What Are Braces?
Braces are fixed custom appliances that will straighten your teeth, correcting problems that include:
- Malocclusion is when your teeth do not fit together properly.
- Crooked teeth.
- Reducing or closing gaps between teeth.
- Overcrowded teeth.
Teeth braces have brackets that are bonded onto each tooth. Thin, flexible archwires are attached to the brackets. Small elastic bands called ligatures ensure the wires are kept firmly in place. Not all braces need elastics, as some have brackets that are self-ligating.
How Do Braces Work?
Every brace we supply is custom-designed and fitted by our orthodontist, Dr. Jacqueline Simons. Braces use continuous pressure to gradually shift your teeth and tooth roots into the correct positions. Dr. Simons carefully controls the amount of pressure applied to ensure your teeth can safely move in the proper direction.
What Are the Different Types of Braces?
Clock Tower Dental provides several different types of fixed braces. These include:
- Metal braces.
- Ceramic braces.
- Lingual braces.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces have stainless steel brackets, wires, and bands that gently reposition your teeth over several months or longer. Every tooth that must be moved has a bracket bonded onto it, and an archwire is attached. Elastics help ensure the archwire is correctly tightened.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Metal Braces?
Metal braces work extremely well and provide reliable and predictable results. They are ideal when correcting more complex orthodontic problems as Dr. Simons can ensure teeth are moved precisely, creating a beautiful, healthy smile.
One drawback of metal braces is their visibility. The metal brackets, wires, and elastics are visible whenever you talk or smile. There are various types of elastics available, including clear and tooth-colored ones. However, some people choose ligatures in bright colors, making a feature of their braces instead of trying to hide them.
Ceramic Braces
Clear ceramic braces are much less visible than metal braces. Ceramic brackets, like Damon clear braces, can be tooth-colored or entirely clear, so they blend in with your natural teeth. The wires used to power them can also be tooth colored, so the overall effect is far less noticeable than that of traditional metal braces.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Clear Ceramic Braces? Clear Braces vs Metal Braces
Clear braces for adults are a popular option, combining the predictability of metal braces with a more aesthetically pleasing solution. They are ideal if complex tooth movements are needed and work continuously to straighten your smile.
Some clear braces, such as Damon clear braces, have self-ligating brackets, eliminating the need for elastics and providing a more discreet fixed brace.
However, clear Damon braces tend to be more expensive than metal braces. Clear ceramic brackets can be more fragile than metal braces, so they may break. Because they are more fragile, treatment may take longer to complete as teeth might need to move more slowly.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are behind teeth, so they fit on the inner surfaces and are far less visible. They still use brackets that are powered by thin wires. The brackets must be custom-made for each tooth so they are thinner and more comfortable to wear.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Lingual Braces?
These braces can be a great option if you want a discreet teeth straightening solution. Because the braces are on the inside of teeth, they are virtually invisible and can provide great results.
However, they are a more expensive solution because the brackets must be custom-made. Lingual braces tend only to be suitable for certain circumstances. Not everyone will be able to have lingual braces. Another potential drawback is that the lingual braces can cause sore spots on the tongue.
We also provide a full range of Invisalign clear aligners. You will find more information about these on their dedicated webpage.
The Braces Process: What to Expect If You Need Braces
The process for having braces is very straightforward and is outlined below.
Initial Consultation
You will need an initial consultation and dental exam with our orthodontist, Dr. Simons. During this consultation, Dr. Simons will evaluate your teeth and jaws and may take digital dental X-rays and dental impressions to plan treatment thoroughly.
After your consultation and dental exam, Dr Simons can discuss potential treatment options with you in detail, explaining how they will help straighten your teeth and the results you can expect to achieve. She will also explain each option’s cost and the predicted time to finish your treatment.
Fitting Your Braces
After you have made your choice, your braces can be fitted on your next appointment. Fitting braces should be entirely painless; afterward, Dr. Simon can explain how to care for them.
Getting Used to Your Braces
It’s perfectly normal to have some discomfort for the first few days after having your braces fitted. Over-the-counter pain relief should control any discomfort, and your teeth will gradually settle down as they start to move.
Caring for Your Braces
It’s essential to care for your braces properly, and good oral care is even more important during treatment. Plaque and food debris can collect around your brackets and wires and, unless removed thoroughly, could lead to cavities and gum disease.
Dr. Simons will explain how to clean around the brackets and wires. You will probably need to use special tools like floss threaders, or you could purchase a WaterPik to help you clean your teeth more thoroughly.
What Happens If I Break My Braces?
Please contact us immediately if you break a wire or a bracket comes loose. We can arrange to have your brace professionally mended. It’s important to do this quickly so it doesn’t negatively impact your treatment plan.
If a broken wire is sticking out, use a pencil eraser to try to bend it out of the way. Use a small piece of orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum on the end of the wire so it cannot dig in uncomfortably. Alternatively, you can snip the wire so it won’t damage your cheeks, lips, or gums.
Getting Used to Eating with Braces
After getting your braces, it’s best to eat softer foods for the first few days until the discomfort wears off. At this point, you can add other foods to your diet, but you must avoid certain foods during treatment.
These foods include anything very hard, sticky, or crunchy. This is because these items could damage or break your brackets and wires. You may need to avoid very crunchy fruits and vegetables, or if you have these, cut them up into smaller pieces and chew them using your back teeth, where they cannot damage your braces easily.
Adjusting Your Braces
You must return to Clock Tower Dental regularly so Dr. Simons can adjust and tighten your braces and monitor your progress. After each adjustment, it’s normal to experience a bit more discomfort and tenderness. These sensations should be controllable with over-the-counter pain relief and disappear after a few days.
Wearing Retainers
After your teeth are straightened, your braces are removed. However, you will need to wear retainers. These are essential; without them, your teeth will return to their original positions. Retainers can be removable or fixed. Dr Simons will discuss which option will suit you best.
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded onto the inner surfaces of your front teeth, holding them in place. Initially, you will need to wear retainers continuously, and if they are fixed, they can remain in place for years.
If you opt for a removable retainer, you can gradually reduce its use after several months. However, you will probably need to wear it once or twice a week for life to retain the results of all your hard work straightening your smile.
Are You Interested in Braces?
If you are interested in teeth braces and want to learn more about orthodontic treatment, contact Clock Tower Dental to schedule your initial consultation with our orthodontist, Dr. Jacqueline Simons.