Thanks to the impressive evolution of modern dentistry, and orthodontics in particular. It is possible to provide effective treatments for functional orthodontic braces to correct misalignment of the teeth and straighten them, close gaps existing between the teeth and even provide cure to an irregular bite. These corrections are made with orthodontic braces. As a very rough description you can say that braces are kind of dental or orthodontic appliance. Which remains fixed to your teeth for a specific period of time.
It is important to mention in the ongoing context that once the braces finally come out of your mouth you have to be on retainers. Now you may ask why retainers especially after the end of the treatment? Retainers are crucial after the end of almost every orthodontic treatment to ensure all the good work done by the successful treatment. It does not get negated because of the natural phenomenon of orthodontic relapse.
One of the major reasons to undergo any orthodontic treatment is to enhance aesthetics. But it is important to mention that these treatments also provide long term improvements to one’s oral health. When you have misaligned teeth, you are always in the higher bracket to develop gum disease and tooth decay. How? Because the teeth are not properly aligned. They do not fit together in the mouth and are much difficult to keep clean.
This reason or condition itself makes you easily susceptible to developing caries in the teeth or gum disease. It explains a dentist in London having years of experience in handling cases with functional appliance braces. And so, it is important to correct the problem and ensure the teeth are properly aligned to each other. In the following sections of the post let us have an overview of the various types of orthodontic treatments that are available.
Invisible braces
Technology behind orthodontic dentistry has evolved a lot these days. And so, now you have options for braces that remain virtually invisible inside your mouth. This range of appliances of functional orthodontic braces is exceptionally popular across the society. It enables people straighten out their teeth in a subtle and discreet way.
There are lots of options in braces that remain virtually invisible in your mouth. Some of the options include the following –
- Invisalign
This is literally an innovative technology to straighten the teeth. It relies on a series of aligner trays to gradually bring your teeth into correct alignment. The aligner trays are custom fitted to a patients teeth and are made from clear transparent high grade flexible thermoplastic. You wear each aligner set for about two weeks after which you switch to the next set of aligners in the series. This is how your treatment gradually progresses with time. It is utmost important that you wear the aligner trays for at least 20 to 22 hours a day to secure desired and timely results.
Invisalign offers different versions of the treatment to cater to the specific needs of each target group. For example, Invisalign Teens is categorically meant for teenagers. This range of aligner trays has wear indicators. When you wear your aligner trays regularly to comply with the 20 to 22 hours deadline every day. The wear indicator gradually turns clear from blue. On the other hand there is Invisalign i7 treatment which makes use of the same clear transparent aligner trays to straighten the teeth as normal Invisalign does. However, the i7 treatment delivers its results in just three months and happens to be a reliable choice for dentists to correct cases of minor crowding.
- Lingual braces
Lingual braces discreet fit behind the teeth. In clearer words the range of braces sit on the inner surface of the teeth to facilitate their shifting into the correct positions explains a dentist who charges reasonable cost for functional braces. It is interesting to note that lingual braces have lot of varieties and each variety is suitable for a set of specific needs. Some variety is categorically meant to straighten only the six to eight teeth at the front of the mouth. Lingual braces are a kind of permanent or fixed dental appliance. It remains on your teeth throughout the course of the treatment. Once your treatment ends only your dentist or orthodontist is capable of removing it.
- Ceramic braces
Basically, these are brackets that come in the color of the tooth or clear transparent although the range of appliances is also popularly referred to as ceramic braces. This option has a much subtler appearance compared to the traditional metal brackets. Just like conventional metal braces these brackets too take about 18 to 24 months to complete a treatment.
- Cosmetic straightening
This procedure emphasises only on straightening only the six to eight teeth in the front that are invariably visible whenever you smile. In other it is correct to say cosmetic straightening has a more targeted approach. The procedure delivers desired results as fast as in six months. In comparison with metal braces the procedure is also much inconspicuous or discreet.
- Conventional metal braces
According to a dentist with years of experience in providing functional orthodontic treatment in London, fixed metal braces provide some of the most effective and reliable results and hence are an exceptionally popular option among both adults and teenagers alike to straighten the teeth. In this system the brackets of the braces are bonded on to the teeth using a wire which connects the brackets. Gradually this set up pulls the teeth into proper alignment over a course of time.
- Self-ligating braces
The range of braces is quite similar to conventional metal braces. However, there is a small difference – the wire remains fitted using a spring clip in these braces whereas in conventional braces elastic bands are used. The use of spring clip instead of elastic bands reduces the friction between the wire and the bracket to a large extent. Self-ligating braces are easier to clean and thus quite less prone to getting discolored. It also allows more teeth movement which in other words mean less potential discomfort.
Orthodontic retainers
Retainers are not any technical part of any orthodontic treatment although these form the crucial aftercare which is much required after completion of the treatment. Once your braces have shifted your teeth into correct alignment you must be on retainers to prevent the teeth from sinking back into their initial position, explains a dentist at 1A Orthodontics, London who provides removable functional braces at almost throwaway cost. The elastic fibres in the gum require some time to resettle and reform around each tooth in its new position. This is the reason why retainers are crucial to allow the teeth to stabilise their newly aligned position. Retainers are broadly of two types – fixed and removable.
