All About Braces To anyone who has never worn braces, they seem like an encumbrance, especially if they are made of metal and can easily be seen. However, things aren’t always what they seem. Actually, straightening your teeth with braces is a smart thing to do, as it can improve your future dental health as well as your facial profile. The following information elaborates on the types of braces used today and why orthodontic treatment can enhance your dental health, regardless of your age. Both adults and children can benefit from wearing braces. Give us a call if you would like to schedule an orthodontic consultation.Who Wears Metal Braces?With all the types of braces that are used for straightening teeth, you might wonder which patients find metal braces to be a good option. In most cases, we treat children from eight to 12 years old with metal braces. Kids love the variously colored ligatures or o-rings that are used to align the teeth during the teeth straightening process. Many of our patients choose ligatures or small elastics in their school’s colors. Therefore, they can show off their school pride while improving their smile. What Do Adults Like in Orthodontic Braces?Most adults don’t want to wear metal braces, as they prefer a more aesthetic, less noticeable teeth-straightening solution. However, that does not mean they won’t wear metal if it will help them improve a bad bite. Today, self-ligating metal braces are used that do not feature the o-rings or tiny elastic bands that older kids and teenagers love. Instead, clips and brackets are used for straightening the teeth and repositioning them. Therefore, the metal in your mouth is not as noticeable. Some adult patients prefer ceramic braces, as the braces are tooth-colored and therefore hard to detect. However, we have to be extra careful when ceramic is used, as the material can damage the enamel if it comes into contact with the teeth during removal. Also, the process takes longer, as ceramic is not as sturdy as metal. Moreover, because ceramic brackets are larger, they can trigger swollen or irritated gums. As an alternative, some adults choose metal lingual braces. These braces are placed behind the teeth, so they are not seen at all while your teeth are being straightened. What Are Orthodontic Alternatives to Braces?One of the popular alternatives to wearing braces is Invisalign aligners. These aligners are made to be switched out every one or two weeks and are made of a virtually see-through plastic material. You only need to slip the aligners over your teeth. While the process takes about one year to 18 months, you often see results shortly after use. The aligners, also called trays, have to be worn all the time, except when a patient eats and drinks or brushes or flosses their teeth. While the above information gives you an overall view of wearing orthodontic braces or similar teeth-straightening appliances, you need to contact our office to get a better idea of what to expect. Why not give Rendon Orthodontics a call at 469-956-5022. Now is the time to see how orthodontic treatment can benefit you. |
 Frisco12398 FM 423, Suite 100 Frisco, TX 75033 469-956-5022 Monday: 8am - 5pm Wednesday: 8am - 5pm Thursday: 9am - 5:30pm |
