Dental braces are used by dentists in orthodontic treatment for a variety of reasons. One of their most common uses, however, is in the correction of maloccluded (crooked) teeth or a bad “bite”. Malocclusion refers to when the teeth of the two jaws are poorly aligned and may be protruding over one another. While for some individuals, the problem may seem merely cosmetic and not problematic in a pathological sense, among others, malocclusion may lead to pain and difficulty in chewing or even speaking. Malocclusion may run in families or may result from injury to the teeth, thumb sucking or tooth loss.
Wearing a brace to correct malocclusion and reduce the crookedness of teeth as well as the excess space between them often results in better oral health. The realigned teeth are easier to clean as are the gums, so the risk of problems such as tooth decay, gingivitis or even tooth loss is reduced.
Ceramic braces — sometimes called clear braces — work the same way as metal braces. The key difference is that the brackets, wires and ligatures are tooth-coloured, so they blend in with your smile. Ceramic braces are still visible, but they’re less noticeable. One drawback to ceramic braces is that they’re more fragile than metal braces, so they’re more likely to break.
When you think of braces, traditional metal braces might be what you imagine. Metal braces use stainless steel bands, brackets and wires to gently shift your teeth over time. A dentist or orthodontist will bond (glue) a bracket on each tooth, then place a thin, flexible archwire over the brackets. Tiny elastic bands called ligatures keep the wire firmly in place. Metal braces are visible when you smile. You can choose clear or tooth-coloured ligatures to make your braces less noticeable. Or, if you’re feeling festive, you can choose brightly coloured ligatures.
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces. But they go on the back surfaces of your teeth instead of the front. Most people who choose lingual braces do so because they don’t want other people to be able to tell they have braces.
Sometimes called “invisible braces,” clear aligners are a braces alternative. Instead of brackets and wires, clear aligners use a series of custom-made trays to straighten your teeth over time. With these systems, you wear each set of aligner trays for approximately two weeks. Then, you swap those trays out for the next set in the series. Unlike metal braces, clear aligners are removable. But you have to wear them for at least 22 hours every day. You should only take your aligners out to eat, drink and brush your teeth.
Self-ligating braces look similar to traditional metal braces. The main difference is that, instead of ligatures (tiny elastic bands), self-ligating braces use a built-in system to hold the archwire in place.
Proper oral hygiene is even more important when you wear braces. Plaque and tartar can build up around your brackets and wires, leading to cavities and gingivitis.
Your dentist or orthodontist will give you a detailed list of instructions for taking care of your braces. But here are a few general guidelines:
