Many people believe that braces are simply meant for children and teenagers. This is a misconception – braces can be fitted to adults as well. Dental braces have been useful for decades, and people rely on them for functional or restorative purposes.
In this article, you will know how braces work and how they can correct damaged teeth.
Braces As Corrective Options
Crooked or damaged teeth will affect your confidence level – even if you deny it. People are more inclined to be with others who have beautiful teeth. Hence, this is the reason why dental braces were considered as optimal corrective options. They are safe, somehow affordable, and can be personalized. Braces can also resolve different dental issues such as malocclusion (bad bite) and poor teeth alignment. Do not shrug basic teeth damage. The damage will compound and lead to excessive gum and teeth stress along with facial pain.
Practically, childhood is the ideal time to get braces. This is because their teeth are still growing to accommodate any possible changes. However, adults can still get the maximum benefits offered by braces.
If you’re planning to get corrective braces, always keep in mind that your bones have already stopped growing. Any complex dental changes will require surgery. The process is also longer, compared to a dental work with a child or an adolescent.
You also need the continuous advice of a periodontist, aside from your general dentist. This guarantees that no complication will appear throughout the procedure.
How Do Braces Work?
Orthodontics is a marvel of dentistry. It relies on long-term direct pressure that will cause your teeth to change their position. The orthodontist will use different types of mechanical devices, depending on the state of your teeth. Braces are the most common devices and also one of the most popular. People choose bracers because of their versatility, usefulness, and ease of access. Orthodontists use dental cement to affix the braces to tooth surfaces. To support the directional push of the braces, your orthodontist will use durable elastic bands.
The process of putting braces takes two hours at the most. Afterwards, you will feel mild soreness and discomfort for a few days. Don’t worry – you can use over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If there’s an unbearable pain or mild bleeding, consult your orthodontist or dentist right away.
The Pros & Cons of Braces
Modern dental braces are more comfortable and less obtrusive than the ones from the past. They’re also smaller and have fewer brackets. Additionally, the wires are less noticeable and more effective than older models. Because of this effectiveness, you will definitely gain the benefits of modern dental braces. The most common types of braces are stainless steel brackets, but you can also try gold brackets with wires. Younger patients prefer coloured wires and elastics for improved aesthetics.
Others take a different style, opting instead for tooth-coloured ceramic or clear plastic brackets. The main reason for doing so is the visual factor of those variants. Before you choose these brackets, you should be aware of some disadvantages. For starters, they are more expensive than metal variants. Ceramic brackets are also known to break, and they are less comfortable on lower teeth. These brackets can also wear down your teeth enamel over time. You can try the popular combination of ceramic brackets (upper teeth) and metallic brackets (lower teeth).
Stainless steel brackets are ‘go-to’ choices because of their long-term durability. Unlike plastic brackets, stainless steel variants do not cause teeth staining. Ceramics and plastics can cause friction between the wire and the teeth. You may also need to adjust your dental habits because the treatment phase will be longer if you have ceramic brackets.
Some orthodontists rely on a device called a lingual appliance. This device attaches to the back of your teeth so the brackets and wires don’t appear whenever you smile. The downside? Semi-invisible braces can irritate your tongue and affect your speech. It takes a fair amount of time to adjust to these advanced braces.
Contact us today if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule your appointment.
