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Dental Braces

Dental braces involve a diverse of orthodontic appliances that are used to straighten teeth, help teeth fit together, and reshape the jaw.

The most common type of braces are wire and bracket systems, and aligners.

 

The Process

The wire and bracket systems are made up of brackets which are fixed to the teeth in strategic places to form anchor points for the wire.

When the wires are tightened, they pull on the brackets which in turn press on the teeth. It’s this force that makes the teeth move over time. Brackets are repositioned and wires are tightened at regular intervals to ensure the process works.

With aligners, clear or tooth-colored plastics are used instead of wires and brackets. These aligners apply gentle force on the teeth which gradually shifts them into place. The aligners are replaced every few weeks with a new set that keeps the pressure on.

Types of Braces

Braces come in all shapes and sizes for all sorts of budgets and problems. But there are two main types: wire and bracket, and aligner.

Wire And Bracket Braces

Traditional braces are made out of metal brackets and metal wires. They’re effective, reliable and predictable in their results ando also the cheapest option.

Ceramic braces are pretty much like traditional braces but they use white ceramic brackets and white wires which makes the appliance much less evident than metal.

Lingual braces are still using the wire and bracket systems, but  they go on the inside of your mouth and that makes them the most unnoticeable braces you can possibly get.

Lingual braces are still using the wire and bracket systems, but  they go on the inside of your mouth and that makes them the most unnoticeable braces you can possibly get.

The disadvantage of these is that they uncommon, sometimes rare to find and require very precise work, they are more expensive and can take longer to get used to.

Fast braces are braces designed to work in six months rather than years, but these fast brace systems are typically intended for cosmetic realignment of the front six teeth, not full orthodontic work.

Aligners

The most common form of aligner today is Invisalign which uses clear plastic aligners for the teeth reposition and are almost completely unnoticeable.

Each set of aligners is made specifically for your mouth. They apply them with a soft pressure to your teeth, and each two weeks they need to be changed for a new set.

You can remove the invisalign aligners by yourself clean your teeth or eat.

Dental Braces FAQ

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great time to see the orthodontist.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens.

About one in every five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. 

Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any age is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

  • ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.
  • Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities!
  • If you take out your retainer to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, floss, and remember to keep your retainer safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken.
  • Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in denture cleaner. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher.
  • During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, which increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, and can cause more plaque and potential cavities.
  • Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.).
  • Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.

Braces are used by an orthodontist to help you improve the look and feel of your smile. There are several different types of braces to choose from, including:

  • Clear braces
  • Ceramic braces
  • Self-ligating braces
  • Invisible braces
  • Traditional metal braces

The amount of time spent in braces will vary, depending on the individual patient, because every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere from six to 30 months, but most standard treatments last about 18 months.

Braces do not often hurt, though you may feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces.

With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between your braces.

You should also floss daily to get between your braces where your brush isn’t able to reach. 

Reach Out to Us for More Information

If you have a question that wasn’t addressed above, our staff is happy to chat with you.

We’re also here to explain any of the above processes and procedures in greater detail.