What Type of Dental Braces Are Available and Which Option Is Best for You?
Having straight teeth is an incredible feeling. Getting to show off your smile with confidence is a huge plus. However, most people aren’t lucky enough to have perfectly aligned teeth. Crooked teeth not only mar your smile, but they come with other dental issues such as tooth decay, temporomandibular joint pain, poor digestion, etc.
This is why our Seattle dentist offers orthodontic treatment as a way to straighten teeth. There are different ways to straighten teeth, which you will discuss with our Seattle dentist during your initial consultation.
The major challenge would be to choose the right option that suits your needs. Just to help you have a clearer picture, let’s look at the orthodontic treatments available.
Braces
When it comes to orthodontic treatment, braces are by far the most popular option. They are designed to correct a host of mild to severe bite issues, including:
- Overbite
- Open bite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
They are the least expensive option and, in most cases, can give you the best results. Braces are further divided into several types.
- Traditional Braces
Whenever people think of straightening teeth, they often picture metal braces. These braces are comprised of archwires and brackets that are glued or attached to the front of your teeth. The brackets are connected to the archwires by tiny elastics. Traditional braces have come far and have progressed so much.
They are fashioned from high-grade stainless steel, and they work by putting pressure on your teeth, which causes them to move over time to the desired position. Traditional braces are now lighter in weight than before. They also come in different colors for those who desire to spruce up their look.
- Self-Ligating Braces
These are a gentler alternative to traditional braces that require less visits to your dentist’s office, saving you time and money.
Self-ligating braces do not use elastics to adjust your teeth, but they use a slide mechanism. Your teeth will move on their own and will not need adjusting as conventional braces. Therefore, you will experience less pressure and friction, meaning that there will be less pain. Also, self-ligating braces are easier to maintain.
- Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are the newer types of braces that are less conspicuous since they are glued to the back of your teeth. They’re excellent for adults who don’t want their orthodontic treatment to be seen.
- Ceramic Braces
These are the same as the conventional braces, but the significant difference is that the brackets are made from clear ceramic. This means that they are less visible—also an ideal option for adults or older teenagers who prioritize aesthetics.
- Clear Aligners
Clear or removable aligners typically come in a series of customized trays to fit over your teeth. They look similar to mouth guards.
One of the common brands of aligners is Invisalign®, which is made from high-grade clear thermoplastic. Invisalign aligners are clear and discreet. They need to be worn for at least 22 hours each day to work as they should. Clear aligners are an excellent option if you have mild to moderate bite issues.
Which One Should You Choose?
For you to get the treatment that would work best in your situation, you need to consider the following issues:
- Budget
It’s always prudent to go for an option that you can pay for without breaking the bank. Some treatments will cost more than others.
- Aesthetics
Aesthetics may be an important factor to consider. How they look really plays a huge role in which treatment most adults choose. If you do not like how conspicuous metal braces are, then you can opt for clear aligners, ceramic or lingual braces.
- Discipline
Keep in mind that you will need an exceptional standard of discipline in whichever treatment you choose. You will need extra dental care to keep the braces and your teeth plaque-free and clean.
Also, clear aligners require you to wear the aligners for a certain amount of time each day. Without this discipline, you will not get the desired results.
The Bottom Line
Everyone is unique, so not all treatments are suitable in every case. For instance, Invisalign can straighten teeth, but it is not the best option for more complex issues. This is why you need to sit down with our Seattle dentist to discuss the options that can get you the best results. For consultation or questions, call us today at Greenlake Dental.
Click to listen highlighted text! What Type of Dental Braces Are Available and Which Option Is Best for You? Jan 01, 2021 Having straight teeth is an incredible feeling. Getting to show off your smile with confidence is a huge plus. However, most people aren’t lucky enough to have perfectly aligned teeth. Crooked teeth not only mar your smile, but they come with other dental issues such as tooth decay, temporomandibular joint pain, poor digestion, etc. This is why our Seattle dentist offers orthodontic treatment as a way to straighten teeth. There are different ways to straighten teeth, which you will discuss with our Seattle dentist during your initial consultation. The major challenge would be to choose the right option that suits your needs. Just to help you have a clearer picture, let’s look at the orthodontic treatments available. Braces When it comes to orthodontic treatment, braces are by far the most popular option. They are designed to correct a host of mild to severe bite issues, including: Overbite Open bite Underbite Crossbite They are the least expensive option and, in most cases, can give you the best results. Braces are further divided into several types. Traditional Braces Whenever people think of straightening teeth, they often picture metal braces. These braces are comprised of archwires and brackets that are glued or attached to the front of your teeth. The brackets are connected to the archwires by tiny elastics. Traditional braces have come far and have progressed so much. They are fashioned from high-grade stainless steel, and they work by putting pressure on your teeth, which causes them to move over time to the desired position. Traditional braces are now lighter in weight than before. They also come in different colors for those who desire to spruce up their look. Self-Ligating Braces These are a gentler alternative to traditional braces that require less visits to your dentist’s office, saving you time and money. Self-ligating braces do not use elastics to adjust your teeth, but they use a slide mechanism. Your teeth will move on their own and will not need adjusting as conventional braces. Therefore, you will experience less pressure and friction, meaning that there will be less pain. Also, self-ligating braces are easier to maintain. Lingual Braces Lingual braces are the newer types of braces that are less conspicuous since they are glued to the back of your teeth. They’re excellent for adults who don’t want their orthodontic treatment to be seen. Ceramic Braces These are the same as the conventional braces, but the significant difference is that the brackets are made from clear ceramic. This means that they are less visible—also an ideal option for adults or older teenagers who prioritize aesthetics. Clear Aligners Clear or removable aligners typically come in a series of customized trays to fit over your teeth. They look similar to mouth guards. One of the common brands of aligners is Invisalign®, which is made from high-grade clear thermoplastic. Invisalign aligners are clear and discreet. They need to be worn for at least 22 hours each day to work as they should. Clear aligners are an excellent option if you have mild to moderate bite issues. Which One Should You Choose? For you to get the treatment that would work best in your situation, you need to consider the following issues: Budget It’s always prudent to go for an option that you can pay for without breaking the bank. Some treatments will cost more than others. Aesthetics Aesthetics may be an important factor to consider. How they look really plays a huge role in which treatment most adults choose. If you do not like how conspicuous metal braces are, then you can opt for clear aligners, ceramic or lingual braces. Discipline Keep in mind that you will need an exceptional standard of discipline in whichever treatment you choose. You will need extra dental care to keep the braces and your teeth plaque-free and clean. Also, clear aligners require you to wear the aligners for a certain amount of time each day. Without this discipline, you will not get the desired results. The Bottom Line Everyone is unique, so not all treatments are suitable in every case. For instance, Invisalign can straighten teeth, but it is not the best option for more complex issues. This is why you need to sit down with our Seattle dentist to discuss the options that can get you the best results. For consultation or questions, call us today at Greenlake Dental.