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For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you'll be healthier and feel more self-confident. Your dentist may have discussed the benefits of healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with you, as well as many of the problems that orthodontics can treat.
- Straightening crooked and crowded teeth (which are hard to clean and maintain, and can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss)
- Correcting abnormal wear of tooth surfaces
- Making the chewing function more efficient
- Reducing stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth; misalignment of the jaw joints (which can lead to chronic headaches, face or neck pain)
Orthodontic treatment can be much less costly than the additional care required to treat these problems.
Orthodontic appliances - made of metal, ceramic, or plastic - may be removable or may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth, and wires are less noticeable than they used to be.
- Clear or metallic-colored brackets
- Choice of color of ties that hold the wire in brackets
- New materials to move teeth faster, with less discomfort
- Typically one-three years, depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and face, and severity of the problem.
- Treatment time throughout course of treatment may vary from the original estimate, as patients grow at different rates and respond variously to orthodontic treatment.
- Can be greatly impacted by diligent use of any prescribed rubber bands or headgear.
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