Types Of Dental Braces
Not everybody is born with a perfect set of teeth.
Also, not everybody has straight teeth throughout their lives. A lot of people suffer from teeth alignment issues such as teeth crowding, malocclusions such as overbite and underbite, crooked teeth, incorrect jaw position, and disorders of the jaw joints.
Dental braces are considered to be the best solution to correct these alignment defects. Different types of dental braces are available to suit distinct orthodontic issues.
From temporary braces for teeth to innovative clear aligners like Invisalign, these four major types of dental braces that are available to choose from.
Traditional Or Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most widely used temporary braces that orthodontists suggest. These least expensive braces involve metal brackets and wires that are tightly wound on the outer surfaces of teeth. Traditional braces are known for solving even severe misalignments faster than any other type of braces. The only drawback of metal braces is that they are visible and that can be embarrassing for the user.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are as effective as the metal braces. This means that these braces can also solve severe misalignment problems within a matter of months. These braces consist of metal wires with ceramic brackets that seamlessly blend with the natural colour of your teeth. Some orthodontists even use tooth-coloured wires to make ceramic braces even less noticeable. Being almost unnoticeable, these braces are in high demand. Some of the drawbacks of these braces are that they can stain due to high-pigmented foods and are expensive than metal braces.
Lingual Or Inside Braces
Lingual braces are exactly similar to the metal braces with metal or ceramic brackets and wires. The duration taken to correct orthodontic flaws is also similar to that of traditional or ceramic braces. The only difference is that they are attached to the inner dental surfaces. Thus, they are also known as inside braces. As these braces are attached to the inner side of the teeth, they are practically invisible. However, this brings some drawbacks too. They are difficult to clean and can be very uncomfortable for some people. Another disadvantage of lingual braces is that they are not an ideal solution for severe teeth overcrowding and malocclusions.
Invisalign
Invisalign or clear aligners are entirely different from the types mentioned above.
We’ve actually dedicated a post just to outlining the key braces and Invisalign differences to help you understand what each option brings to the table, orthodontically speaking.
These are tray-like aligners made of clear, BPA-free plastic that cover the entire set of teeth. Being transparent, Invisalign is entirely invisible. One can remove and wear Invisalign aligners as and when needed which provides total comfort to the wearer.
The disadvantage of this temporary braces for teeth is that they slowly shift teeth to the desired position, and are useful only for medium-level misalignments. If you’re interested in learning about about the treatment, check out our rundown of how Invisalign works.
Modern dental braces come in all shapes and sizes to suit particular teeth misalignment conditions and provide complete comfort to different wearers. Visit your orthodontic specialist and find out which kind of temporary braces for teeth is the best option for you. Depending on the severity of your orthodontic issues and how soon you want the results, your dentist will suggest the best fit.