Four Types Of Braces And Advantages Of Each

Dentist Blog

Do your crooked teeth make you feel self-conscious when you smile? If your teeth cause you pain and embarrassment, it's time to do something about it. The first step is making an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist. Over 4 million people in the United States wear braces. So, if they recommend getting them, know that you are not alone. If you decide to take the next step in getting straighter teeth and a nicer smile, here are four types of braces and advantages of each.

Metal Braces

Known as traditional braces, these are the ones most people often think of when they hear the word braces. Thanks to advances in orthodontics however, wearing traditional braces doesn't necessarily mean you will have a mouth full of metal. The brackets on metal braces are much smaller than they used to be, which means they are much less noticeable. If you're thinking about getting metal braces, here are some more advantages of wearing them:

  • They are the strongest type of braces so they don't easily break
  • There are a variety of options available including different colored bands

Metal braces can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000.

Ceramic Braces

While these types of braces are similar in size and shape to metal ones, they are unique because they are actually clear braces that are similar in color to your teeth. Besides being less noticeable than traditional ones, other advantages of these clear braces include:

  • Getting tooth-colored wires is also an option
  • For some wearers, they don't irritate the gums as much as traditional ones do

Ceramic braces range in price from $4,000 to $8,000.

Lingual Braces

Sometimes referred to as invisible braces, these types of braces are placed on the inside surfaces of the teeth. Because these types of braces face the tongue, they can cause the tongue to feel sore. Lingual braces can also be more difficult to keep clean and may not be effective for severe cases.

The main advantage they have to offer is that nobody will know you are wearing them. Lingual braces cost anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000.

Invisalign

These custom-made plastic aligners can also be considered clear braces, even though they don't work like any of the above types. Although they are still able to do the job of straightening teeth, they are removable and get replaced every two weeks. Besides being nearly invisible, they also offer the following advantages:

  • Wearers don't have to avoid eating certain foods
  • There are no wires or brackets required

Invisalign range in price from $4,000 to $7,400.

For more information, contact a business such as Treasured Smiles Dentistry. 

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29 December 2016

Think Twice Before Rationing That Halloween Candy

Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.