According to the American Association of Orthodontists, about four million people have braces at any given time. Further studies indicate that of the 4 million people in the United States that have braces on, 75% of them are below 18 years. The statistics clearly show that this is a real problem facing many young people, hence need the expertise of an orthodontist.
An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in diagnoses and correction of misaligned teeth and jaws, overcrowded mouths, occlusions or overbites. Orthodontic treatments involve a number of techniques to choose from but knowing what type of braces will suit your needs best calls for an orthodontist assessment. Certainly, not all types of braces can be used to address various kinds of orthodontic conditions. Here are some of the common types of braces you should be aware of.
1.Invisalign
Invisalign is the most common and effective type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to adjust teeth. It’s popular among adults and perhaps the reason is that the Invisalign aligners are custom made for the specific orthodontic condition. In addition, the aligners are virtually invisible and removable. So you can actually remove the aligners clean teeth or enjoy your favorite meal without the braces on.
For best results, however, orthodontists recommend that a brace should be worn for at least 20 hours each day. And unlike traditional braces, Invisalign are relatively expensive and is ideally used for fairly standard alignment problems.
2.Metal Braces
Also referred to as traditional braces, metal braces features two parts, stainless steel metal bracket that is applied to the teeth and the bendable arch wires that go into the brackets. Metal braces are common among teenagers because they are relatively inexpensive than Invisalign and they offer quick teeth alignment.
While metal braces are still considered tradition, there has been an entry of more advanced versions of metal braces that come in small sizes and offer little intrusiveness. Today’s metal braces are designed to move teeth faster will less pain than they were in the past. For even more personalization, you now have the ability to choose the color of your braces
3.Lingual Braces
Essentially the same as traditional metal braces, but instead, they attach to the tongue side of your teeth. Lingual braces offer a number of advantages but the most common is that they are less noticeable and far less intrusive than traditional brackets and wires on the surface of the teeth. The brackets are specially designed to match the irregular back surfaces of your teeth and they help align your teeth from the inside.
4.Ceramic Braces
If you’re looking for a less invisible version other than lingual braces, ceramic braces are your best option. This type of dental brace features ceramic orthodontic brackets which have the same color and texture as teeth and therefore it would be difficult to distinguish the ceramic brackets from the teeth. Orthodontists would go ahead and use tooth-colored wires to make the entire treatment virtually impossible to notice.
Even with the recent advanced technology in treating orthodontics conditions, ceramic braces are still a common treatment. And though they offer quick treatment than Invisalign, ceramic braces are prone to stain without proper cleaning program and some patients complain of discomfort.
5.Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces are nothing new compared to traditional metal or ceramic brace orthodontic treatment. They still use brackets and wire system to straighten teeth. However, they now use more discreet clips or ceramic brackets to hold the brace’s wire together, in place of the rubber band tie system.
The idea is to create less friction when eating and allow you to clean teeth without necessarily having to remove the braces. While self-ligating braces reduces the number of times you have to visit orthodontist, they are not ideal orthodontic treatment for every patient.
These are the popular orthodontic treatment options available, but to ensure best results, orthodontists recommend adherence to the treatment program. Normally, you’d be supposed to have your brace on for 8 months to 2 years, though orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Regular dental hygiene is also important. Brush your teeth as normal and floss if necessary.