, and orthodontic treatmentgoals do not change. The look simply feels more personal, which keeps many kids more engaged in their care.
How We Use WildSmiles At Bowen Family Orthodontics
We start with a free consultation, then a complete exam and digital records. If WildSmiles fits the plan, we will help your child design a layout before the bonding appointment.
Most families choose shapes for the visible front teeth, then use standard brackets on the side and back teeth that handle heavier chewing forces.
Our team checks that the shapes align with the wires and planned tooth movements, so style never competes with function. We map out estimated timing, home-care steps, and color choices so your child walks out confident about what to do next.
Why Kids Brush Better With WildSmiles
Motivation trumps everything. When kids can see and name each shape, they tend to slow down and clean more carefully around each bracket. WildSmiles also uses a slightly larger pad under the bracket, which helps plaque collect on the pad rather than on exposed enamel, making it easier to protect the tooth surface with consistent brushing. That design supports the habits we coach in our Mullica Hill chair and at home.
Quick Cleaning Routine That Works
Angle the brush 45 degrees to the gumline and sweep around every shape, then brush above and below the wire.
- Add a proxabrush to reach the narrow spots beside each bracket.
- Floss nightly with a threader or a water flosser if string floss stalls your routine.
- Use a disclosing tablet once a week to check for missed areas.
- Finish with a fluoride rinse if your child has a history of early cavities.
Pick Shapes Your Child Will Love Six Months From Now
Parents want fun today, and they want photos they will love later. This approach keeps both in view.
- Choose a theme: Sports kid, music lover, Disney fan, or classic shapes.
- Keep symmetry in mind: Mirror shapes on the left and right front teeth.
- Coordinate colors: Align elastics with school colors for Clearview Regional or a favorite team.
- Plan for events: Pick a seasonal color set near picture day, a recital, or a playoff run at Ella Harris Park.
- Leave room to change: Rotate colors or swap a couple of shapes at a wire change to keep it fresh without redoing everything.
What About Treatment Time And Results?
Parents often worry that shaped brackets slow things down. They do not. WildSmiles uses proven orthodontic mechanics, so we track the same milestones we track with traditional metal braces.
Appointment frequency and home-care expectations stay consistent. Results depend on biology, case complexity, and patient cooperation, not on whether the front brackets are hearts or stars.
Cost, Insurance, And Budget Tips
Fee structure always follows case complexity, not the shape of the bracket. The Bowen Family Orthodonticsteam reviews your options during the consult, outlines orthodontic insurance benefits, and helps you use HSA or FSA funds if available. Many families set up automated monthly payments that track with the expected length of treatment. Bring your benefits card and any prior orthodontic estimates, and we will translate everything into a clear plan that fits your goals.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
Most kids and teens who qualify for braces can choose WildSmiles. The brackets work well for crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
If your child needs special appliances, we can often place WildSmiles on the front teeth and use other appliances elsewhere as needed. Adult patients choose them too, especially for themed events or to keep orthodontics fun while they finish comprehensive treatment.
Real-World Details That Make Life Easier
- Sports and band: We match mouthguard fit around the brackets and review instrument-specific tips at delivery.
- Food choices: Skip very hard or sticky foods, then chew thoughtfully. Cut corn off the cob, slice apples thinly, and keep crunchy treats bite-sized.
- Breakage plan: If a shape or wire comes loose, call us. Save any loose pieces in a small bag and bring them to the visit.
- Color refresh: Ask about seasonal swaps. Changing elastics can make the same shapes feel new again.
WildSmiles FAQ
What age is it appropriate to consider WildSmiles?
Evaluation can start once adult front teeth begin to erupt. Many kids get a first orthodontic check around age sevento spot developing issues early. If treatment is not needed yet, we continue to monitor growth and time things well.
Are clear or ceramic versions available for the shaped brackets?
WildSmiles designs are produced in metal only. If a more subtle look is the priority, we can discuss alternative bracket systems for side teeth while keeping shaped fronts minimal or skipping shapes entirely.
Do the shaped edges irritate lips or cheeks more than standard brackets?
Edges are rounded, and most patients adapt within a few days. Orthodontic wax, a warm saltwater rinse, and a silicone lip guard during the first week help everything feel comfortable quickly.
Can my child keep the same shapes for the entire treatment?
Yes. Most patients choose once and stick with it. Special requests beyond the standard collections may require a short order lead time, so planning near major events, like school portraits or a recital, helps.
Can WildSmiles be used during an early “Phase I” treatment?
Yes, when a limited set of teeth needs orthodontic guidance. We focus on front teeth for visibility and apply the same clinical goals used in any interceptive phase.
Will braces set off airport security or affect MRI scans?
Airport scanners are not a problem. MRI images of the head and neck can show artifacts with any metal braces, so notify the imaging center in advance. Radiology teams know how to plan around orthodontic hardware.
Do certain foods stain the elastics more than others?
Yes. Curry, tomato sauce, and deeply colored beverages can tint clear or light ligatures. Choosing darker ligature colors reduces visible staining between visits.
Book Your WildSmiles Consultation In Mullica Hill
Have questions about shapes or whether your child is a good candidate? Our team at Bowen Family Orthodonticschecks insurance benefits, talks through budget-friendly options, and helps you find a time that fits around school pickup or Clearview Regionalactivities.
Schedule a complimentary consultationto see the shapes in person and test color combos your child will actually like.