There are people who are not born with the perfect arrangement of teeth and thus aloof from the pretty smile. For those vast majority of children and adults, orthodontists (braces specialist) exists who deals primarily with malpositioned teeth and the jaws patients. Fixed appliances (commonly called braces or brackets) will be a major part of treatment and those braces mostly will be the familiar silver-metal type. But though they are quite popular, conventional metal brackets are not the only option now. Educate yourself on following different types of braces:
1. Conventional metal braces:
These are the most common and usual type of brackets made of high-grade stainless steel. Elastic or metal ties are used to engage wire to the slot of brackets in these braces.
2. Self-ligating metal braces:
Self-ligating braces are placed much like conventional braces, with the exception of ligature: No elastic or rubber bands or metal ties are present because they are not needed. Instead, special clips or locks are present within the brackets to help the archwire move your teeth into place. Thus, they are more comfortable with patients and less prone to cause oral ulcers in close vicinity of braces.Also mild to moderate crowding cases can be treated by them without removal of teeth, which usually cannot be done without extraction with conventional brackets. Once you consider the multiple benefits of self-ligating braces, it's easy to view why they trump traditional braces when it comes to straightening your teeth.
3. Ceramic braces: braces with clear or white brackets
These are less visible braces.i.e they are more aesthetic and cosmetically sound. Moreover, one can’t distinguish these braces from a very long distance. They are a beautiful alternative to metal brackets. But, they cost you more than metal braces and should be avoided in adolescents (more prone to bracket breakages) as they are difficult to repair if accidentally debonded (got loose).
4. Self-ligating ceramic braces:
Some most common questions asked by the new patients to orthodontists are about firstly the length of treatment and secondly, the comfort level they will experience in braces. The third is how visible will they be. These braces fulfil all the above three requirements of the patients. Increased comfort because of low-profile brackets and no ties. And less visible as they are clear braces. But they will hit your pocket more than above other braces.
5. Lingual braces:
Lingual braces are one of the "invisible" treatment methods that your orthodontist may have to offer. For the most part, they look like conventional braces that have been attached to the backside (lingual, tongue side) of your teeth. This hides them from being visible, making them unnoticeable to others. This is the new advancement in the field of orthodontics, so without hesitation ask your orthodontist about it as an option of treatment.
6. Self-ligating lingual braces:
Self-ligating braces have changed the face of orthodontics in a big way. These special braces are reputed to take considerably less time to accomplish the same task as traditional braces. They improve and simplify the lingual technique, reducing the treatment time, chairside time, and the mechanical difficulties.
7. Clear aligners:
Clear aligners are a great alternative for patients who want a straighter smile but do not want to wear traditional metal braces. Also, aligners are beneficial for patients with previous orthodontic treatment that want to make minor corrections to their smile. There are several advantages to using clear aligners:
a. Removable - so it is easier for you to brush and floss after meals
b. Easier to keep clean
c. Comfortable and less likely to irritate your gums and cheeks
d. Prevent tooth wear from grinding
Thus, the field of orthodontics upholding a quantum leap in advancement and today it is really possible to straighten teeth with nearly invisible appliances but what we lack is knowledge about the advancement in all different treatment modalities