Traditional Braces

In the world of orthodontia, there are more options for achieving a straight smile and gorgeous teeth. Many people choose clear options such as Invisalign and clear braces, and while they are less noticeable than traditional metal braces, they are not always the best options.

In the past, those who wanted straighter teeth had to have metal braces. While less visible options like Invisalign are now available, these options cannot help with every misalignment issue.

Because of this, traditional metal braces are still used in the 21st century, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. In terms of effectiveness, nothing can quite beat metal braces. They work the best for severe alignment and overcrowding issues. 

Traditional braces consist of metal brackets and wires that use force to move teeth. While today’s metal braces may involve smaller brackets and clear wires, they still work the same way. In some cases, the wires are heat-activated, allowing teeth to move quickly and with less pain. 

While many teens are embarrassed by metal braces, many kids actually like them. The rubber bands on the brackets can be customized with different colors. These rubber bands can be changed at every appointment to match certain outfits or celebrate holidays and special events. 

The team at Galleria Dental can help you choose the right orthodontic appliances for your teeth. This dental office offers services to patients of all ages. You can benefit from straighter teeth at any age. Request a free consultation today to learn more about traditional braces. 

Braces for Adults

While teens are most likely to get braces, not everyone is able to get braces at this age. Therefore, some people wait until they are older. You’re never too old to get braces. Even as an adult, braces are beneficial in many ways. They improve the function of your mouth, allowing you to chew and bite better. They also improve confidence and self-esteem. They can also improve your overall oral health.

Braces can also prevent future oral health issues. They help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, bone loss, the wearing of the surface of the teeth and chewing difficulties.

Pros and Cons of Metal Braces

Traditional braces have many benefits. The first aspect to consider is the price. Metal braces are less expensive than Invisalign and other options. Also, they work well for serious alignment issues and overcrowding. Another upside is that dentists can better control the alignment with braces. They can add rubber bands and special wires to control the movement of certain teeth a little bit at a time. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, involve factory-made aligners with no wiggle room. It can hard to set the alignment without attachments.

Braces can also be more convenient than aligners. Aligners are removable, which means they can be easily be misplaced. Braces are cemented in place until the dentist remove them.

The main disadvantage of traditional braces is the appearance. While metal braces are more visually appealing these days, the metal brackets are still very noticeable and teens can suffer self-esteem issues if their peers resort to calling them named such as “metal mouth” or “railroad tracks.” Because of this, many teens prefer Invisalign’s clear aligners. 

Also, traditional braces can be hard to clean. Brushing and flossing are more difficult with the brackets and wires in the way. This can lead to tooth decay. Invisalign users remove their trays, resulting in cleaner teeth.

Caring for Your Braces

Taking care of traditional braces can be challenging. They require special care because they can break easily. Certain foods, such as hard, crunchy and chewy foods, can damage these braces. You’ll need to avoid certain foods, such as candy, chips, caramel, and taffy. It’s also a good idea to cut up meat and other large pieces of food.  

Proper brushing and flossing are very important with traditional braces. Your dentist will supply you with special flossers, toothpaste and other equipment tools to keep your teeth clean and free of debris.

With traditional braces, you will likely need to visit your dentist once a month. Be sure to keep all your appointments. Each visit is important to ensure your teeth are progressing.  

Contact Us

Traditional braces are a good choice for people of all ages. Whether you’re a teen or adult, you can make your teeth straighter with the help of metal braces. 

There are several options for teeth alignment, but nothing beats the effectiveness of metal braces. They may be more noticeable than other options, but they work very well, especially for those with severe alignment issues. Our team can help you achieve a gorgeous smile. Request a free consultation today to see what options are available to straighten your teeth.