Most people have options when it comes to the types of braces they are eligible to get. Unless your misalignment or bite are incredibly severe, it’s often possible to choose between two or more treatments and select the orthodontics that are right for your comfort level, budget, and preferred aesthetics. Your orthodontist will guide you in the right direction, but here’s what you need to know about the types of braces that are available.
Old School: Metal Braces
Metal braces have been around for a long time. They’re well-known, reliable, and it’s no surprise to see them showing up on teeth, for teens especially. Metal brackets and wires are the crux of this treatment and slowly but surely align both tooth roots and crowns. The hardware is smaller than ever and fun too when patients opt for colorful rubber bands as an accompaniment.
New School: Clear Braces
Clear braces are just like metal braces but far less noticeable. The brackets and archwires can be clear or ceramic, which gives them a tooth-colored appearance that blends easily into your enamel for reduced visibility. If you need braces that live on your teeth, this is the option that keeps things on the down-low while delivering the orthodontic alignment necessary.
Innovative: Invisalign
Plenty of orthodontic patients are thankful for the discreet nature of Invisalign braces. The aligners that make up this treatment are clear, thin, and removable. They put you in control of your orthodontics, but there are still rules to follow, including wearing the trays for 20 to 22 hours a day and removing the trays for all meals and snacks. Invisalign works just like braces, shifting teeth a few at a time until they’re completely straight, and treatment takes about half the time of conventional braces.
Simplified: SureSmile
Just as cutting-edge as Invisalign, SureSmile is an orthodontic technology that involves a 3D model of your teeth so individual tooth movements can be precisely designed from day one. This meticulous and efficient type of braces reduces discomfort, minimizes the need for a lot of archwire adjustments, and requires fewer visits to the orthodontist’s office.
For the Young: Phase One Orthodontics
Some kids are advised to start orthodontic treatment as early as possible, around age 7 or 8. No one is ready for full braces at this age, but this is the right time to correct jaw or bite problems – when the mouth is still growing and solidifying. This is commonly when kids who need it are fitted with an expander to make more room for permanent teeth and simplify future braces treatment.
For the Adults: Pick and Choose
Plenty of adults need to fix their misalignment or bite after years of discomfort, chronic tooth decay, annoying gaps, or relapse from previous braces. Whatever your circumstances, don’t be embarrassed to ask an orthodontist for advice about whether braces of any kind can help you feel better and look better without interrupting your lifestyle.
Whether parent or teen or child, if you think braces are in the cards, schedule an evaluation at Mariana Orthodontics in Monroe, WA.
