Do you dream of a healthier and more beautiful smile? There’s no reason to go through life with crowded or crooked teeth. If you lack self-confidence in your smile’s look or feel, braces can be the solution. Orthodontics has come a long way.
How Do Braces Work?
By applying a constant and gentle force on your teeth, orthodontic appliances slowly move your teeth into their proper position. Typical braces use metal, ceramic, or plastic to get the job done. Gone are the days when your only option for teeth straightening involved a metal band and an individual bracket around each tooth. You can now pick clear or metallic brackets and sometimes the color or material of your appliance. Nowadays, the wires are less noticeable and the process more comfortable. No matter how old you are, it’s a great time to wear braces!
How Long Does It Take?
Treatment time can vary between one and three years; a variety of factors, including age and the severity of your misalignment, determine the length of this period. A significant factor in successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent the patient, the faster your treatment will be. Children can receive interceptive treatment to provide a basis for smooth straightening later in life.
What Kinds of Braces are Available?
Dentistry has seen the advent of a variety of new techniques and types of appliances for teeth straightening. Here are three options:
- Traditional Metal Braces. Far more comfortable than ever before, conventional metal braces remain the most common type of orthodontic treatment. Made out of high-end stainless steel, these braces straighten your teeth via metal brackets and metal archwires. You can select the color of your elastics (rubber bands) and add a pop of personality to your new smile.
- Clear Aligners. Clear aligners such as Invisalign are a series of comfortable, removable, and invisible acrylic trays that slowly work to straighten your teeth. Since you can remove them, you have a lot more liberty in food choice than someone with traditional braces. Being able to toss the aligners on the counter allows for more comfortable brushing and flossing.
- Lingual Braces. Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and remain invisible when you smile. These braces can be completely customized to the shape of your mouth and your teeth. Lingual braces are great options for models, actors, musicians, players of wind instruments, and adult professionals.
Before you begin your orthodontic treatment, your doctor will discuss your options and provide you with an estimated duration of your treatment.
