Having had
braces over 20 years ago, there wasn’t any other treatment options available to
meat the time. While my orthodontic condition was quite mild, I was still
required to wear big metal braces with coloured rubber bands for about 6
months. The entire process went fairly quickly and soon enough, I had straight
teeth that I was proud to smile about.
Technology has
advanced dramatically over the last decade and there are a range of teeth
straightening options available today at differing price ranges and visibility
to others. In addition to this, orthodontic treatment today offers reduced
treatment times and discomfort, and allow patients to continue leading their
busy lifestyle with minimal maintenance.
While most
people tend to have braces in their teenage years, nowadays, more adults are
choosing to have orthodontic treatment not only to straighten their teeth, but
to resolve a range of health issues that can cause further problems down the
track. For example, jaw problems can eventually lead to TMJ, and tooth crowding
leads to a build up of plague that can cause tooth decay.
Some of the
most common orthodontic problems that folks have to deal with consist of:
- Underbite - the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw
- Open bite - the teeth of the upper jaw don't make contact with the teeth of the lower jaw
- Crowded teeth - when teeth don't have enough room to fit within the mouth
- Overbite - the lower teeth bite into the tissue of the upper jaw
- Gapped teeth - usually caused by abnormal jaw growth
- Crossbite - the lower and upper jaws are misaligned
The complexity
of each of these issues fluctuate substantially and typically determine the
type of orthodontic treatment which yields the best results.
Types of orthodontic treatment for adults
The following
lists the most common types of teeth straightening options available for adults
today.
Traditional Metal Braces
One of the most
well-known and productive teeth straightening options, traditional metal braces
still play a prominent role in today's orthodontic treatment. Metal braces are
usually used to handle moderate to severe orthodontic issues, where stainless
steel brackets are fixed to the front of patients' teeth and metal wires are
used to connect the brackets together. Although metal braces are quite obvious
to others and can cause a degree of discomfort, they are the least expensive
approach. Traditional braces are also offered in ceramic (less apparent to
others), however those that are conscious about their self-image usually choose
a more unobtrusive teeth straightening approach.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces
are entirely hidden from others as they are affixed behind the patients' teeth.
Custom-made brackets and wires are fixed to the back of each tooth, and
naturally they can feel relatively awkward and involve an extended transition
period. Patients may find that they talk with a lisp at the start of treatment,
and they're unable to eat crunchy foods like carrots. Additionally, it's common
for patients' tongues to rub against the brackets which can cause tenderness,
so it's highly recommended to use dental wax on the brackets to lessen this
discomfort. Lingual braces are basically a trade-off between comfort and
visibility to others and are more expensive than traditional metal braces.
Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign
aligners uses cutting edge technology with 3D imaging to create custom-made clearaligners
made from plastic. Resembling an ultra-thin mouthguard, these aligners are
removable and largely invisible to others. While they are not suitable for
complex orthodontic issues, they are a very popular treatment option dueto
their almost invisible nature and low maintenance. As opposed to tightening
metal braces, these aligners are upgraded every 2 to 4 weeks to move patients’
teeth into the desired position. Thanks to the cutting-edge technology used to
build these custom-made aligners, Invisalign is usually the most expensive
treatment solution.
Which teeth straightening option is best for you?
Uncovering
which treatment option is best for you really comes down
to your personal needs, your budget, and the complexity of your orthodontic
issue. Although there are treatment alternatives that are almost invisible to
others, they aren't practical for severe orthodontic problems so you'll need to
speak with your orthodontist to discover what approaches are suitable for your
condition. Clear Smile Orthodontics on the Gold Coast offer
all new patients a free consultation, so if you're interested in straightening
your teeth, phone their friendly staff on 07 5593 3733.
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