Crooked teeth can impact your overall quality of life. Many people with crowded, crooked, or misaligned teeth are self-conscious about how they look, resulting in embarrassment, lack of self-esteem, and even depression. Besides that, people with misaligned teeth may want to hide their mouths when they talk or laugh in public. It is important to note that crooked teeth not only affect your appearance but can have numerous adverse health effects, with some going beyond oral health.
A person with misaligned teeth can have chewing and biting problems and an increased risk of hurting the inside of their mouth. Getting orthodontist treatment can help straighten your teeth in a matter of weeks and restore your smile.
Dental braces are devices that orthodontists use to straighten and align crowded or crooked teeth. Teeth are straightened according to an individual's bite. Braces help correct overbites, underbites, open bites, malocclusions, deep bites, and other flaws of the teeth and jaw. Braces are made of ceramic or metal and can be used for structural or cosmetic purposes.
It is essential to know how braces work to understand how they straighten and align your teeth. Braces have various components which are strategically placed to deliver accurate results.
An archwire is a long, thin metal wire that runs across your front teeth. The primary purpose of an archwire is to give the desired tension to move your teeth.
Brackets are another prominent part of braces. Brackets can be placed on all of your teeth or just a few to hold the archwire in place. Brackets are applied on the surface of your teeth using a mouth-friendly adhesive.
Ligatures are small bands that are designed to connect brackets and the archwire. Besides that, they are used to exert more pressure on your teeth.
Spacers are made of metal rings or rubber bands and are positioned in between each tooth. Their main purpose is to create space at the back of your mouth by pushing the jaw forward. Spacers are used for a week or two and are not applied to everyone.
After getting your braces fitted in position, each of these parts works together to straighten and align your teeth slowly. Underneath your gums is the periodontal membrane, which protects the lower half of your teeth. Besides that, it also determines the position of your teeth. When pressure is continuously applied, the membrane stretches out, enabling the teeth to move in a specific direction. If one part of the braces breaks, it is best to visit the orthodontist to fix the broken part.
Metal braces/Traditional braces
It is the most common type of braces that is in use today. Metal braces have their brackets and archwires made out of a metallic material, making them the most noticeable type of braces. Also, many traditional metal braces have brackets and wires that are grey or metallic silver. They are the least expensive option of braces and are very effective in teeth alignment.
Ceramic braces are made out of a ceramic material that blends into the color of teeth; they can have tooth-colored or clear brackets. Ceramic braces have various colors that you can choose from. They are a favorable alternative for many people because they are less noticeable; also, one does not feel self-conscious about wearing them. People opt to have ceramic braces because they move teeth faster than other options such as Invisalign and lingual braces. They can take 18-36 to align your teeth.
Ceramic braces have a similar shape and size as metal braces; however, they are more expensive than metal braces. Aside from that, ceramic braces easily get stained and remain that way until they are replaced.
Ceramic braces are recommended for those that have erupted all their adult teeth. This is important as it minimizes the chance of brackets breaking due to growing teeth movement.
Lingual braces are similar to traditional metal braces. However, what makes them exceptional is their brackets and archwires are placed on the inside of your teeth, making them invisible. They are uncomfortable as they come in contact with the tongue. They can cause some pain as they come into contact with the soft tissues in your mouth. Aside from that, they can be difficult to clean. When compared to other types of braces, lingual braces are more expensive.
Invisalign is an effective option to align and straighten your teeth properly. It is a type of braces that uses clear, custom-fitted aligners. The aligners provide the right level of pressure on specific areas of your teeth which gradually moves them to a better position. It takes 12-24 months for your teeth to be correctly aligned. Aligners can move teeth vertically or horizontally.
To get Invisalign, an orthodontist will recommend X-ray impressions, photos, and a scan of your teeth. These impressions guide the orthodontist in customizing aligners to fit your mouth. Invisalign has a series of aligner trays that are frequently replaced. However, each new aligner feels different. Invisalign trays can be removed when eating, brushing, and flossing, but one needs to ensure they wear them for at least 20-22 hours.