Braces can address a wide range of dental problems, including overcrowded, crooked, and gapped teeth. There are different types of braces in North Carolina that you can choose from depending on your budget and compatibility. These include metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, self-ligating braces, and clear aligners.
Braces can help regain your confidence by giving you an everlasting aesthetic smile. Your Cary orthodontist will examine your oral health condition before recommending the right braces for you. Meanwhile, you can go through this blog to understand briefly about some of your choices.
The different types of braces in orthodontics
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Metal braces.
Traditional metal braces might be the first thing to pop into your mind after hearing braces. These are stainless steel braces made of wires and brackets to fix misaligned or crooked teeth over time.
If you have opted for the metal braces, your dentist will put a bracket on each tooth and fix a flexible wire to hold them tightly. To make sure these wires do not damage your teeth, ligatures, which are tiny elastic bands, are placed over the brackets.
Most people do not like these traditional braces because they are visible when you speak or laugh. However, you can choose teeth-colored or clear ligatures to make your braces less visible. Or, if you are not afraid to show your braces, you can even choose bright-colored ligatures.
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Ceramic braces.
Ceramic braces are preferred by the North Carolina public as they are less noticeable as they are made of tooth-colored material. However, they perform similarly to metal braces. It is just that they are less visible. Ceramic braces are perfect options for patients who want to straighten their smile but are not suitable for Invisalign braces.
Due to its discreetness and affordability, it is one of the most popular options for adults and teenagers. However, these braces are larger than metal braces and can cause teeth staining depending upon brushing habits and diet plans.
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Lingual braces.
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces because they are also made of metal. However, the difference here is that they are not attached to the top of your teeth. Instead, they are attached on the inside, so they are less visible from the outside.
Therefore, its obvious advantage is you do not have to think twice before smiling in public or at social events, as they are less noticeable.
However, the disadvantage is that they are not as effective as metal braces and take more time to get the desired results. They also come in contact with your tongue and may cause pain and discomfort. And finally, you may have a difficult time maintaining and cleaning them.
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Self-ligating braces.
These braces work similarly to ceramic and metal braces and are available in ceramic materials and metal. It also follows the same technique and relies on braces and wire to fix the misaligned teeth.
The difference between self-ligating braces and ceramic or metal braces is that instead of using elastic rubber ties, self-ligating braces use clips or doors to hold the wire in place. These can be adjusted very quickly, so you do not need to be seated on the chair for too long. It is an ideal choice for patients who are sensitive to pain and discomfort.
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Invisalign or clear aligners.
Invisalign or clear aligners are made of plastic material worn over teeth to fix a crooked smile. These are very comfortable to wear and can be removed very easily while eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth.
Since they are free of metals and wires, they do not cause any mouth irritation. However, Invisalign is quite expensive in North Carolina.
Visit an orthodontist today!
Having misaligned teeth may often stop you from going to public events. There are several ways to fix your crooked smile and boost your self-esteem.
If you have any queries regarding different types of braces, do not hesitate to contact your dentist. Schedule an appointment with your NC dentist today!