Metal Braces

As far as braces go, our orthodontic treatments for the many malocclusions and crooked teeth problems that exist today have grown to be much more varied than in past years. Though braces have existed in one form or another since times as ancient as the Romans, regular popular cosmetic use of dental braces has only become common in the last thirty years. It was in the millennium that orthodontics expanded to include various forms of braces beside those metal braces that we call traditional braces.

 

Why are metal braces so effective at straightening teeth? The answer is in the durability of both teeth and the appliances themselves. To understand the advantages of traditional braces one must know the various options that exist in competition with traditional dental braces.

 

Various Kinds of Braces

The purpose of all braces is the same: through constant pressure and guidance provided by a rigid appliance, the teeth are slowly moved into a shape and position that is both healthy and cosmetically becoming. Orthodontists provide this service over the course of normally a couple years, and following this the typical patient will be required to wear a retainer which helps the bone to retain a memory of the proper position of the teeth. In some cases the traditional wire retainer can be used as the sole procedure for slightly crowded teeth; therefore, retainers are included in this list.

 

• Metal Braces: Traditional braces are an appliance made up of metal brackets adhered to the teeth with a semi-permanent cement. Through these brackets the guiding wires are inserted and with rubber ligaments or elastics, the wire is held in place. Bands are used to also help correct bites.
• Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are almost identical to metal braces and use brackets, wires, rubber bands and elastics to provide the corrections to the teeth. Ceramic brackets are often much larger than metal ones, but are far more brittle and have less integrity.
• Invisalign: This brand name type of braces refers to a hard clear plastic trays that are custom designed for the patient and are worn in a sequence, changing the trays every couple weeks. These clear braces were intended for adult use but have been approved for teens as well as long as they can be counted upon to use the trays according to instructions.
• Lingual Braces: These braces are less common, perhaps simply due to a lack of publicity. They are in reality just steel braces that are attached to the back of teeth, providing both a more appealing look as well as the effective speed of traditional braces.
• Retainers: Retainers are not used for serious corrections, but for those that might need simply a little bit of guidance a wire retainer can provide this successfully. Made of hard plastic and a few wires, these retainers can last for years and are often used for many years after braces have been removed.

The Advantages of Regular Braces

In comparison to the other types of braces, it comes down to the advantages of metal braces as a very successful dental treatment that has been used for years. As mentioned before, the clearest factor in the success of these traditional braces has to do with their rugged durability. The materials used for all other braces, including ceramic braces, are not strong enough to withstand the pressures used during the orthodontic process of traditional braces. Ceramic braces are larger and far more brittle while Invisalign is often not a viable option for serious malocclusions. This is why other braces take a much longer time: they require baby steps for correction as opposed to the forceful strength of traditional braces.

 

Among the disadvantages of traditional braces, many people name the unsightly appearance of a metal mouth and the pain of brackets as they tear up the inside of lips and cheeks. Though these are undeniable side-effects of having metal braces, they are far outweighed by the effectiveness and affordability of traditional braces. The cheapest orthodontic treatment still remains traditional braces. Mouths also adapt to the metal brackets and many people find the inconvenience is far outweighed by the benefits of braces.

 

If you are looking to get your bite corrected, the traditional fashion still remains the best. And if you worry about the appearance of a “metal mouth”, almost all of us have been there. It’s really nothing to worry about.