If you are thinking of getting braces but find yourself on the edge, this may be able to push you over to the braces camp. These orthodontic appliances have changed the lives of many people across the world by taking crooked teeth, gaps, underbites and overbites, and turning them into well-aligned pearly whites.
There are many different orofacial issues that can be dealt with by getting braces, regardless of your age. Different types of treatments are more suited for different dental issues and the best person to guide you through this process is your dentist or orthodontist.
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However, before you fix up an appointment with a medical professional, it is important to get a better understanding into what you are getting into. There may be a number of questions in your mind – what exactly are braces, how long will have to have them on, can they treat all types of dental issues, how much will they cost, and finally, are they really effective? It is natural that you may be a little apprehensive about spending thousands of dollars on a treatment without understand the kind of effect it will have. To help you in this situation, here are answers to some of your more pressing questions and concerns.
What Are Braces?
The term braces is used for orthodontic brackets — these are small dental appliances that help to move the patient’s teeth in a particular direction, primarily with the aim of improving the aesthetic and structural appeal. Braces are made up of two main components in most cases – the bracket and the wire. The first of these is applied directly onto the teeth of the patient using a medical grade bonding glue, so that it sticks well. Once the brackets are all in place, a wire is threaded through each of these so that the teeth can be maneuvered in a particular direction by your dentists. This is a highly technical job as the amount of force that has to be put on the teeth is very specific. Without proper care at this point, the overall treatment can fail. Therefore, it is important to see a dentist or orthodontist who has a lot of experience in the field and understands the individual requirements of the patient.
Condition of Teeth Before Braces
Braces can be helpful in treating the misalignment of teeth in patients of all ages. Some of the different cases that warrant getting braces are mentioned below.
- Crooked Teeth – There are many instances where the patient’s teeth grow in different directions, not only giving their mouth an untidy look, but also making it tough for them to carry out simple dental hygiene-related tasks.
- Gap Between Teeth – Many children have gaps between their teeth when they are growing up, but in most cases these gaps are removed naturally as the structure of the mouth changes. In more severe cases, however, braces can help in aligning the teeth and bringing them together.
- Overcrowding – In some cases, there isn’t enough space on the jaw to accommodate all teeth, which leads to overcrowding. This can cause some teeth to grow towards the back and some to protrude. This, however, can be dealt with using braces.
- Overbites – In the case of overbites, the upper jaw protrudes much more than the lower jaw because of the alignment of the molars at the back. This can damage the patient’s teeth in the long run and even cause pain in the jaw. Cases of overbites before and after braces are some of the most stunning.
- Underbites – This situation is the opposite of an overbite. Here the last molar on the lower jaw is in front of the molar on the upper jaw, causing the patient’s jaw to protrude from the lower side.
How Braces Improve the Look of Your Teeth
The first step in improving the overall look of your teeth and dealing with misalignment is visiting a good orthodontist. He or she will be able to gauge the severity of your problem by conducting x-rays and test for a clearer understanding. This is followed by choosing the right kind of braces for the problem. If the problem is just a minor case of misalignment, Invisalign can work efficiently to correct it. However, if the problem is more severe, you can choose between metal braces, ceramic braces or lingual braces, depending on the look that you prefer. Whichever the case might be, they’re always worth it – at any age – as you can see by looking at the before and after braces as an adult pictures.
The braces will be able to apply a specific amount of force on your teeth and jaw so that the teeth that are out of line can be pushed back into place. The braces will have to be left on for a specific period of time – varying from case to case – and the final result will be properly aligned teeth!
Some Limitations
Braces can make a considerable difference to your overall orofacial appearance but they do come with a set of limitations. The end result isn’t magic. You will have to work with your dentist or orthodontist to get a more realistic view of the end result. While braces are great for getting your teeth aligned or straightened, they cannot change how the teeth look. For example, you will not be able to change the shape of your teeth or repair any existing damage to the teeth or jaw by putting on braces.
To get the most out of braces, it is important that you maintain good oral hygiene from the very beginning. This will make the overall process much easier for you. If you are unhappy with the quality of your teeth after the braces are removed, you can opt for services like teeth whitening, contouring or bonding at the end of the treatment to get the best looking teeth possible.
Final Word
Braces can be very effective in improving your overall orofacial appearance by dealing with any misalignments or bite issues. However, even before you visit your orthodontist, it is important that you read up a little on the different options that are available when it comes to braces and aligners.
Braces aren’t cheap, so it is recommended that you also figure out your financial resources and check if your dental insurance provides any coverage for dental braces. There may also be other payment options that you can explore after your consultation with your dentist or orthodontist.