Braces are a dental tool that can be used to straighten and align teeth. It may also be combined with surgery in more complex cases to fix biting alignment issues. Young people, and even adults, who desire to establish a better bite, frequently undergo this orthodontic procedure.
Dental braces come in a variety of configurations, each requiring a distinct process. In this page, we describe the many types of braces and their various uses.
The following points will be touched upon in this article:
Why do you need to wear braces?
How do braces function?
What is the process and how does it work?
What different kinds of braces are available in the market today?
What takes place once my braces are taken off?
What is the price of braces?
Why do you need to wear braces?
Getting braces can be done for a variety of reasons. They help to improve your bite and oral health in addition to straightening your teeth for a more attractive and self-assured smile overall. According to studies, people who successfully use braces experience higher levels of satisfaction with their physical appearance and self-worth1. Continue reading to discover the many advantages of braces.
- Enhance the bite: Misalignments in how the top teeth and lower teeth come together are referred to as malocclusions, such as underbites and overbites. They frequently result in a variety of other chewing and biting-related issues.Since they aid in positioning correction for the teeth, braces are frequently a component of treatment for bad bites. To progressively realign the jaw, little orthodontic rubber ties may be fastened to the brackets.
- Boost dental health and avoid dental problems: Since some regions of your teeth are tougher to reach when brushing and flossing, it can be challenging to thoroughly clean your teeth if you have overcrowding or crooked teeth. Plaque may accumulate as a result, thereby raising the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Furthermore, crooked teeth may grind against each other and this wears down the tooth enamel, which is the tooth’s outer layer, when teeth grind against one another. Your teeth’s alignment can be corrected using braces to avoid these issues.
How do braces function?
In broad terms, braces function by gently and continuously exerting pressure to the teeth. Throughout the course of orthodontic treatment, these forces are carefully adjusted. They arrange the teeth in the proper position over a long amount of time.
This is possible because the fibres that tie the teeth to the bone, or the periodontal ligaments as they are known, constantly adapt to pressure and tension on the teeth. Resorption occurs on the side that is being “squeezed” when force is applied to the tooth. On the other side, bone is also “produced” (deposited). While deposition can take a few months, resorption occurs within days, which explains why braces therapy takes more than a year to produce positive outcomes.
What is the process and how does it work?
Before offering you a treatment plan, an orthodontist will often work with you during consultations to understand the state of your teeth and jaws. To detect dental issues such an overbite or crowded teeth, he or she may also take X-rays, imprints, and photographs of your teeth.
The braces will be put on during the following appointment. With fixed braces, archwires are attached after brackets are secured to your teeth using a special tooth glue. After that, you will only need to come back to the dental office every 4 to 8 weeks to have your braces adjusted in accordance with the customised treatment plan.
What different kinds of braces are available in the market today?
There are several alternatives on the market, ranging from conventional metal braces to transparent plastic aligners. Fixed braces and removable braces are the two main categories of braces.
Fixed Braces
Fixed braces are those that are attached to the teeth and must be worn all the time, even while eating, brushing teeth, and sleeping. Self-ligating braces,traditional braces, and lingual braces are examples of fixed braces:
Self-ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces are tie-free and easy on the tissues and teeth because they don’t need to be tightened . The Damon braces, for example, are self-ligating braces with a passive slide mechanism that keep the arch-wires inside the brackets so they may a lot move more freely and with much less resistance. The Damon method doesn’t require elastic ties, which also helps to enhance oral hygiene because food frequently gets stuck between the elastic ties and brackets of conventional braces. The Damon braces are available in ceramic and stainless steel options.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces come in two varieties: metal braces and ceramic braces. Metal brackets, which are used in traditional metal braces, are bonded to the front of your teeth. Elastic ties are used to hold a metal arch wire in place as it passes through the metal brackets. The orthodontist will progressively realign your teeth by adjusting the tension on each bracket during each appointment.
The same principles apply to ceramic braces as to metal braces, with the exception that the ceramic brackets used to hold the arch wires are the same shade as your teeth. Additionally, tooth-colored arch wires (and occasionally clear elastic ties) are also employed.
The average orthodontic treatment time for regular metal braces and ceramic braces is about 18 to 24 months.
Ceramic braces are more prone to stains from the food and beverages you consume, yet some people prefer them to metal braces because they are thought to be less noticeable. Additionally, they are typically more expensive than classic metal braces.
Lingual Braces
A significantly less popular option for braces treatment is lingual braces. The only difference is that the metal brackets are attached behind the teeth, much like conventional metal braces. Lingual braces are possibly the most expensive orthodontic treatment option available, yet they conceal your braces. This is mostly because of the braces’ personalised brackets and the challenging nature of setting up, adjusting, and maintaining the braces.
Removable Braces
As the name implies, removable braces are kinds of braces that are not linked to the teeth and can be taken out for cleaning or eating.
Removable Plates: In order to correct minor issues with the bite or tooth crowding, removable plates are a hard plastic appliance that uses wires and springs to force teeth into the proper position. They are detachable, and kids whose permanent teeth are still erupting are more likely to utilise them.
Clear Plastic Aligners: One of the solutions on the market are clear plastic aligners, also known as invisible braces. Wearing removable, custom-made clear aligners is required as part of the orthodontic treatment for at least 20 to 22 hours each day. Every new set is slightly different from the previous one, and since they are changed every two weeks, your teeth will eventually shift as a result.
Because they are virtually invisible, clear aligners like Invisalign braces are a discreet solution for people who are self-conscious. Since they can be taken out for cleaning, they also make it simpler to eat, brush, and floss. However, the price of invisible braces might be substantially higher than the self-ligating and traditional braces. They also require you to visit the orthodontist a lot more often.
What takes place once my braces are taken off?
Braces are technically only the beginning of orthodontic therapy. You will need to wear retainers after they are taken off to keep your teeth from shifting back to their original position. The required instructions will be given to you by your orthodontist. If you want to preserve the “straightness” of your teeth, retainers are typically required to be worn permanently.
What is the price of braces?
During the initial appointments, the price of the full orthodontic treatment will be discussed in detail before braces are applied. The complexity of the case, length of the treatment, and type of braces worn all play a major role in this. Costs for metal braces range from $3,000 to $7,500. Ceramic braces cost between $2000 to $8500. Clear aligners from Invisalign could cost between $3,000 and $7,000. The cost of lingual braces could range from $5,000 to $13,000.
In conclusion, every set of teeth is distinct. It is advisable to explore your alternatives with a qualified orthodontist if you intend to wear braces.
Along the way, you will receive guidance and information, and there will be lots of possibilities for you to voice your concerns and obtain the responses you require to feel secure before going ahead with the braces procedure.
We are here to provide you with the best orthodontic experience possible. Call us at (971) 423-6804 and we’ll assist you in scheduling a consultation with one of our talented and friendly orthodontists.
