Dental braces are appliances which are used to align or straighten the teeth and guide the teeth to the corrected position. They are made up of wires, brackets, and bands. Braces aid to correct irregular teeth positioning, jaw correction, improvement in chewing and smile aesthetics. Your dentist is the best person to guide on treatment options and modalities depending upon dentition.
The major reason for getting Braces on is to improve the facial appearance, what people do not know is that there are any other implications which require orthodontic treatment like open bite, jaw structure, crossbite etc.
Dental braces are appliances which are used to align or straighten the teeth and guide the teeth to the corrected position. They are made up of wires, brackets, and bands. Braces aid to correct irregular teeth positioning, jaw correction, improvement in chewing and smile aesthetics. Your dentist is the best person to guide on treatment options and modalities depending upon dentition.
This is a stage where adult teeth or permanent teeth replace primary teeth which aid in appearance, speech, and digestion. During this phase, people can face many issues which can be corrected by Braces. These issues include:
This is a stage when one has a combination of both primary and permanent teeth in the mouth is called Mixed Dentition. Wearing Braces in this stage cure the following problems:
Every individual is different. Orthodontic treatment can be started as young as 7 years old. There is no upper limit in terms of age for Braces. If you have good oral health and firm teeth, you can get braces at any age. There is various kind of orthodontic treatment available for all ages.
Metal Conventional Braces:
These are the traditional and most common type of braces. The metal braces used today are
much more comfortable and smaller in size. These require elastics which come in a variety of
colors to tie the wire to the braces. The wires use your body heat to move teeth more
quickly and less painfully. There is no age limit attached to these, as patients of all ages
can choose to straighten their teeth using metal braces.
Metal Self Ligating Braces
These are metal Brackets with a shutter or lock system and do not require the use of elastic
to tie the wire. In comparison to traditional metal braces, metal self-ligating braces are
more comfortable and smaller in size. These are helpful in achieving arch expansion and
minimize the need for extraction.
Ceramic Conventional Braces
Ceramic braces are the ones with clear brackets. They use tooth color and blends more
naturally with your teeth. The shape and size are the same as metal braces. These are less
visible on the teeth and as a result, are preferred by older teenagers and adults who might
have aesthetic concerns. Sometimes, even the wires used are of tooth color which makes them
less noticeable. Being less prominent, they require more care and protection compared to
metal braces as they are larger and more brittle. They require extra protection, hence, are
used more in upper teeth than lower.
Lingual Braces
Lingual Braces are heavy metal braces which are placed behind the teeth. These metallic
braces can be made even of silver or gold. The individual Bracket is customized using
CAD-CAM / 3D Designing. The treatment is highly aesthetic and less visible. This, however,
can cause mild speech difficulties during the course of the treatment.
Aligners
Clear Aligners are medical grade plastic trays that do not require any braces or wire. They
are totally invisible hence; the aesthetic concerns are duly met and make them very
appealing with adults who need orthodontic treatment. Though placed inside they do not have
any food restrictions associated. People believe that being placed on the inside; they might
face speech difficulties; which is a myth. On the other hand, transparent braces are highly
comfortable and hygienic. Clear Aligners also hide existing gaps.
The cost of braces and aligners completely depends from person to person depending on the teeth alignment & multiple other factors. There is no standardization of charges for braces and aligner treatment. At that first appointment, the dentist will examine you and take a digital scan of your cavity among other things. He or she will be able to offer you an exact estimate of the cost of the braces and aligners along with the duration of treatment based on this information.
DO’S
DON’TS
Do not forget to floss like a boss
Q.1. How Long Does It Take to Put Braces On?
After bonding the dental braces, it takes about 1-2 hours for the process to finish.
Q.2. Are Teeth Extracted for Orthodontic Treatment?
Usually, orthodontists do not recommend tooth extraction for fixing teeth braces. But if
there is a serious crowding issue, one or two teeth need to be removed.
Q.3. What Color Braces Should One Get?
There is a variety of braces available and it depends on the patient getting them. If the
patient wishes so, they can even get transparent/ceramic braces as well. For more
information on what kind of braces will be more suitable for your needs, visit a Dental
specialist at Clove Dental
Q.4. Are Braces Painful?
Getting or having braces is not painful. However, slight discomfort and soreness are usual
after getting them. Apart from this, metal braces may feel to be a little tight after
getting them readjusted on a follow-up visit to the orthodontist.
Q.5. How Long Do One Need to Wear Braces?
The total duration of wearing dental braces depends on multiple factors that include the
condition of teeth and compliance to oral care practices. Usually, the duration may vary
from 18-36 months.
Q.6. What Can You Not Eat with Braces On?
While wearing dental braces, one must definitely avoid any carbonated drinks, sticky food,
and crunchy food including ice and popcorn.