08 Nov Insights from a Niles Area Dentist and Dental Office; How Do Braces Work?
Braces are used by orthodontists to treat several conditions, including crooked and crowded teeth, along with misaligned jaws. Generally, braces are installed during early adolescence, when they are most effective. However, we are recently witnessing a growing trend where adults are using braces to correct dental alignment issues later in life. In terms of materials used, braces can be made out of wires, ceramic, metal, and a bonding material that fixes them onto the patient’s teeth.
The Different Types of Braces
Different factors will come into consideration when determining the right type of braces for your particular situation. For example, your dentist will take into account your age and whether your jaw is misaligned. This means that each set of braces will be different. Your dentist may recommend a metal brace that is attached to each tooth individually, which puts pressure on the structure of your mouth using an arch wire. Braces will also need to be readjusted periodically as your teeth start to move into their ideal position.
The other main type of braces include:
- Clear braces made out of ceramic that are barely visible
- Lingual braces, which are positioned behind the teeth
- Clear aligner trays, which can be removed and placed back into the mouth, and which are not visible at all in most circumstances
You may have also heard of retainers, which fall into the category of aligner trays. This type of brace is generally used after you complete a treatment with traditional braces, and they are meant to preserve the new position of the teeth.
How Braces Reposition Teeth
When you exert pressure on teeth over a long enough period of time, they will incrementally change their position. The same applies to the jaw, especially at younger ages. This transition of the teeth is made possible due to the way they are connected to the jaw. We tend to think that there is a strong, direct connection between the teeth and the jaw, but in reality, the teeth are connected to a membrane, which is connected to the jaw. When enough pressure is applied over a long enough period of time, the teeth shift their position, and the membrane eventually adapts.
During your appointment, you will feel little to no pain as the braces are installed. Then, for a few days after, you may experience some soreness that eventually goes away. As your teeth gradually shift their position, the braces will need to be readjusted in order to exert the right amount of pressure, which will bring back the sensation of soreness for another couple of days.
Treatment length will vary from person to person, and it will be determined by the severity of the patient’s condition and the type of braces used. In general, you can expect to wear braces for one to three years. This duration may be reduced if you follow the instructions of your orthodontist carefully.
Getting Braces in Niles, Illinois Dentist and Dentist Office
Braces can be very effective at aligning the teeth and the jawline of children, adolescents, and adults. They are slow acting, almost completely painless, and thanks to new materials and development techniques, they can also be barely visible. If you would like to fix any teeth or jaw alignment issues for yourself or one of your children, contact us today. The Dental Innovations team provides a variety of dental and orthodontic services, including teeth straightening in Niles. You can also get in touch with our office if you have any questions regarding the process, your various options, and pricing. We are always glad to help!