Most everyone knows that braces are most commonly used to straighten teeth, but many people may not understand how braces work.
Traditional & Ceramic Braces
Traditional and ceramic braces are composed of two essential components:
- Brackets- Brackets are adhered to the surface of the teeth, shaped and angled specifically to the specific tooth’s structure. They can be made of metal or ceramic, depending the type of braces your orthodontist has recommended. Brackets are essential in order for the wire to be held in place for the proper movement of the teeth.
- Wires- Wires are inserted into the slots on the brackets in order to bring your teeth into the ideal and proper alignment. Wires are typically made of stainless steel and play the key role in forming a healthy and straight smile.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are much like traditional and ceramic braces and consist of the two components: brackets and wires. The only difference is that these are placed on the backside, or tongue side, of the teeth, and are less visible to others.
Clear Aligners
While clear aligners do the same job as traditional, ceramic, and lingual braces, they do not consist of brackets and wires. With the use of clear, acrylic trays, teeth can be straightened as with braces, but without the abrasions or discomfort that other braces can cause. While you will be required to use a number of trays in order to effectively straighten our teeth, you will be able to remove the trays in order to eat, drink, and clean your teeth.
While every patient is different, there are options when it comes to braces that will work for everyone’s specific needs. Consult with Dr. Alamir at Beauty Smile Orthodontics in order to determine which method is best for you and your teeth.