Braces are dental devices that help correct crowded, crooked or improperly aligned teeth. They come in different types to suit various orthodontic needs. Kinds Of Braces For Teeth include fixed braces, clear aligners and lingual braces.
Have you wondered about the Kinds Of Braces For Teeth available to straighten your smile? From traditional metal brackets to transparent aligners, orthodontists have multiple options to choose from.
The most common type are fixed braces which use brackets and wires to slowly move teeth into their proper position. Clear plastic aligners are removable and invisible while wearing. Lingual braces are fixed on the back of teeth for a discreet look. All aim to provide an aesthetically pleasing and healthy set of teeth.
What Are Fixed Braces?
Fixed braces are traditional metal braces that are bonded directly to the surface of the teeth. They use brackets, elastic bands, and wires to apply pressure and slowly move teeth into proper alignment. Fixed braces require regular tightening visits with an orthodontist every 4-8 weeks to guide tooth movement.
Metal brackets are bonded to the front and sometimes back teeth using a special adhesive. Different colored elastic bands or wires are threaded through these brackets to apply forces that shift the teeth. Fixed braces are very customizable and can correct misaligned bites or jaws in addition to crooked teeth.
Fixed Braces Work
Fixed braces work by applying constant pressure on teeth over time to encourage them to move into the desired position. The orthodontist attaches brackets and archwires that exert pressure on teeth through elastic bands or tightening of the wire. As teeth move under this pressure, the wire is periodically tightened or changed to continue guiding tooth movement.
Bracket attachments allow wires to be threaded through to apply forces in specific directions. Each tightening or adjustment applies new pressure to specific teeth or tooth groups to shift them incrementally into alignment. Continuous wear is required for the slow process of realigning the entire dental arch.
Components Of Fixed Braces
Metal brackets are bonded to teeth, Type Of Braces Are There usually the front six and sometimes backs teeth. Archwires fit into the bracket slots and apply forces. Rubber bands or coils help move teeth by placing tension between certain teeth. Ligatures like elastic or steel wires wrap around wires to hold them secure against the brackets.
Regular visits involve changing or replacing the archwire completely to increase pressure gradually. Brackets may need to be re-bonded or bands added if teeth start to tilt. Attachments can be bonded directly to teeth as well to help in more complex tooth movement cases. Fixed braces require several types of components working in concert for optimal results.
Good Candidate For Fixed Braces
Those with misaligned teeth in multiple locations benefit most from fixed braces. Crooked, crowded, or overlapped teeth that require significant rotation or adjustment of the bite indicate fixed braces. Patients willing and able to commit to wearing braces for 12-24 months and making regular orthodontist visits are ideal.
Good oral hygiene habits help ensure fixed braces work properly without damage from plaque buildup. Adolescents through young adults are common candidates as their teeth and jaws are still developing and growing. Teeth that are severely crowded or have large spacing may need extractions, making fixed braces preferable.
Wear Fixed Braces
The average fixed brace treatment takes 12-24 months depending on the individual case complexity. Simpler cases involving only minor tooth adjustments may clear braces in 12 months. More complex treatments requiring jaw expansion or serious crowding correction often span 18-24 months.
Completing the full prescribed treatment time is important to ensure stable and lasting results. Teeth continue shifting subtly for some time after braces come off. Retainers like clear plastic aligners or wires must be worn long-term at night to maintain the new teeth positions. Following the orthodontist’s timeline results in the straightest, healthiest smile.
Are Clear Aligners Right For You?
Clear aligner therapy with aligners like Invisalign may be a good option for mild-moderate cases not requiring extractions or complicated tooth movement. If only minor crowding exists and the patient wants a more discreet treatment, aligners could work.
Aligners are a good choice for older teenagers and adults who want to straighten teeth without metal braces being visible. They are removable, so oral hygiene and chewing are less impacted. However, aligners have limitations in complexity they can treat versus fixed appliances.
Clear Aligners Straighten Teeth
Clear aligners work similarly to fixed braces but use clear plastic trays instead of wires and brackets. A series of aligners is created based on the patient’s initial records and desired final results. Each aligner is worn for 10-14 days, applying constant light force as teeth move into position.
As one aligner is switched for the next in the sequence, teeth are guided into a slightly different spot. Wearing aligners 20+ hours a day, and swapping them out on schedule, slowly realigns the teeth using accumulated small shifts over many tray changes. Regular checkups track bite adjustments.
Clear Aligners Be Used
Clear aligners are often recommended for finishing fixed brace treatment to refine the final result. They can also treat minor spacing or crowding when teeth can shift with minimal rotation. Past adolescence, when teeth are close to adult positions, clear aligners stand the best chance of success.
Good candidates have healthy teeth/gums and will wear aligners consistently as prescribed. Complex bite issues or serious irregularities may require fixed appliances instead. Aligners work best with patient cooperation and when realistic about treating minor imperfections rather than major reconstruction.
Pros Of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are discreet and removable. Patients can eat most foods while wearing aligners, maintain good oral hygiene, and address aligners less frequently versus braces. Treatment may be quicker for minor cases. Some people find aligners more comfortable than fixed braces.
Clear aligners often cost less than braces and don’t require monthly orthodontist visits. The plastic is tooth-colored and nearly invisible. Adjustments can be made remotely with new aligners. They are a great option for teens, professionals, and anyone wanting less noticeable treatment.
Cons Of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners may not work as well for more complex dental alignments over long treatment times compared to braces. Patients must diligently wear aligners over 20 hours daily or results will lag. It can be easy to loose or break retainers.
Regular orthodontist visits are still required with aligners, and additional aligners or adjustments may incur extra costs compared to one fixed appliance fee. Aligners may cause temporary tooth soreness. Success rates are higher with fixed braces for serious issues like extractions or crossbites. Full cooperation and follow through is needed to achieve the desired results.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are bonded to the back side of the teeth rather than the front. This placement makes the wires and brackets nearly invisible when smiling or talking. Lingual braces can subtly align teeth without drawing outward attention like traditional fronts braces.
They require working from the inside of the mouth where access is limited. Lingual braces are therefore more complex to apply and adjust. Patients and orthodontists must work around a tongue that occupies space on the lingual tooth surfaces.
Lingual Braces Different Than Regular Braces
Instead of being glued to the front of teeth, lingual braces use brackets that are specially designed to adhere to the tongue-facing side. The archwires and elastic threads that normally lie below and in front of teeth are positioned above them on the lingual side.
Changes to the teeth occur from inside the oral cavity rather than visibly from outside. Lingual braces preserve a person’s normal facial appearance and smile without metal visible when speaking or eating. However, their placement makes treatment less convenient.
Choose Lingual Braces Over Other Kinds Of Braces
5 easy short reasons to choose lingual braces over other kinds of braces
- Discretion – Lingual braces are nearly invisible, allowing you to straighten teeth without others knowing. The wires and brackets are placed on the backside of teeth.
- Appearance – Traditional metal braces can interfere with your smile and speech. Lingual braces preserve your normal facial appearance and smile without distracting wire.
- Occupation – If you work in a public facing job like acting, media, etc. lingual braces help you maintain your appearance standards while straightening teeth.
- Self-conscious – You may feel self-conscious about metal braces drawing attention to your smile. Lingual straightens teeth discreetly without your braces being visible.
- Future aesthetics – Lingual braces keep your teeth aesthetics intact after treatment since no permanent metal pieces remain bonded to the front surfaces. This prevents potential need for future bonding or veneers.
Types Of Cases Are Lingual Braces Used For
Simple to moderate tooth alignment cases are most amenable to lingual braces. They work best when minor adjustments are required rather than large gaps or bites needing restructuring.
Adults are also good candidates as their chewing muscles and temporomandibular joints are fully developed to tolerate lingual hardware. Lingual braces will not work for people whose tooth and jaw anatomical structure cannot accommodate hidden wiring.
Cost Of Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are often twice as expensive as traditional metal braces. Their greater complexity means longer treatment times also. The average cost range is $5000-$ 8000 versus $2000-$5000 for standard braces.
Insurance coverage for lingual braces is also generally less than for front braces since they are considered more of an elective cosmetic procedure than functional correction. The higher fees are due to specialized equipment, clinician time and longer treatment required for the delicate positioning.
Alternatives To Metal Braces
Ceramic, lingual, and Invisalign clear aligners offer less conspicuous braces options. Some patients try removable aligners first before considering fixed treatment. Others start with aligners then switch to ceramics or lingual braces for refinement.
Every case must consider each method’s appropriateness. While none match traditional braces’ effectiveness, alternatives let more people address balanced bites and healthy smiles discreetly depending on their need and preferences.
Ceramic Braces Blend In Better
Ceramic braces use transparent or tooth-colored brackets instead of standard shiny silver/metal ones. They blend into the tooth enamel much like clear aligners. Ceramic brackets don’t stand out as noticeably as metallic against teeth.
Made of durable crystalized ceramic, they match tooth shades and refract light differently than metal. While more subtle, ceramic braces don’t completely disappear or prevent identifying brackets when smiling. Their aesthetic goal is subtlety rather than invisibility like lingual braces aim to achieve.
Effective Are Ceramic Braces
When applied properly, ceramic brackets guide tooth movement with equal effectiveness and precision as acceptable metal brackets. Identical alignment results can be achieved if patients wear ceramic braces consistently as instructed.
Because ceramic is more brittle than metal, brackets can potentially de-bond or crack more readily from chewing impacts or accidents. However, advances make modern ceramic brackets very durable when bonded correctly and used cautiously at first during the toughening period.
Colors Are Ceramic Braces Available In
Traditional tooth shades like white and off-white aim to blend brackets into tooth edges. Some orthodontists also offer other dye shades like “pearl,” “taupe” or “night” tones depending on a patient’s preferences or existing tooth darkness.
Colored bracket options let matching different ethnic skin or existing restorations better. While not as discrete as lingual placement, ceramic’s tooth-colored tones discreetly align straightening teeth. Having multiple shades gives orthodontists tools adapting treatment to each unique patient’s requests.
Ceramic Braces More Expensive Than Metal Braces
3 short sentences about ceramic braces being more expensive than metal braces
- Ceramic braces use tooth-colored materials that look more natural than metal braces.
- The aesthetic materials of ceramic braces make them more costly to produce than traditional steel braces.
- On average, ceramic braces treatment costs around $1,000 more than similar metal brace treatments.
| Brace Type | Average Cost |
| Metal Braces | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| Ceramic Braces | $6,000 – $9,000 |
This table compares the average cost ranges for metal brace and ceramic brace treatments. It shows that ceramic braces are approximately $1,000 more expensive than similar metal brace treatments. The increased cost is due to the tooth-colored materials used in ceramic braces that make them aesthetically more pleasing but more costly to produce than traditional steel braces.
Frequently Asked Question
What Types Of Braces Are Available?
There are several options including traditional metal braces, clear aligners, and lingual braces.
How Long Do Braces Typically Take?
The average brace treatment takes around 2 years but can vary depending on the individual case.
Are Braces Painful?
Braces may cause some discomfort at first as teeth move but pain medications can help. Most adjust to it within a few days.
Can Adults Get Braces?
Yes, braces are certainly an option for adults to straighten teeth. Many dentists now see more adult patients than children seeking braces.
What Can Braces Help Correct?
Braces are used to align crooked, crowded, or improperly positioned teeth. They can also help position the jaw and bite properly.
Conclusion
The most common type remain traditional metal braces. With adjustable wires and brackets bonded to the front of teeth, metal braces provide thorough correction of misalignments over the typical treatment period of 1-2 years. Clear aligners like Invisalign are also widely used, giving discrete treatment through clear plastic trays that gradually shift teeth each two weeks.Â
In conclusion, braces continue helping both children and adults attain straighter, healthier, and more confident smiles. From metal to clears to lingual options, discussions with an orthodontist can determine which type of braces best suits an individual’s bite, budget, and lifestyle needs for achieving their ideal teeth alignment.
