Braces And Retainers

Those who whose teeth are crooked whether they came in that way, or were made that way from extended thumb sucking or pacifier use, often look for ways to straighten their teeth. Crooked teeth can lead to a misaligned jaw which can cause problems later in life. Dental braces, or orthodontic braces are devices that are used by orthodontists to straighten crooked teeth and align the bite. Getting braces most commonly occurs for children because the best time to correct an overbite, under-bite or cross-bite with crooked teeth is while the child is young and their bones are still developing. With examination by an orthodontist, future problems can be avoided with preventive care, and existing dental problems can be taken care of immediately.

Dental braces use force to move the teeth and direct the shape and realignment of the jaw. Dental braces are available as metal wire forms, ceramic or invisible braces. Each of these different devices acts in the same way.

Most kids when greeted with the news that they will be getting braces for their teeth are less than thrilled at the prospect. Much of their fear about the process is that they will look odd wearing wires in their mouths. Through the years orthodontists have developed some viable alternatives to the traditional wire braces, and there is now available invisible braces that do the work with no wires attached to the teeth.

Clear braces have brackets that are created from a monocrystalline sapphire making the braces translucent with the exception of the thin arch wire. Ceramic braces are also translucent so they mimic your tooth's natural color and they are stain resistant as well. These are a great alternative to wire brackets. But the most invisible option of all are the Invisalign braces. The Invisalign system is comprised of a series of custom fit aligners, which are clear plastic trays that gradually shift your teeth's alignment in two week intervals. So, every two weeks you use new aligners. So, gone are the days when getting braces meant living with a mouth full of metal for years on end. Now there are many ways that teeth can be straightened without sacrificing appearances in the process.

When your time of wearing braces is complete and the orthodontist removes them, you will receive a retainer, also called orthodontic retainers to wear to hold the new alignment in place until the bone's growth has been stabilized. Your orthodontist will prescribe the length of time that the retainer should be worn.

Teens with braces often feel embarrassed about having a mouth full of metal, but if that is going to be a huge issue, they might discuss some of the options for the less visible braces. Teen braces are often a rite of passage. Parents can help them to cope with the temporary inconvenience by helping them to focus on the future benefits.

More and more adults are getting braces now, and dealing with adult braces can be challenging, but well worth the time and effort. Your orthodontist will have lots of tips for you about keeping your braces clean and other issues.