What Are The Different Types Of Braces
Orthodontists and dentists specializing in teeth or jaw alignment use dental braces to straighten teeth. There are different reasons people get braces & orthodontic treatment, like improving their appearance or correcting crowding or issues with their bite.
Types of Braces
When you think of braces, you may think of metal brackets and wires surrounding teeth. While metal braces are still standard, many other materials and choices for dental braces are now available.
Traditional Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common braces, and they are often the least costly option. One downside is that they are the most apparent on your teeth. Metal braces get made of solid and lightweight materials, which are titanium and alloy.
Orthodontists glue metal brackets to the teeth with metal braces, and then a metal wire joins them. Elastics, which come in different colors, hold the wire to the brackets.
Clear Braces
Clear braces can correct the most complex issue of overbites, underbites, and crossbites. The procedure for clear braces is the same as metal braces, except that the materials used are discreet. The brackets are made out of porcelain rather than metal and are colored to match your tooth color. The porcelain brackets can stain over time. Elastics are clear, hardly noticeable, and the archwire can be white to make the braces as discreet as possible. The elastics can be of any color but get switched with new ones at every dental visit.
Invisalign
Invisalign is the best method of straightening teeth that is entirely different from traditional braces. The treatment uses clear, plastic aligners that fit flawlessly over your teeth and get switched every few weeks with new ones. Each new aligner gets designed to move your teeth towards the proper position. Invisalign looks like a mouth guard, except the aligner is set precisely to your teeth. Invisalign braces are removable and taken out for eating, drinking, and flossing.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces look like traditional metal braces. Instead of elastics keeping the wire in position, the bracket itself is equipped with a spring-loaded door to hold the wire. The brackets may be metal or clear since orthodontist adjustments are faster with a fitted wire holder. On the other hand, these types of braces may cost more. One study found that those with self-ligating braces felt more satisfied than those with traditional braces, but the difference was not statistically meaningful.
Lingual Braces
Lingual & metal, both the braces use the same material. However, instead of attaching them to the front teeth, the orthodontist places them on the back or the lingual side of the teeth. The apparent benefit of lingual braces is that they are not seeable from the outside. They are more difficult to access, so you may have trouble keeping them clean. For example, your bite may make it unusable in some cases because you would bump and break brackets too often. Your orthodontist’s job is more complex, so your adjustments could take a long time and be more pricey. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for lingual braces, though.
Braces & Orthodontist In Whitehouse, TX
If you are also suffering from teeth misalignment, crookedness, or overcrowding of teeth, you don’t have to anymore. At 110 Dental & Orthodontics, we have a variety of braces available to help you get s straight & flawless smile in no time. Contact us today to find out which braces will suit your condition the best.
