Walking into an orthodontist’s office for the first time can be a bit daunting when you’re suddenly met with a whole bunch of options you don’t really understand. And it gets even worse when you’ve no idea what all those terms mean, or how the different methods even work. To be honest, most people are just looking for a simple answer, what’ll fix my problem, how long will it take, what’s it going to look like, and how much is it going to cost? At Marrecau Orthodontics we want to make sure you know your stuff about the different types of braces and feel confident in the choice you make. Early orthodontic treatment identifies bite or spacing issues before they become more complex. By starting early, we can guide jaw growth and create space for permanent teeth. Early treatment promotes a healthy, balanced smile that lasts.
When most people think of orthodontic treatment, the first thing that springs to mind is metal braces. They’ve been around for ages and are still one of the top choices for fixing bite problems and straightening your teeth. It works like this, a wire runs through little metal brackets which are stuck to the front of each tooth, and this holds all the brackets together. At each appointment, we’ll swap out the wire for one that applies gentle pressure on your teeth which eventually moves them into the right position. It’s worth noting that modern metal braces are now so much smaller and more comfortable than the ones we used to have. As an added bonus, many younger patients love customising the coloured elastic bands that hold the wire in place, so they can switch up their look and match their colours at every appointment.
Ceramic braces are pretty much the same idea as metal braces, but rather than having noticeable metal brackets, they have clear or tooth-coloured ones. And you can even get wires that match the colour of your teeth too! So if you’re looking for a more discreet option, these might be the way to go, especially for teenagers and adults who don’t want their treatment to be too obvious. Yes, they’re a bit more delicate than metal, so you do have to be a bit more gentle with them. And they usually come with a bit of a higher price tag. That being said, a lot of our patients think the extra aesthetic benefits throughout their treatment are well worth the extra cash. Adult orthodontic treatment helps improve both oral health and appearance with subtle solutions like Invisalign and clear braces. Many adults choose treatment to gain confidence and a healthier smile that fits their lifestyle.
Clear aligners are a whole different ball game when it comes to moving your teeth. You get a series of custom-made clear plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth instead of ugly brackets and wires. You swap out each tray every one to two weeks and they slowly nudge your teeth into place. One of the best things about them is how discreet they are, nearly invisible to the naked eye and easy to pop out for a snack or a brush. The downside is they only work if you wear them for at least 22 hours a day, so self-discipline is key. Clear aligners are usually a great option, but they’re not always the way to go for the really complicated cases.
Lingual braces are a low-key option since you attach the brackets and wire to the back of your teeth, so they’re hidden from view. This makes them perfect for anyone who can’t rock out the classic metal look, whether it’s for work or just general confidence. The technology itself is pretty similar to regular braces, but getting them on right calls for some special knowledge and custom parts. Lingual braces are gonna cost you a little more, and you might experience some discomfort when you first get them in, your tongue might feel funny too.
Self-ligating braces are pretty much like regular braces, but instead of elastics, they use little clips to keep the wire in place. Simple change, but one that can really cut down on friction, and that means shorter trips to the dentist. You can get them in metal or ceramic and they work great for most people. The end result is pretty much the same as traditional braces, it’s just the way they get there that’s different.
Palatal expanders are a pretty unusual tool, they’re mainly used for youngsters with jaws that are too narrow. The device rests on the roof of your mouth and gently pushes forward to widen the upper jaw. This makes more space for your teeth and makes the top and bottom jaw fit together better. One good reason to get your kid in early for ortho assessments is that expansion works best when they’re still growing. Once the expansion is done, they’ll probably need some traditional braces to get their teeth sorted in the new jaw space.
Retainers aren’t technically braces, but they’re super important for keeping your teeth in line after the actual treatment is done. We give every patient a retainer after they’re done with braces or clear aligners, and you gotta wear them as directed to keep your smile looking sharp long-term. There’s detachable and fixed retainers, we can help you figure out which one is right for you. Wearing a retainer for life, or at least at night, helps keep your teeth from creeping back to their old spot.
When we’re picking out the right type of braces for you, we look at a few key things. We take a hard look at how bad your ortho problems are because some need the precision of certain types of braces. Where you’re at in life is pretty important too, your age, how far your teeth have developed, all that stuff. Your job, hobbies and day-to-day routine all play a role in figuring out which way to go.
For a lot of folks, aesthetics is a big consideration, some people don’t mind visible braces at all, it’s all about how well they work and how much they cost. Other people want to keep it on the down-low and are willing to pay a bit more or put up with some quirks to do so. The price of course also plays a big part in the decision.
We don’t push patients here at Marrecau Orthodontics to go with one option over the other. What we do is take a look at what you need, weigh the pros and cons of each type, and pick the one that’s gonna work best for you. We give you the lowdown based on our expertise, but we also listen to your worries and what you’re comfortable with. The best treatment is one that works great and fits your lifestyle.
The right kind of braces for the right case and proper care and maintenance throughout the whole process is crucial for the success of treatment. We’re with you every single step of the way, keeping an eye on how you’re doing, tweaking things as needed, and making sure you stay on course so you can get that healthy, beautiful smile that you’ve always wanted. In Parkland, we’ve helped lots of people with all sorts of braces, and every single one of them worked out great, so long as we got the right one for the individual. We’d be thrilled if you’d come on down and set up a consultation appointment so we can take a gander at your particular situation, show you some examples of the different options, answer all your questions, and help you pick the perfect style of braces that’ll suit you best.