How Do Braces Work?

Once you decide to straighten your teeth, you may be wondering how do braces work? Braces consist of four essential parts.

These are:

• Ceramic or metal brackets are attached to each tooth.

• A bonding material attaches the brackets to your teeth.

• Your brackets are connected by a thin metal archwire to place pressure on all of your teeth.

• O-rings or ligature elastics are colorful ties for connecting your archwires to your brackets.

As your archwires place pressure on your teeth and brackets, your teeth will begin to move. Your dentist will use rubber bands or springs to ensure your teeth move in the right direction. Constant pressure is used by your braces to move your teeth into the correct positions as time passes. The pressure stretches the membrane holding the root of your tooth to enable your tooth to move into the right place.

Force can also answer the question of how do braces work. The force enables small movements of your teeth as time passes. The pressure is created and sustained by your archwires and brackets. When your archwires flex, the energy required to move your teeth begins. Your dentist places the brackets strategically, then ties your brackets to your archwires. When your teeth are close to reaching the ideal positions, calculated and precise bends are made using a different kind of wire.

Your teeth will move approximately one millimeter each month. You will need to wear your braces for six months to three years. The average time required is roughly two years. Another critical aspect of how do braces work is your retainer. After removing your braces, your retainer will ensure your teeth remain in their new positions. Without a retainer, the question of how do braces work becomes null and void. Your teeth may otherwise shift into their old positions.

Your bones and teeth need time to stabilize after finishing braces. You may need to use a retainer consisting of a fixed wire placed at the back of your teeth. You may also receive a removable plastic tray customized to fit the placement and shape of your teeth. You may need to wear your retainer all night, during the day, or just every few days.

Types of Braces

Another answer to how do braces work is metal or traditional braces. A metal wire passes through the brackets attached to your teeth. The wire is what applies the pressure necessary to move your teeth. Metal braces are frequently used for teenagers because they are the fastest way to move teeth and the least expensive type of braces. Traditional braces have improved a lot over the years. The braces are less noticeable and much smaller than in the past.

Invisalign is a system consisting of invisible aligners. With Invisalign, you can remove your aligner for both oral hygiene and eating. Your aligners are almost entirely invisible, and much more comfortable than traditional braces. You will need to pay more for Invisalign than metal braces. Invisalign is an excellent and flexible option if your alignment issues are mostly standard.

Ceramic braces were a popular option during the past. As for how do braces work, ceramic braces are different than traditional braces. The ceramic material used for your brackets is the same texture and color as your teeth. The color means it is a lot harder for anyone to see your braces. In many cases, your wires will also match the color of your teeth. The main reason for the popularity of this type of braces is the fact they are harder to notice.

Ceramic braces do cost more than metal braces, but you will not need to wear them for nearly as long. You must perform proper oral hygiene regularly, or you risk staining your brackets. The comfort level of the metal wires and ceramic braces is very similar to traditional braces. You will need some time to become used to wearing ceramic braces.

Self-litigating braces are similar to both ceramic and traditional braces because they use the same bracket and wire system. Although many orthodontists recommend self-litigating braces, many still have a preference for one of the more traditional types of braces. Self-litigating braces use either doors or clips secured to the wires as opposed to a rubber band system. Self-litigating braces will not trap as much food and do not cause as much pain.

You will not need to visit your orthodontist as often if you have self-litigating braces. They are available in both ceramic and metal versions. Self-litigating braces may or not be the right choice for your needs because they do not offer all of the benefits of more traditional braces. Your orthodontist will determine the best type of braces for your individual needs.

Lingual braces are almost precisely the same as traditional metal braces. The difference is they are on the inside of your bite as opposed to the outside. You will receive numerous benefits from lingual braces. This type of braces is just as effective as metal braces. You will not be able to see them from outside your mouth. Even when you open your mouth, lingual braces are much harder to see.

Lingual braces are a lot less intrusive and less noticeable than braces with the wires and brackets placed on the front of your teeth. Lingual braces are harder to keep clean because you will not be able to see your braces. You may initially have a difficult time talking due to lingual braces. There is a type of learning curve regarding the speech of every kind of braces. If you require extensive treatment due to severe orthodontic issues, lingual braces are not the right choice.

Lingual braces are not as popular as the other types because they are more expensive than metal braces. Your teeth will also require additional time to move into the correct positions.

Orthodontic Arts, your number one Orthodontist in OKC. Our Certified Orthodontist provides the latest and greatest Orthodontic practices to our clients in the OKC and Midtown area. Orthodontic Arts is the best place for child and teen orthodontics as well as adult orthodontics. Be sure to ask about Invisalign and invisible braces! Contact us today at (405) 604-3745 or request an appointment.