What are the Pros and Cons of Different Types of Dental Braces?

A beautiful smile can be your best style statement as nothing complements you better. This is applicable to everyone irrespective of their age, gender or profession. A perfect set of shining white teeth is the key to a perfect smile. People who have trouble with uneven teeth can get this perfect smile by using dental braces to straighten them. Although the duration of the treatment is extensive, it is certainly effective. Each patient varies, though, and an experienced dentist will be able to suggest the best type of braces and duration of treatment, should you need them.

Dental Braces

What Are Braces?

Dental braces are frames (traditionally of wire but now available in other materials) that are fitted to your teeth in an effort to correct crooked teeth or close large gaps. While they don’t usually interfere with your daily activities like eating, brushing or talking, you will need to take extra care of them during the period you’re supposed to wear them. Braces are usually sturdy and apply pressure on your teeth until they gradually shift into position. During the course of treatment, your jaw bones undergo change in shape as well. An orthodontist decides how and when to administer braces, or to fix them depending on the facial structure and teeth condition of each patient.

Traditional braces are made up of wires and brackets. Brackets are small square-shaped structures that remain attached to every single tooth by means of a dental glue. These can be made from metal or other materials, and can be tooth colored or transparent. Wires are usually made of metal, and are linking wires that remain attached to the brackets and provide guidance to tooth movement. Often referred as arch wires, they remain held together with the brackets by means of ties, which are very tiny small elastic bands or rings.

Types of Dental Braces And Their Upsides And Downsides

• Conventional metallic braces: These are the most basic and traditional type of braces, where the brackets are made from stainless steel or other metal alloys. However, contemporary versions of these are smaller and are less noticeable.
• Upside: They are cost effective and affordable. The modern variants use heat-activated wires that help in painless and swift movement of teeth. Coloured options are available.
• Downside: They are fairly visible and may ruin your smile a bit during treatment.

Dental Braces

• Lingual braces: These dental braces are the inward version of metal braces, meaning that they are fixed to the inside of your teeth.
• Upside: They cannot be seen from the outside.
• Downside: They are expensive and uncomfortable at times. They are not suitable for extensive dental work and cleaning these braces is troublesome.

• Removable braces or Invisaligns: These are more commonly known as teeth aligners and comprise of custom-made series of 20-30 plastic braces with plastic wires. They are fully detachable and need to be replaced once in every fourteen days. These braces are relatively newer in the market and are made from high quality smooth plastic.
• Upside: Completely invisible and can be removed when needed. You can drink and eat whatever you like at your own convenience.
• Downside: They are very expensive and are not suitable for children. They can be lost easily and they don’t really work for people with major dental issues.

• Ceramic braces: As the name suggests, these braces made of ceramic and have either tooth-colored or transparent brackets. While they allow easy movement of teeth, the shape and size of the brackets are same as their metallic counterparts.
• Upside: It is not easily seen and lets your teeth move more easily when compared to other braces. 
• Downside: These dental braces cost more than traditional ones and need extensive maintenance.