Types Of Braces And The Pros And Cons For Each Option
It would be nice if we were all born with perfect smiles. But given how life works, that would be way too easy. As some of us know, genetics and other factors can take our teeth in a totally different direction. The good news is that an overbite, underbite, crowded teeth, overlapping teeth or even misaligned teeth don’t have to ruin your smile for the rest of your life. Braces make it possible for you to achieve a killer smile — and the confidence that comes along with it.
Breaking Down The Different Types of Braces
While the goals of the types of braces on the market today are pretty similar, the way they look, work and feel can be very different. Depending on your situation, you might get to select the type of dental braces that you will wear. In more severe cases, you might need orthodontic hardware that’s a little more extensive. Ultimately, your orthodontist will educate you about the options that work best with your treatment plan.
So, what are the different types of braces for teeth? Beth’s Braces offers three main types: traditional braces, Invisalign braces and lingual braces. However, there are some other options that you might encounter as you’re doing your research. We’ll cover what we offer and tell you about a few other types of braces that are pretty common these days.
The Types Of Braces For Adults And Children That Beth’s Braces Offers
As mentioned earlier, Beth’s Braces offers three types of braces so our patients can get the smiles they’ve always dreamed of.
Traditional Braces
Mostly everyone is familiar with this type of orthodontic braces. Traditional braces are the metal braces with brackets that are adhered to the teeth. Archwires are fitted into the brackets to promote the straightening process. Teeth will gradually move along the shape of the archwires to get the desired results. Today, traditional braces are much smaller than those of the past. They also come in a clear ceramic option for those who don’t want to flash a full metal smile. And yes. You can still opt for colorful rubber bands if you want to make your brackets a little more fun.
Traditional braces have remained popular despite industry advances. Their popularity could be due to their affordability and the fact that they work quicker than other teeth straightening options available. They also are very effective for a wide variety of orthodontic cases.
The drawbacks for this type of braces for teeth is that they are the most visible option. They will also require you to take on a more thorough oral care routine to prevent plaque buildup, discoloration and other related problems. But if you don’t mind all of that and you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, traditional braces might be the way to go.
Invisalign Braces
Invisalign braces are completely different from traditional braces in the sense that they’re not a system of brackets and wires. With these types of braces for teeth, a doctor’s clinical treatment plan and a 3D scan of your teeth are used to create custom-made aligners that adjust teeth in very precise increments. With the Invisalign system, a patient will get a series of 18 to 30 customized clear plastic aligners that look like small mouthguards. The aligners aren’t bulky though. They’re made of thin plastic and they are trimmed down to fit your mouth and teeth perfectly.
Invisalign braces are a good option if you don’t want to spend a significant amount of time in metal braces. Most adults tend to like this choice for that reason. With these types of orthodontic braces, you can also care for your teeth just like you would if you weren’t wearing them.
The drawbacks of Invisalign braces are that they might not be a good option for more serious dental problems as the aligners don’t provide enough force or anchorage that are required for more serious cases. They also tend to come with a higher price tag because of the level of customization and the materials. Also, Invisalign braces aren’t made for kids. This option is only made for adults and teens.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces, or reverse braces, are similar to traditional braces except there’s one major difference. These types of braces brackets are placed on the tongue side of the teeth instead of on the front of them. The brackets are also made to specifically fit the back surfaces of your teeth. Lingual braces can be used for simple or complex cases, so if you want the functionality of traditional braces but not the visible brackets that usually come along with it, these types of orthodontic braces might work for you.
There are a few things to watch out for with lingual braces. One aspect is the price. These types of braces tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum price-wise mainly because they’re a highly customizable option and the materials tend to cost a little more. Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s will take some time to get used to wearing them because of their placement.
Other Types Of Braces For Adults And Kids
Here are a few more types of orthodontic braces that are available on the market today.
Damon Braces
Damon braces are passive self-ligating braces that don’t use elastic or metal ties. “Passive self-ligating” means that the brackets don’t put any pressure on the archwires like traditional braces. Damon braces utilize lighter shape-memory wires that move teeth faster and require fewer adjustments. These types of braces tend to be gentler and don’t require as many visits to the orthodontist. These braces are easy to clean and are available in clear brackets as well, which is very appealing to those who don’t want to wear traditional metal brackets.
The cons to these types of orthodontic braces are that they’ve been reported to be a little hard to wear at first and that they are a little pricier than traditional braces.
Temporary Anchorage Devices or TADS
TADS are small, dental implants that are made from titanium alloy. These tiny screws are used in addition to braces or headgear and usually remain in place for a short period of time. TADS are used to create stable anchorage for teeth that need to be moved around. They’re usually inserted into the bone of the jaw; however, the process doesn’t tend to be painful. It’s been said that patients only feel pressure in the areas where TADS are placed, but that pressure subsides within a day or so. TADS can help to shorten treatment time and possibly eliminate the need for rubber elastics or oral surgery.
The cons to these temporary implants are that screw fractures or soft tissue damage could occur. If tissue damage is experienced, it is usually temporary. It’s also been reported that the screws could loosen, but that is very easy to fix.
Let Beth’s Braces Help You Get The Smile You Deserve.
Beth’s Braces makes the process of wearing braces fun for the whole family. We utilize the latest technology, so you’ll always get a comfortable experience with quality results. To learn more about the types of braces we offer for the Las Vegas area, contact us today.
