Achieving your ideal smile can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. You can get the smile you want with the right orthodontic care and by understanding what’s involved.
Braces are an orthodontic treatment that can straighten teeth and improve your teeth and smile. This post will discuss all you need to know about braces! Specifically, what they are, how they work, the different braces available, and their advantages and associated risks and side effects. Casa Dental offers various orthodontic treatments suitable for achieving your best smile.
What Are Braces?
Teeth braces correct misaligned teeth and jaws. The pressure applied by braces gently moves the teeth into their desired positions. With careful monitoring, patients can achieve a healthier, more attractive smile with braces that look and feel great.
Types of Braces
There are various types of braces – metal, ceramic, lingual, self-ligating braces and clear aligners/Invisalign.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are more durable and correct severely misaligned teeth. They are the least expensive, where results are in a relatively short period. It also provides flexible customisations for its colours, shapes, and sizes – allowing patients to customise their look according to their preferences.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are like traditional metal braces but with tooth-coloured or clear ceramic brackets instead of metal ones, which adds comfort. They are popular among adults because they are less visible than metal braces, making them a great option to improve their smile without paying too much attention to their mouths.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces correct malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth) and are placed on the backside of each tooth instead of the front, which makes them virtually invisible from the outside. Lingual braces placement won’t irritate the lips, which causes discomfort when speaking. It makes them a great option to not feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces use brackets with an active clasp mechanism to hold the archwire in place. This technology helps reduce friction and makes moving your teeth throughout treatment easier. Self-ligating braces have reduced treatment time, improved comfort level, fewer adjustments required and fewer visits to the orthodontist.
Clear Aligners (Invisalign)
Clear Aligners, also known as Invisalign, are a modern alternative to traditional braces that are nearly invisible, comfortable and easily removable. Unlike metal braces cemented onto the teeth, clear aligners can be taken off to eat, drink, brush and floss, reducing the risk of decay and gum disease.
How Do Braces Work?
When getting braces, there are stages that you will undergo during treatment.
- Consultation: You will have an appointment to examine your teeth and jaws and determine the type of braces for your needs.
- Bonding: The bonding process securely holds all of the components together so that they can move the teeth in a controlled and precise manner. Brackets are cemented onto each tooth, and metal wires are run between them and held in place with tiny rubber bands called ligatures.
- Adjustment: After the braces have been put in place, regular adjustments and necessary changes are made to ensure that your teeth move in the right direction.
- Debanding: Orthodontists will individually remove each bracket from the tooth surface with an orthodontic plier. The orthodontist may polish the enamel to leave it smooth and even. Any residual adhesive will be thoroughly cleaned from the teeth with a dental pick.
- Retention: Retention is critical for achieving the desired result. It helps maintain the alignment of the teeth and prevents them from shifting back to their original position.
Why Get Braces?
Generally, braces treat orthodontic issues like misaligned, crowded, crooked and gapped teeth. However, it can also increase appearance and self-confidence, enhance oral function, correct speech problems and reduce the risk of dental injuries.
Increased Appearance and Self-Confidence
People with well-aligned teeth often appear more attractive to others, and having straight teeth can boost one’s sense of self-esteem. Wearing braces helps fix the underlying problem of misaligned teeth, giving individuals straighter, healthier-looking smiles.
Enhanced Oral Function
Braces can enhance oral function by correcting the improper alignment of the teeth and jaws, leading to difficulty speaking, eating, and other daily functions.
Correct Speech Problem
Braces reposition the jaw, tongue, and teeth into an ideal position for speaking. It allows the mouth to form sounds properly, improving articulation and reducing any slurring or impediments in speech. Braces may also be used to widen the palate so that it is easier for air to pass through the throat, producing clearer speech and improved pronunciation.
Reduced Risk of Dental Injuries
Braces are attached to the teeth with metal bands or wires, which cushion and buffer against hard blows and impacts.
Risks and Side Effects of Wearing Braces
The risks and side effects of wearing braces are minimal, but they can still cause concern.
Pain and Discomfort
Brackets, bands, wires, and other pieces can rub against the gums and cheeks, causing irritation that can be painful and uncomfortable. Applying wax over the brackets or using an oral rinse may help to reduce pain and discomfort.
Difficulty Eating Certain Foods
Chewy and hard foods can damage the wires and brackets, making it necessary to avoid them altogether or cut them into smaller pieces.
Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Plaque can build up around the brackets and wires, causing an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Brush and floss regularly and use a fluoride mouthwash to keep the teeth and gums healthy.
Conclusion
Braces correct misaligned teeth and help improve oral function, appearance and self-confidence, and reduce the risk of dental injuries. Some risks and side effects are associated, but with regular care and maintenance, they can be minimised.