If your dentist has told you that several of your teeth need straightening, you may think that traditional braces are your only option. But the truth is, there are several types of methods dentists use to straighten teeth, and depending on your budget and the amount of aligning your teeth need, you may be not have to walk around with a mouth full of silver metal:
Traditional Braces -- Dentists refer to traditional braces as orthodontic braces, which are made with metal wires that are inserted to the front of your teeth and held in place with brackets. As your teeth begin to straighten, your orthodontist will tighten the braces to speed up the rate of alignment. Traditional braces are placed on the front of your teeth, unlike lingual braces, which are placed on the back of your teeth and are not visible.
Lingual Braces -- Lingual braces work the same way as traditional orthodontic braces, but they are attached to the back surface of your teeth instead of the front. Many patients who choose lingual braces complain that these braces are very uncomfortable, but they are a good option for people who don't want their smile marred by visible metal. Similar to orthodontic braces, lingual braces are permanent and can't be taken out.
Invisible Braces -- Invisible braces, also known as clear aligners, have become increasingly popular over the past few years. The most well-known clear aligners are the Invisalign brand, but most clear aligners work the same way. Your orthodontist inputs information from X-rays into a computer, which creates a 3D rendering of the aligners.
Then your orthodontist takes an impression of your mouth, and creates a set of clear, customized aligners, which are changed every two weeks as your teeth straighten. Depending on the amount of straightening your teeth need, you may receive as many as 20 aligners, with each computer-designed to be worn when your teeth reach a certain level of alignment. The advantage of clear aligners is that they are removable.
Inman Aligner -- Inman aligners are a combination of lingual braces and clear aligners. Inman aligners are used to straighten front teeth. They feature a set of clear aligners with a small metal bar across the front. They are removable like clear aligners, but they are more affordable than clear aligners. These are a good option if your front teeth need straightening and you want to reduce the amount of metal that shows when you smile.
To learn more, contact a company like Macquarie Dental.
Share29 June 2015
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
