Category: Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontic braces are, too many people, both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because they can help sort out problem teeth, align your mouth better etc. But a problem because, well, few people like wearing them!

In the long run through they are one of the most useful dentistry options available to give you the smile and teeth that you are looking for. In some cases it is far from just cosmetic – It is actually important to the health of a person.

What Do Orthodontic Braces Do?

At it’s most basic the role of the orthodontic brace is a simple one – to help teeth to straighten and line up correctly. This is achieved by putting constant pressure on them to force them into position.

This may sound a little crude and barbaric but it is far from so. The science involved in orthodontic braces is exact. It needs to be, too much pressure will simply cause the teeth to break rather than to realign.

This is achieved by an arch wire, as well as springs and bands, putting pressure on the teeth in a certain direction. With the right amount of force (too much and the tooth will break, too little and the realignment won’t happen) the tooth is slowly stretched on one side and compressed on the other.

This loosens the tooth in it’s setting, causing a small gap as it realigns. This gap is filled by new bone that grows to help give the tooth some support (this method is known as bone remodelling and is seen in various health fields).

Orthodontic braces used in such a manner ensure that we get a way out of dental issues such as over bite, under bite, cross bite and many others. It gives us straight, attractive looking teeth that look and feel amazing. So whilst wearing orthodontic braces may not be ideal they certainly get an amazing job done!

Ceramic Orthodontic Braces

Ceramic Orthodontic Braces. There are all kinds of braces available on the market these days – an available in all kinds of materials and colors. But one of the ‘mainstays’ of the brace world is the ceramic orthodontic braces.

Ceramic orthodontic braces are popular amongst all age groups – but especially with adults who can related the advantages (below). They were made particularly popular by Tom Cruise (of Mission Impossible fame, amongst many others) who used them to correct his own teeth.

Advantages of Ceramic Orthodontic Braces

So why should one look to use ceramic orthodontic braces in their own, or their child’s mouth? Whilst there are many other good materials for braces out there the ceramic braces have a number of unique and useful qualities including:

  • Tooth colored. It is easily possible to get ceramic orthodontic braces in a color that will match your own teeth. This can greatly reduce the visual impact of having braces, making many people feel less self conscious about their braces.
  • Hard to stain. As well as being tooth colored another major advantage of ceramic braces is that they are very, very hard to stain – even the tooth colored ones. This means that users have to have less of a worry about what they will be eating.
  • Affordable. Because the ceramic orthodontic braces are made from a composite of materials they are less influenced by the vagaries of the materials market. This means that they are able to ride over rises in materials costs that would see other material types become more dearer as braces options.

Of course this is not to say that other materials aren’t useful as braces, far from it in fact. It is just that we wanted to highlight 3 very good reasons as to why you should strongly be considering ceramic orthodontic braces.

Orthodontic Braces for Adults

For most people thinking about braces means thinking about teenagers – awkward, shy, spotty and with metal in their mouth. The idea of orthodontic braces for adults is not one that crosses their mind, and when it does they are appalled.

But for many people having orthodontic braces for adults is a reality that they have to face when they are ‘grown up’ (if we ever really grow up). But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be as bad as it is in your mind’s eye.

The odds are that brace technology has evolved considerably from what your image of it is. These days you can get braces with white or clear fronts, making seeing the brace almost impossible – or you can even have braces that are fitted to the back of your teeth so you are not able to see them at all!

Of course it is not just cosmetics that people worry about with orthodontic braces for adults – other medical considerations come in as well. Firstly you should never undertake a brace regime without a proper consultation or two with your orthodontist.

The good news is that adults braces are just as safe and as easy to use as ‘teenager braces’ are. They work in the same manner, stretching one side whilst compressing the other. Bone still forms to protect the moving tooth, so there is no concern there.

There is no reason that an adult who is looking to improve their teeth and smile shouldn’t use orthodontic braces for adults. They are safe to use and can produce some amazing results – there is a reason why many celebrities choose to use braces well into their adulthood – because they can make teeth look great, a vital part of their world!

The Cost of Orthodontic Braces

It is almost impossible to come up with a generic cost of orthodontic braces – there are so many variables to consider that giving you any sort of price list is next to impossible, especially with prices fluctuating all the time.

For example one of the reasons prices can fluctuate is the price of the metals and materials used. As the price of metal is in a constant state of flux so to is the cost of orthodontic braces. Better the for for us to look at what variables effect the cost of orthodontic braces.

Variables Effecting the Cost of Orthodontic Braces

  • The Material 1. The material you are using will have a great effect to bear when it comes to cost of the braces. Using platinum, for instance, is going to cost considerably more than using stainless steel.
  • The Material 2. Prices of materials are constantly changing – which can cause the cost of orthodontic braces to change as well. There is nothing we can do about this but it is worth being aware of.
  • Technology. Getting the latest technology costs in all walks of life and braces are no different. There are numerous high tech experimental braces being trialled at the moment, and getting involved can be expensive.For instance did you know that they are currently trialling a brace with a microchip that sense how much pressure a tooth needs. They suspect this will cut down the time needed in a brace considerably.

The Treatments/Adjustments. Obviously the more times that you need to see your dentist the more the whole procedure is going to cost. Make sure you are using the best possible dentist to cut down on potential visits (though quality also generally costs more).

Types of Orthodontic Braces

Contrary to popular belief there are actually many types of orthodontic braces that are available on the market. Each specific type of orthodontic brace has a different role to fill – so which brace is right for you is something for your dentist to decide after talking with you.

But just because you don’t do the decision making by yourself doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be aware of the different types of orthodontic braces available – for your own information and to help ensure that you are getting the best possible advice from your dentist (mistakes do happen).

Types of Orthodontic Braces

  • Traditional braces. These are the ones we think of when we think of orthodontic braces. They are cemented to the font of the tooth and are usually fix braced, though recent innovations means self-ligation braces are available and usually are more comfortable thanks to less friction.
  • Lingual braces. Whilst traditional braces may bond to the front of the teeth in lingual braces they are cemented to the back of the teeth – providing pressure that way. This is useful cosmetic alternative to those worried about the braces being seen from the front. Whilst a bit more expensive they work just as well – the main issue is simply that of appearance.
  • Removable aligners. In this sort of type of orthodontic braces the brace in question is ones that is removed at certain times of the day for ease of movement. The lack of constant pressure means that it is not as powerful for tooth alignment as the other two types of orthodontic braces – but it is still very useful, especially for those with only minor correction needed.

Once you have decided on the types of orthodontic braces the next step is to consider the material it is to be made from – remember this can have a big impact upon the price of the brace!