A dentist usually recommends braces to improve the patient’s physical appearance. Through orthodontic treatment one can correct crooked / malaligned teeth, crowding in the jaw and various other jaw abnormalities.
Following are the five types of braces commonly in use:
Type 1: Metal Braces/traditional braces
Type 2: Ceramic Braces
Type 3: Lingual Braces
Type 4: Invisalign
Metal braces/Traditional braces: In metal braces, metal brackets and wires are attached on the teeth. However, modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than the notorious "metal-mouth" braces that many adults remember. Plus, new heat-activated arch wires use your body heat to help teeth move more quickly and less painfully than in the past.
Pros: Least expensive type; coloured bands give kids a chance to express themselves
Cons: Most noticeable type of braces.
Lingual Braces: Lingual braces are same as traditional metal braces, except that the brackets and wires are placed on the inner surface of teeth.
Pros: Invisible from outside
Cons: Difficult to clean; more expensive; not appropriate for severe cases; can be more uncomfortable at first; regular adjustments take longer and are more difficult than with traditional braces .
Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are of the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they have tooth-colored or clear brackets and wires that blend into the teeth.
Pros: Less noticeable than metal braces; move teeth much faster than clear plastic aligners (Invisalign)
Cons: More expensive than metal braces; Brackets can stain easily if patients don’t care for them well.
Invisalign: It consists of a series of 18 to 30 custom-made, mouth guard-like clear plastic aligners. The aligners are removable and are replaced every 2weeks
Pros: Almost invisible; Patients can eat and drink whatever they want
Cons: Will not work for serious dental problems; only available for adults and teens, not children; more expensive option; can be easily lost and costly to replace; treatment may potentially take longer
Invisalign is very discreet. Best of all, you can take your aligners out to enjoy all the foods that would be difficult to eat with a fixed brace on. Just make sure you wear your brace for a minimum of 20 hours each day.
How do you know if you need braces?
If your child is getting regular dental visits, your dentist will be able to determine when it's time for minor intervention or a full evaluation for braces.
Here are some signs that a child is likely to benefit from braces:
⇝ Early, late, or irregular loss of baby teeth.
⇝ Difficulty in chewing or biting.
⇝ A dentist usually recommends braces to improve the patient's physical "orofacial" appearance. Through orthodontic treatment, problems like crooked or crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, incorrect jaw position and disorders of the jaw joints are corrected.
