Are you planning on getting braces? But are conscious about getting visible braces?
Luckily for you, today’s technological advancements in orthodontic treatment offer more varieties of braces than ever before which has made braces a lot less invasive and more aesthetic.
Having traditional braces makes it more difficult to keep your teeth clean through brushing and flossing which is very important as failure to keep your teeth clean can possibly lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Here are 4 Teeth Straightening Types of Braces to choose from:
- Invisalign
Invisalign braces are slim, clear vacuum-moulded plastic retainers which are custom designed to fit snugly over your teeth. These braces are not like the traditional dental braces which are made up of elastic bands, wires and brackets as these aligners straighten your teeth by using removable plastic tooth aligners. Using Invisalign dental braces makes your orthodontic treatment almost invisible and also gives you a big advantage of removing your braces whenever you want to.
- Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth. Rather than at the front like traditional braces. This offers you a great cosmetic alternative if you want to have your teeth straightened without displaying your braces.
The process of lingual braces includes taking an impression of your teeth which is sent to a dental laboratory and used to create customized brackets. These braces work similarly to traditional braces by applying a gentle yet continuous pressure on your teeth and slowly shifts them into their intended positions. This treatment can last from anywhere between 18-36 months, depending on the severity of a patients overcrowding of teeth or bite.
Taking care of your lingual braces is important if you want to avoid tooth decay or gingivitis. A proper dental hygiene routine should include brushing for at least 2 minutes everyday with the use of a soft bristled brush, followed by a floss and a fluoride rinse to strengthen your teeth.
Lingual braces can also irritate your tongue and can cause it to become tender. Applying wax against your lower teeth to cover the braces can help in alleviating this soreness. You may tend to find speaking a bit difficult while wearing lingual braces initially but will eventually get used to it over time.
- Clear Ceramic or Tooth Coloured Braces
Ceramic braces are a great alternative to traditional metal braces with their tooth coloured brackets. These braces are a lot less noticeable than traditional braces and allow you to flash your smile with confidence.
Initially the wires that are used to bring the teeth into their intended position will be tooth coloured after which stronger metal wires will be introduced.
Ceramic braces also help you save money as compared to incognito or Invisalign braces as there are no laboratory fees involved.
Here are 3 advantages of Ceramic braces:
- They are discreet
- They are cost-effective
- They are very precise
The total course of the treatment usually takes 12-24 months after which you will be given a fitted retainer which will help in keeping your teeth in their intended positions. Avoid consuming sugary food, snacks and fruit juices between your meals to avoid tooth decay.
- Damon Clear Braces
Damon clear braces are an important part of the innovative Damon System which merges the high technology arch-wires and tieless brackets that have been proven to move your teeth more easily and quickly.
These braces use a ‘passive’ sliding system to maintain the arch-wires in the bracket, permitting them to move freely. This, in turn, helps to reduce the friction and binding which helps your teeth move quicker and more comfortably.
Damon treatment time is up to 6 times faster than traditional braces. Studies have shown that elastomeric rings of traditional braces tend to collect more bacteria and plaque which can lead to adverse gingival conditions. Damon clear braces are a bit different from traditional clear braces as they don’t use elastomeric rings which makes it easy to keep your braces clean.
These types of braces merge the finest of invisible aligners and traditional clear braces to produce a distinct treatment experience that goes beyond just straightening your teeth but rather improves your overall health.
The temporary pain, inconvenience and expense of the braces will all be worth it when you attain your natural dream smile. A lot of people are a bit hesitant to invest their time, money and effort in attaining their dream smile despite knowing the difference that it can make to their lives. The technological advancements in orthodontic treatment allow you to choose from a wide variety of braces and orthodontic treatments some of which may be suitable for you and to your liking. After all, a beautiful smile with healthy, straight teeth is absolutely worth the effort, right?
Author Bio:
Dr. Satish Pai – an Ivy League trained dentist and a faculty at Columbia University, believes that a perfect smile not only makes a person look great but feel great while boosting confidence. As the founder of Putnam Orthodontics, he is dedicated to not only creating perfect smiles for his patients but also educating people with his engaging articles about all things related to a perfect smile and oral health. Spending time with his family always brings a smile on his face. In his free time, you can find him golfing, doing yoga or surfing.