If misaligned teeth and unsightly gaps are sapping your confidence, orthodontic treatments are the perfect solution. Relatively non-invasive and easy to fit, orthodontic treatments like retainers and braces can help straighten an uneven smile in a relatively short period of time. As well as the cosmetic benefits of better-aligned teeth, a restored smile can also improve your overall dental health. Thinking you might need braces? Considering a clear aligner as an alternative? Let’s take a closer look at what treatments are readily available and how they work.
Metal and Ceramic Braces
Metal braces are among the most popular types of orthodontic treatment and a staple treatment at many an orthodontist in Montreal. These braces feature metal brackets that are firmly attached to the front of your teeth, applying slight pressure that realigns them over time. While treatment duration can be long, metal braces typically deliver desirable results and can be used to rectify even the most misaligned teeth. However, while they’re effective and hard-wearing, metal braces aren’t the most comfortable of orthodontics, and keeping them clean can prove difficult.
Searching for a more natural-looking solution than metal braces? Ceramic braces are worth a second look. While they function in much the same way as regular braces, they’re designed a little differently. Here, ceramic material is used to create the brackets, which are largely indistinguishable from the whites of your teeth. An obvious choice if you don’t want people to know you’re wearing orthodontics, ceramic braces can be an effective option. Unfortunately, they can cost significantly more than metal ones.
Alternatives to Traditional Braces
If an obvious mouthful of metal doesn’t appeal, and ceramic braces still aren’t discreet enough for your liking, there are some alternatives out there. Lingual braces, otherwise known as hidden braces, are the perfect substitute for their metal and ceramic counterparts if you’re looking for a clear smile without all those brackets and wires on show for all to see. While they’re made from the same materials and still function like standard braces, lingual braces are fixed to the rear side of the teeth, making them more or less invisible.
While they’re a good choice for those worried about their self-esteem, lingual braces do come with some downsides. For starters, more adjustments are required over the course of treatment. They’re also not always readily available at every dental practice. Finally, they’re a relatively expensive option, especially when compared to everyday braces.
Worried about comfort and that your braces will be too restrictive? Self-ligating braces are something to consider. These braces do away with elastic bands and wires, with sliding clips instead used to hold the braces in place. As well as being easier to maintain, self-ligating braces allow for more freedom of movement, making it easier to eat. They also require fewer adjustments, meaning you’ll be spending less time in the dentist’s chair.
Orthodontics for Less Severe Cases
Just because your braces have been removed, doesn’t mean your treatment is over. Many patients need to wear retainers afterwards to ensure misaligned teeth don’t return to their old position. Retainers come in both permanent and removable varieties, with some patients encouraged to wear both during their treatment. Like lingual braces, permanent retainers are attached to the rear of the teeth, making them a discreet option. While they’re designed to stop teeth shifting in the short term, a dentist may advise a patient to wear them indefinitely in extreme cases.
Removable braces are a more practical alternative. They can be removed freely at any time, making them a comfortable option that’s easy to eat with and clean. They also make staying on top of your dental hygiene easier, allowing for ready access to your teeth while brushing and flossing.
Choosing the Right Orthodontics for You
Misaligned teeth don’t have to be something you endure. Whether it’s a long-term metal brace, a virtually invisible lingual brace, or a permanent retainer to help keep shifting teeth in place, there’s an orthodontic option for everyone. With the right orthodontic treatment, it’s easy to fix this common dental problem, leaving behind a straighter, more confident smile.