How Do Braces Straighten Teeth?
Are you thinking of getting braces for your teeth? Then you may have some questions about how the process works. A common concern that some patients have is the way that braces straighten teeth. If you'd like to know how braces might work to move your teeth into better positions, this article will help you to understand the process.
Traditional braces and ceramic braces
Traditional braces and ceramic braces are similar in many ways. The main difference between ceramic braces is that they are much less visible than traditional braces because they are made of clear materials. Both traditional and ceramic braces move teeth with the help of brackets that attach to the front of each tooth.
Although your teeth are embedded in your jawbone, with constant and directed pressure, braces can gradually move teeth through your jawbone to a more favorable position. And as you undergo your treatment, your orthodontist will adjust your braces. For instance, they may adjust a single bracket to move one tooth in a particular direction.
Traditional and ceramic braces both utilize bands, spacers, archwires, and buccal tubes to achieve specific results.
Invisible
Invisible braces differ from traditional braces considerably. This is because invisible aligners are made of clear, medical-grade plastic, which makes them almost invisible. In addition, unlike traditional braces, which stay on your teeth until your treatment is over, Invisalign aligners are removable. This means you can remove them when it is convenient.
Each invisible aligner moves teeth a preset amount, and once that target has been achieved, you move on to the next aligner. The timescale for each aligner is usually a couple of weeks. But in most cases, to ensure the success of your treatment, you'll need to keep your aligners in for a set amount of time per day.
Like traditional braces, invisible aligners may also require brackets to assist with the movement of teeth.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are made of metal and orthodontists can use them to target specific areas of a patient's mouth. This is made easier by the fact that lingual braces attach to the backs of teeth rather than the front. And just like traditional braces, lingual braces rely on brackets to move teeth. You'll need to see your orthodontist every several weeks to have the brackets adjusted.
However, lingual braces can be painful if your mouth is sensitive. But with the help of orthodontic wax and time, you can gradually get used to wearing lingual braces.
Reach out to an orthodontic clinic like Poulson Orthodontics for more information.
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