Did you know there are several options for people who need braces today? And, it’s not just children or teens that get them either. Adults get braces all the time. If you’ve ever thought about getting your teeth straightened, and you wanted to know more about the process, keep reading.
Traditional Metal Braces
These braces have been around for a long time. While they used to be referred to as “a mouth full of metal,” they’re a little easier on the eyes these days. And, they’re lighter in weight too. They’re made from a high-grade stainless steel, with metal brackets that attach to each individual tooth using special cement.
The brackets are then linked to each other using a thin archwire. This puts pressure on the teeth and causes them to slowly move into the correct position according to the dentist’s recommendations.
They take roughly 2 hours to install, and may be worn for several months.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are newer type braces but they work in a similar way as traditional ones. The main difference with these is that the brackets are made from a clear or transparent ceramic material. As a result, they’re less visible to others.
It makes it a more popular choice for adults who need treatment, but don’t want to look like they’re wearing braces. This Manhattan orthodontist cautions, however, that patients who wear ceramics usually find that the elastics will become discolored over time. This can cause marks on the teeth, which is a risk you can discuss with your dentist.
Damon Braces
These types of braces are becoming more popular with orthodontists because they’re gentler and require fewer follow up visits. The braces are self ligating, and they use a slide mechanism instead of the traditional elastic bands to connect the archwires together.
The braces tend to produce faster results too, because the teeth are capable of moving on their own without needing to be manually adjusted. This ultimately causes less friction on the teeth, and movement is less painful.
Finally, patients often find it’s easier to clean their teeth while wearing these braces compared to other types of braces.
Invisalign
While invisalign isn’t the only manufacturer on the market making clear and removable aligners, they’re the first and most popular. This type of brace is a clear aligner that replaces metal or damon braces. They rely on a series of clear plastic aligners that look kind of like mouth guards. The guards are custom-made for every patient, and are replaced every 2 weeks. They are also removable for eating and cleaning, so brushing and eating are easy and there are no dietary restrictions while wearing them.
Clear aligners are recommended for ongoing retaining of the alignment.
Palatal Expanders
If you suffer from overcrowding teeth, you have a few options. First, you can have teeth extracted. Second, you can get a palatal expansion.
The expansion process involves inserting hardware into your mouth which will apply pressure to the back of your palate, near your molars – moving them farther apart. It expands your palate and makes it possible for other types of braces to be fitted so you can correct the alignment of your teeth.
Abbie Ingram is studying to become an orthodontist. Inspired to go down this career path when she had braces at age 12, she enjoys writing articles on the topic in her spare time.
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