The Different Types of Dental Braces

Sumit Sehgal Dentist Jamaica, NY

Dr. Sumit Sehgal is a general dentist in Jamaica, Queens. He performs medical treatments for oral problems and teeth related issues. He has experience in taking care of teeth and perform various dental services, including dental exam or cleaning, composite restoration filling, implant crown and bridges, root canal treatment,... more

Braces are the best tools for aligning your teeth properly to look more attractive and symmetrical. Depending on a person's orthodontic needs, a dentist will recommend braces to correct one's smile or smile imperfections, including teeth misalignments and spacing. Today, we will discuss the five most common types of braces. 

Different Types of Dental Braces

Metal Braces

Metal braces are made from various types of metals. In braces, these are the metal brackets that are applied to the teeth and bendable metal wire that is threaded through the brackets in order to apply the pressure to the teeth. This pressure moves teeth into the right places. 

The brackets and wires used for metal braces were very noticeable due to their size, which can make a patient feel more self-conscious. Although now metal braces are far smaller and less noticeable than they were in the past. Many teenagers also like to choose the color of the rubber bands around each bracket.

Ceramic Braces

The brackets are made from clear, transparent ceramic material. The braces are less visible to others, which makes them a popular choice for adults who need orthodontic treatment. Patients wearing these types of braces occasionally find that the elastics become discolored, which can cause marks on their teeth.

Ceramic braces are more expensive than traditional braces because they are far less noticeable and offer the patient faster treatment. Even quicker than treatments like Invisalign. The brackets can be stained easily if the patient does not maintain a cleaning schedule. The ceramic braces and metal wires often had the same level of discomfort as traditional metal braces did.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces have developed substantially from earlier days. They are much lighter in weight and structure than they used to be. These braces are made from high-grade stainless steel, and metal brackets are attached to each tooth using a type of cement.

The brackets are linked to each other with a thin archwire, this puts pressure on the teeth to cause them to move slowly into the correct position. These archwires are then connected to the brackets using tiny elastics known as ligatures or o-rings that your orthodontist will change each time they tighten the braces. A few types of braces have brackets that don’t need o-rings, these are called self-ligating braces.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are very similar in appearance to traditional metal braces, but they utilize the clips rather than elastic bands to hold the wire of the brace in the place. Therefore, there is less friction on the braces and it is usually easier for the individual to keep the braces clean. 

These braces make it easier to increase control over the appliance, leading to more precise tooth alignment. However, they are more expensive and are very visible. This type of braces can be found in both metal and ceramic versions, but they are not the right choice for every patient.

Invisalign

Invisalign is the most distinct type of braces because they do not involve brackets and wires. Instead, they utilize a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners that are worn over the teeth. These aligners are easy to remove and replace with the next one in the series every two weeks throughout the treatment period. Most individuals require between 18 and 30 different aligners to achieve their desired results.

These braces are preferred by many patients because they are almost invisible and allow greater freedom to eat and drink. However, they are considerably more expensive and can only be used to correct minor to moderate dental problems in teenagers and adults.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces in that they are made out of metal, but they are attached to the inside of the teeth so that they cannot be easily seen from the outside. The best part about lingual braces is that they are virtually invisible and work just as quickly as conventional braces. However, they are custom-made and typically cost more than other options.

Palatal Expanders

Patients who have overcrowded teeth have two options to fix the problem, palatal expansion, and tooth extraction. Extracting the tooth was the preferred solution in the past, but modern orthodontists often recommend wearing a palatal expander for a period of time.

These braces fit your palate and apply pressure to the back of your upper molars to gradually move your teeth farther apart. This expands your palate and makes it possible for other types of braces to be fitted to correct the position of your teeth.

Damon Braces

As the name appears, these types of braces are popular among orthodontists due to gentler treatment and require fewer dental visits. Damon braces are self-ligating and use a slide mechanism instead of elastics to connect the archwires.

These braces provide faster results as the teeth can move without any requirement of adjusting from one place to another. The friction is less painful, and they are much easier to keep clean. Also, getting the demon braces is less time-consuming because it involves a shorter process.

Forsus Appliances

Children with unaligned teeth often require dental braces. When they are young is the best time to get dental braces. Few children require the use of forsus appliances to correct difficult overbites, and these have largely replaced the use of headgear for braces.

The forsus appliance is a spring worn inside the cheeks that attaches to the braces in order to adjust the upper or lower jaw into position. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get screened by an orthodontist to prevent and diagnose any dental issues. 

No matter what types of dental braces you want, see a dental clinic in Jamaica. It is important to get the correct information for you to make a decision regarding your dental health. If you are living in New York, you can call Radiant Star Dental where the senior dentist Dr. Sumit Sehgal will examine your teeth and recommend the best dental braces as per your teeth structure and level of misalignment.

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