Dental Braces: Types, Care & What to Expect

Dental braces are one of the prominent ways to enhance your smile. A smile is the gateway to a world of self-esteem. So if you have crooked or broken teeth, getting dental braces is important. They play a crucial role in achieving this goal of improving a smile and eventually improving one’s self-esteem.

In this blog, we’ll go through everything from what dental braces are to the duration it takes to fix a gap to retainers. Let’s start with what dental braces are.

What are Braces?

Dental braces are basically dental tools that help you correct your problems with your teeth. Dental braces solve issues like crowding, crooked teeth, or misaligned teeth. Many people get tooth braces when they’re in school or college, however, many get them after passing out of college or adults in their twenties. While some go for dental braces only to adjust their smile.

How Do Dental Braces Work?

Brackets are basically small squares that are attached to the front of the teeth. A special bonding agent is used with orthodontic bands. Brackets act like handles, holding the arch wires that move your teeth. These bands are made of stainless steel and have tooth-colored materials cemented, which will help the brackets/bands keep intact.

Check Here: Benefits of Braces Beyond Straight Teeth

What are the Types of Dental Braces?

There are different appliances based on your needs. The dentist or the orthodontist prescribes an appliance that’s specific to your certain needs. These tooth braces may consist of wires, bands, and other removable corrective appliances. After all, not all methods will work for all cases.

Let’s take a look at a few treatment options:

Traditional Braces/ Metal Braces

Metal braces are made of metal. These include brackets which are attached to the front of your teeth. Traditional braces are the most conventional type of braces that fit around each tooth and are flexible wires holding the brackets together. At times, your doctor may even suggest wearing headgear at night to expedite the process. It gives added pressure to help straighten your teeth so you can easily put it on and take it off.

Clear Aligners

You may have heard them being called as invisible braces. These are clear plastic trays which fit snugly onto your teeth. They use pressure that gently and slowly moves the misaligned teeth into alignment. You can remove them whenever you want or the doctor may suggest you wear them full-time.

Ceramic Braces

While metal or conventional dental braces are affordable, they are more visible. Here’s when ceramic braces could come to rescue. These brackets are traditional, however, they are made in tooth-colored ceramic so that they’re less noticeable. They are made of clear materials, stainless steel or gold.

Lingual Braces

The brackets are attached to the back of your teeth, facing your tongue. Lingual braces are harder to see.

Braces Treatment

The orthodontist would want to see you almost every month to adjust your braces. These frequent visits ensure the dental braces are putting steady pressure on your teeth and ensure they get aligned. In certain cases, braces may not be enough to straighten your smile. Here’s when headgear is suggested by the doctor.

How Long Will I Have to Wear Braces?

The time needed for braces to work varies from person to person. It varies on the following factors:

• The severity of the problem
• The patient’s age–younger the age, faster the results
• Teeth, gums and supporting bone health
• The distance your teeth must travel
• Amount of room within your mouth
• How closely you follow the instructions

These factors will dictate the duration of wearing braces.

Taking Care of Braces

Take care of the below pointers when taking care of your dental braces.

• Prevent hard-to-bite or sticky food items.
• If you lose a bracket/band or break a wire, you may have to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
• Retainers may need to be washed and disinfected with a cleanser in warm water.
• You get a special brush to clean the space in between your brackets.

You can even contact a dentist from Allwyn Dental to know more about taking care of your braces.

What Can I Expect from My Dental Braces?

The course of treatment depends on the severity of the problem and the health of underlying issues. Dental braces work for both children and adults, however, the time required might be more in adults. The exact results, however, depend on the type of dental braces your dentist suggests. At the end of the treatment, you can expect to have a healthy and improved smile.

How Long Do Braces Take to Fix a Gap?

It typically takes a few months to fix a gap based on the severity of the gap and the specific treatment plan prescribed by the orthodontist. Usually, if the gap is small, it could be closed within a few months, while a larger gap may take up to a year or more. Throughout the course of the treatment, your teeth will keep adjusting, and the doctor will make adjustments after observing the current position of the teeth. The duration will depend on the patient’s age, the type of braces, and overall dental hygiene.

Will I be Needing Retainers After Dental Braces?

Once your dental braces are taken off, your teeth are cleaned. After this, the dentist takes impressions for a retainer. A retainer keeps your newly aligned smile in place and prevents a relapse. They settle into your jaw and help the teeth hold in place.

If you’re looking forward to getting your smile fixed, contact Allwyn Dental. They have a team of doctors to guide you through your entire dental journey.