Metal braces are the traditional way to straighten your teeth. They are bulky, not very attractive, and make it hard to eat certain foods. Today we have many new alternative types of braces. This is the good news. These new types of technologies have changed the orthodontic industry.
Ceramic Braces
They are more expensive than metal braces and are made of clear material that looks similar to your teeth. They take 18 to 36 months to straighten your teeth. Ceramic braces come in a variety of colors and are easier to take images with them on. They are less noticeable and do not affect your self-esteem. Sometimes they cause gum problems because the material is harder to brush and clean. Ceramic braces are easier to break than metal. They are recommended for adults that have all their teeth and no serious dental issues. The good news is that they are more pleasing to the eye and work similarly to metal braces.
Clear Braces And Invisalign
These braces are similar to metal braces and straighten teeth in a similar way. The braces are clear but designed like metal braces. They have a clear bracket on every tooth made of porcelain. The color is similar to your teeth. The plastic used is clear and the wire is usually white. This type of braces can be used to treat all types of dental issues: overbites, underbites, and even crossbites. Clear braces require avoiding certain types of food and daily brushing like metal. They look better than metal due to the color and material used.
Invisalign is a new technology that is very different from traditional braces. They design clear aligners that fit over your teeth and they change them every few weeks. Each aligner is made to move your teeth and straighten them. They can be removed to eat, drink, and clean your teeth. The dental office wi8ll make a digital replica of your teeth to make the aligners. Each aligner is adjusted to get help to straighten your teeth.
They cannot be used to correct severely crooked teeth. The good news is they can be removed for short periods of time but need to be cleaned. Teens that used Invisalign had an increase in their self-esteem of about 47% of those surveyed over those that wore metal braces with wires and metal that averaged 22%.
Veneers
When your teeth are damaged and stained, veneers are custom-fit devices designed to hide stains, chips, and cracks. They are helpful to those that do not respond to teeth whitening, retainers, and braces. Once replaced, they cannot be removed. There are porcelain veneers and resin-based veneers. They cover the front of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are described as thin caps that can be placed on the sides and front of your teeth. Some enamel has to be removed before it is placed on your teeth.
Resin-based veneers are similar to porcelain but less expensive. They require less enamel to be removed to be put in. They are easier to replace when they break than porcelain. Porcelain veneers last 20 years, do not stain, and resin-based veneers last about five years and need to be replaced. Veneers are used on adults who have all their teeth and seniors.
The Benefits Of Straight Teeth
For children and adults, there are many ways to straighten your teeth. Depending on your teeth, your dentist will help you choose the best method for your situation and age. Straight teeth are linked to improved digestion due to improved chewing. Chewing is important for digesting food and getting the nutrients you need from it. Teeth are easier to clean and keep healthy when they are straight. You will suffer less from infections and poor gums with straight teeth.
Crooked teeth can cause strain in the jaw and cause pain in the face and neck. Sometimes it causes headaches too. Grinding teeth and misaligned teeth often cause other medical issues. Straight teeth seldom crack or chip and increase your self-confidence. The good news is straight teeth improve your health. About 35% of adults have straight teeth.
When you visit your orthodontist to discuss correcting your crooked teeth, learn about the new options available besides metal braces that may be more suitable for you.
