A general dentist can help to address any teeth alignment issues your child is dealing with. Braces have been used to straighten teeth for centuries, and they remain one of the most effective ways to address bite issues. Braces work by applying constant pressure on the wearer’s teeth, gradually improving their alignment.
Braces are fixed appliances that stay in place throughout the patient’s treatment, which can be a good or bad thing. Braces being fixed in place means that they get in the way of oral hygiene and meals. However, it also means the dentist and parents do not have to worry about the teen wearing their appliance as recommended. Removable teeth straightening devices like oral appliances need to be worn for at least 22 hours daily for treatments to be effective. Teenagers are not always responsible enough for such a commitment.
Let us take a look at some of the types of braces a general dentist might recommend to fix your teen’s bite issues:
Metal braces are the most durable teeth straightening appliance, and they have been around for centuries. These appliances have two main components: metal brackets placed on each of the patient’s teeth using dental glue and wires connecting the brackets on each dental arch.
Metal braces can be used to address a broader range of bite issues than any other teeth straightening device, and they are often required to fix the most severe alignment issues.
The biggest drawback associated with metal braces is the poor aesthetics they lead to. The metal wires and brackets cover up a considerable portion of the patient’s teeth, so a mouthful of metal is all people see when they smile. That drawback has been enough to cause some people to avoid teeth straightening treatments, so they do not have to deal with metal braces. Modern metal braces are slicker and smaller than their predecessors a few decades ago, and they can be customized to suit the patient’s taste.
Ceramic braces are the subtle version of metal braces. These devices come with similar components, but the components of ceramic braces are designed with aesthetics in mind. For example, the metal wires and brackets are swapped with tooth-colored or transparent ones, making it a lot harder to notice the appliance on the wearer’s teeth. Ceramic braces can address many of the issues metal braces are used for, but they are not as durable.
These are the least popular type of braces recommended for teens, but they do provide pleasing aesthetics. Lingual braces are similar to metal braces, but the positions of the components are reversed. The wires and brackets of lingual braces are attached to the back of the patient’s teeth so they do not compromise their smile. However, lingual braces also happen to be the most uncomfortable type of braces, and it can take a while to get used to them.
Think your teen needs bite straightening treatments? Give us a call or stop by our Portland clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.cosmeticdentistoffice.com or call Rachel Cole DDS PC at (503) 248-1114 for an appointment in our Portland office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Clear Braces in Portland, OR.
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