The Seven Different Types of Braces Explained

Teeth play a vital role in life. They help us to bite and chew our food. They also play a major role when we smile. For people who do not have straight teeth, all of these activities may not be as good as they ideally should be. Therefore, biting and chewing can be difficult if teeth are not aligned correctly. As for smiling, many people feel self-conscious about it, if their teeth are crooked.

This is important because smiling helps us to feel good. If someone does not feel able to smile, they can begin to feel anxious and depressed. You can see why it’s so important to straighten teeth, so that they work as they should. There are several different types of braces that can be used for this purpose.

Metal braces

Using metal braces is the traditional method of straightening teeth. Metal brackets are attached to the teeth and connected using a series of wires and elastic bands. Over time, the bands are used to gradually tighten the braces, helping the teeth to align correctly. Metal braces are still the most common form of teeth straightening. They are also often the best solution when there is serious misalignment of teeth.

Invisalign

If teeth alignment issues are not serious, the Invisalign system can be a good method of straightening. This system involves the use of clear plastic aligners which are specifically designed for each individual patient. These aligners are fitted over the teeth and help to make subtle changes to their alignment. The obvious advantage of Invisalign treatment is that the aligners are difficult to see, so they don’t affect your appearance when you are wearing them. The aligners can also be removed when teeth are being cleaned, or when the wearer is eating.

Incognito braces

Incognito braces are designed in the same way as traditional braces and can be highly effective when used to straighten teeth. The difference between them and traditional metal ones is that Incognito braces are fitted to the back of the teeth. This means that they cannot be seen, meaning that the wearer is less self-conscious.

Ceramic braces

Ceramic braces are also similar to traditional metal braces in the way they are put together. The difference is that these ones have brackets which are tooth coloured and made from ceramic material. This means that they are not as noticeable as metal braces when they are attached to the teeth. It’s also worth mentioning that the ceramic material is not as strong as metal, so this type of orthodontics is not the best solution in some more serious cases of teeth misalignment.

Clear braces

In the same way that ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal ones, so are clear braces. The difference in this case is that they have clear brackets which are fitted to the teeth. These braces are a popular choice with many people who feel self-conscious about the effect that wearing braces will have on their appearance.

Damon braces

Damon braces are a modern version of traditional metal braces. Metal brackets are attached to the teeth and wires of stainless steel or titanium are then fitted through the brackets. The wires are self-litigating which means that there is no need to use elastic bands, and no tightening feeling every time a person visits the dentist to have the wires changed. This type of teeth straightening also tends to be quicker than when using traditional metal braces.

Invisible braces

Invisible braces are similar in design to traditional braces, but they are made from clear plastic and they are fitted to the back of the teeth. This means that this is a far less visible form of teeth straightening than that which uses metal braces.

Teeth straightening is a necessity for many people. The fact is that, over time, the shape of the human mouth has changed, causing teeth to become the wrong size for many mouths, leading to overcrowding and misalignment. Now you can see that there are many options when it comes to using braces to solve the problem. However, not every solution is suitable for every situation.

Types of Braces at The Neem Tree

At The Neem Tree, we will speak to you about your teeth straightening needs and advise you about the best course of treatment. Take a look at the treatments that are available and make an appointment to have a consultation so that you start down the road to having straighter teeth and a more attractive smile.