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Metal Braces: Everything You Need to Know
1. What Are Metal Braces?
Metal braces, also known as traditional braces, are the most common type of orthodontic treatment used worldwide. They are effective for correcting misaligned teeth and crooked bites. Here’s how they work:
- Components: Metal braces consist of square, stainless steel brackets that are fixed to the front surface of teeth using a special dental cement.
- Arch Wire: An arch-shaped wire runs through each bracket, extending to the back molars. This wire follows the natural curvature of the jaw and applies gentle, constant pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into the correct position.
- Elastic Ties: Small rubber bands called elastic ties secure the wire to the brackets.
2. What Do Metal Braces Correct?
Metal braces address various dental misalignments (malocclusions) that can impact both appearance and oral health. These include:
- Overcrowding: When teeth are too close together.
- Spacing Issues: Gaps between teeth.
- Bite Problems: Overbites, under-bites, or cross-bites.
- Health Implications: Misaligned teeth can lead to gum disease, difficulty cleaning teeth, jaw pain, speech problems, and more.
3. Advantages of Metal Braces:
- Efficacy: Metal braces allow for precise teeth movement, especially in complex cases.
- Dental Health: Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of decay and gum disease.
4. Disadvantages of Metal Braces:
- Appearance: The metallic look is a common concern, but there are ways to personalize them (colored elastic ties or fun-shaped brackets).
- Maintenance: Regular adjustments and hygiene care are necessary.
- Comfort: Some discomfort during adjustments is normal.
5. How to Care for Metal Braces:
- Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss diligently to keep teeth and braces clean.
- Diet: Avoid sticky or hard foods that could damage braces.
- Regular Checkups: Visit your dentist every 6–8 weeks for adjustments.
- Wear Time: Follow your dentist instructions regarding wearing time.
6. Alternatives to Metal Braces:
While metal braces remain popular, consider these alternatives:
- Ceramic Braces: Tooth-colored brackets for a less noticeable appearance.
- Lingual Braces: Placed on the inner surface of teeth (invisible from the outside).
- Aligners: Clear, removable aligners without brackets or wires.
Remember, metal braces are a reliable choice, and their benefits extend beyond aesthetics
Ardmore Dental Orthodontic teeth movement
Orthodontic teeth movement can be done by remodeling of alveolar bone in response to the forces being placed on a tooth (braces).
Ardmore Dental Orthodontic removable appliance
Get a removable appliance which is custom made to adjust the arch shape of your mouth and solve the problem of cross bite.
Ardmore Dental Braces cleaning
Clean your braces at Ardmore Dental can keep your oral hygiene and help you remove plaque from areas that are hard to be accessed, to avoid decay.
Ardmore Dental Orthodontic canine movement
We offer to adjust the movement of canine which will at last make your tooth settle back into the centre of the socket after the treatment.
Ardmore Dental braces tooth movement
To get all your teeth in a desirable position, you need braces. The arch wire of braces can help adjusting your teeth slowly into their right places so you can have a perfect smile after all.
Ardmore Dental orthodontic movement
With orthodontic treatment, Ardmore Dental can improve your unsatisfying teeth by closing the gaps between teeth, allowing them to look neat and smart.
Ardmore Dental orthodontic teeth movement
Ardmore Dental is confident to change the appearance and position of your teeth, no matter how poor they are placed, to give you teeth like anyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Braces are purposely designed to move teeth through bones. It requires immense knowledge and skills to move numbers of teeth in a position and cause no harm to the surrounding structures. Orthodontic treatment is not only an installation of braces, but also involves pre-treatment and aftercare. It is depending on the amount of correction that you need. That is why it is expensive.
You can get an orthodontic treatments at any age. But the most ideal time to place braces is when all the permanent teeth has erupted fully. It will be more conducive for the teeth to get straightened.
Braces do not hurt when they are applied to your teeth. It will only cause some mild soreness and discomfort after the orthodontic wire is connected in the brackets and you might need to get prepared that the discomfort may last for few days to a week. It is because your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth. However, it is still depending on different person. Each person will gradually adapt to the discomfort associated with the orthodontic tooth movement.
You will have to wear braces for roughly 18 to 24 months. However, there are some cases that you might need to wear longer. Likewise, there are also some people who wear braces for a shorter period.
Generally, it will be between 18 and 24 months. You will start to notice the changes in your teeth as early as four weeks from being fitted. But average expectation of most of the people will be two or three months.