ORTHODONTICS
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry which deals with the alignment of irregular or crooked teeth.
Types of braces
Adults getting braces today will find far more options than they remember — or had themselves — in their youth. For adults, aesthetics is the main consideration, Cost and lifestyle are the other key considerations. Each option offers advantages and disadvantages.
They include:
Conventional braces
Decades ago, braces consisted of a metal band around every or almost every tooth. Today, conventional braces hold wires with just a single bracket bonded on the front of the tooth. A few bands in the back anchor the wires.
A second option for conventional braces switches out metal for clear or tooth-colored ceramic.
Aligners
Aligners are clear trays that are switched out every two weeks to accommodate the movement of teeth. They remain in the mouth for 20 to 22 hours per day, removed just long enough for meals and cleaning your teeth. The most common brand of aligners is Invisalign.
Aligners are less conspicuous, but they’re still not completely invisible. They don’t affect how you brush and floss your teeth (unlike other types of braces).
However, aligners require the discipline to keep them in every possible moment and to switch out the trays on schedule. Shirking this responsibility sometimes means that treatment with aligners takes longer than with conventional options.
Self-ligating braces
In self-ligating braces, the wire passes through a small metal clip on the bracket. The system eliminates the need for elastic bands to help move the teeth.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are similar to conventional braces, except the brackets are bonded to the back side of tooth.
Lingual braces are virtually invisible and work just as quickly as conventional braces. However, they are custom-made and typically cost more than other options.
Regardless of the type of appliance, your orthodontist may want you to wear a retainer after treatment is complete. You might wear it part or all of the day.
Thanks to recent advances, the metallic orthodontic brackets which we’re so used to seeing can now be replaced by a far less conspicuous ceramic, see through bracket, so braces don’t have to make you or your children self-conscious anymore. We also specialize in lingual orthodontics, where we place the orthodontic wire on the back surface of your teeth, completely out of sight. In certain cases, you might also be a candidate for the revolutionary new Invisalign clear orthodontic trays.
Remember, there is no age limit to start orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics for adults is very popular worldwide, and the orthodontists will work to align your teeth beautifully to give you that smile which makes you look as young as you feel!