What Are the Different Types of Dental Braces That Exist Today?

Even people in their elderly years desire to have straighter teeth.

Straight teeth not only look appealing, but they improve your dental health as well. They properly stabilize all of your teeth and you’re able to reach the full surface area of your teeth when brushing so you can maintain good dental hygiene.

But what types of dental braces are available to you today? Which ones work best for your situation? In this article, you’ll learn more about the dental treatment that works best for you to straighten your teeth.

Metal Braces

To straighten teeth, metal braces are the traditional choice and one of the most popular simply because they have a long history of working well.

Metal braces consist of metal brackets bonded to the teeth and held together with a metal wire. This wire shifts the teeth into a straighter position. Recently, dental technology released a heat-activated wire that uses the heat in your mouth to move the wire more quickly.

You can expect to wear metal braces for a few years depending on your situation. You’ll see your dentist every 4 weeks to adjust them to the next phase of your treatment. Metal braces are the most economical choice when it comes to dental treatments to straighten teeth.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces in that they bond to the teeth, contain a wire, and function the same. The brackets are made of metal, not ceramic.

This poses a few benefits, mostly transparency. Ceramic braces are not as visible as metal braces, but they’re more susceptible to staining from foods like tea, coffee, juice, or wine. They’re also slightly more expensive than metal braces.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are also like metal and ceramic braces, but they shift your teeth from the back and not the front. This means that you have complete transparency.

The brackets for lingual braces are metal. Because they set on the inside of the teeth, the treatment does take a bit longer. They’re also more expensive than metal or ceramic braces, and they may cause some discomfort due to your tongue consistently rubbing against the metal.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a dental treatment used to straighten teeth using clear plastic aligners instead of brackets and wires. One benefit of Invisalign is that the aligners provide some transparency because the aligners are clear.

The aligners are also removable, which means you can remove them for eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth. You will need to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day including sleeping. Invisalign can be comfortable and preferable for those who wish to keep their dental treatment hidden.

Invisalign may not be appropriate for all cases, especially if your case is severe. You’ll have to consult with your local dentist about if Invisalign is right for you.

Types of Dental Braces for You

The different types of dental braces treat different dental issues to give you the smile you desire. The best dental braces are the ones that help you achieve the smile you’re looking for

Having straight teeth is one part of having healthy oral habits. Visit our health page today to learn more about caring for your teeth.