Adults who have crooked teeth may desire to have their dental misalignment corrected. Here are a few ways to straighten the teeth.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces straighten the teeth using ceramic brackets, an archwire, and elastic bands. The bands connect the wire to the ceramic brackets, which are bonded to the teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces that have metal brackets, braces with ceramic brackets are barely noticeable in the mouth. The ceramic is tooth-colored and blends in well with the tooth enamel. Nevertheless, even though these braces are discreet, they still effectively straighten the teeth.
Since they are slightly more expensive than metal braces, ceramic braces may be used in conjunction with metal braces during orthodontic treatment. When used with metal braces, ceramic braces may only be applied to the front teeth. The metal braces may be used for the back and side teeth to reduce costs. However, the patient can still enjoy the aesthetic benefits of the ceramic brackets.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces include the same components as traditional braces. However, they differ due to the placement of the brackets. The brackets are positioned on the lingual surface of the teeth, which is the side that lies adjacent to the tongue. Thus, the brackets are hidden from view when the patient smiles or speaks.
The placement of the lingual braces offers multiple benefits. The patients can move their lips freely without the need to navigate around braces on the front surfaces of the teeth. As a result, the braces don't hamper the ability to play wind instruments. Additionally, the braces don't elevate the chance of a lip injury as the patient participates in contact sports.
Aligners
Plastic aligners are clear mouth trays that fit over the teeth and apply tooth-aligning pressure. A series of aligners are used during orthodontic treatment. The aligners are worn in a prescribed order to progressively straighten the teeth. Each set of aligning trays is used for a few weeks before the patient moves on to the next set.
Since the aligners are removable, the patient must be committed to their treatment plan. The aligners can only be out of the mouth for a couple of hours daily. Thus, the patient can comfortably eat and clean their teeth. However, if the aligners are left out of the mouth too long, the patient's treatment progress may stall.
If you suffer from a dental misalignment, schedule an appointment with a dentist or orthodontist in your local area.
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