Dental Braces Types Advantages And Disadvantages

What Are Dental Braces And Its Types? 

Dental braces are devices that are used by dentists to straighten a person’s teeth. These orthodontic devices can either be cosmetic or structural. They often help to widen the palate or jaws and to assist the shaping of the teeth and jaws. 

There are mainly four types of braces: 

1. Metal Braces 

These are the common types of braces usually formed with metal brackets and wires. Modern braces are smaller and less noticeable than the lower braces. These braces cost very less and come in various colors, but these braces are very noticeable once fitted. 

Metal Braces

2. Ceramic Braces 

Ceramic braces are of identical shape and size as that of the metal braces. They are tooth-colored and can easily blend into person's teeth. One can even use tooth-colored wires to make these even more unnoticeable. These work faster than plastic aligners but are more expensive. These get stained very quickly if the patient does not take care of them very well. Maintenance might be the problem in case of these braces. 

3. Lingual Braces 

These are same as the metal braces; the only difference is that they are placed inside the teeth of a patient and not on them. The good thing about these is that they are invisible from outside, the bad thing, however, is that these are very difficult to clean, are inappropriate for several cases, can be uncomfortable, and adjustments take longer than traditional braces. 

4. Invisalign 

These are custom made mouth guard like clear plastic aligners which consists of up to 18-30 aligners. These are removable that have to be replaced every two weeks. These are invisible, and unlike other braces these allow the patient to eat and drink whatever they want. These, however, are not very good for a serious problem and cannot be used by children. These are expensive and if lost needs to be replaced which is costlier. The treatment takes very long. 

Invisalign

Benefits Of Dental Braces 

There are several health benefits to having braces. The main reason being the boost in confidence and self-esteem because of an improved appearance which helps them to lead a better social, as well as personal life. Braces are perfect for dental health, especially if the teeth issues become a hindrance towards maintaining proper dental hygiene. 

Listed below are few benefits of orthodontic braces: 

1. Improvement Of Dental Hygiene 

The primary health benefits are the improvement of dental hygiene, which can help reduce the chances of any oral disease. Misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, and bite issues can cause food buildup between our teeth. This issue may increase plaque or bacteria formation in the tooth surfaces. Plaque can lead to periodontal or gum diseases. By aligning the teeth and improving the bite, braces allows the patient to take care of his dental hygiene. 

2. Protection Of Teeth 

Braces help to protect the teeth. Braces improve irregular bite pattern. Irregular bite pattern can cause stress and impact on particular teeth. This problem might prove unfavorable to the patient as stress can make the teeth wear off at a rapid pace. Having misaligned teeth can lead to the dental problem. Braces provide proper alignment to the teeth that reduce the risk of teeth damage. 

3. Helps In Digestion 

Patients with teeth issues face difficulty in biting and chewing food. This issue may cause digestion and nutrition problems in the patient. Braces straighten the teeth that help eliminate eating issues. 

4. Boosting Self Esteem 

Other than resolving the health issues, braces also help a person get back his self-esteem. It improves appearance that allows the patient to address his insecurity and inferiority complex. This solution helps patients improve their personal, social as well as professional lives. 

Disadvantages 

Everything has its advantages and its disadvantages, so does braces. Listed below are the problems of orthodontic braces: 

• It takes a long time to straighten teeth, especially in adults. A patient has to wear his braces for almost a period of two to three years. 
• There is possible relapsing in the alignment of the teeth. 
• A patient has to give up on some food items like corn, carrot, pretzels, and popcorn. Food items that are hard cannot be consumed while the brace work is in process. 

Dr. Pushpa Sachdeva, the Best Dentist In Nairobi, says that the application of braces make the teeth move due to force on the teeth. When the pressure is made, the teeth move in the right direction. 

The renowned dentist also says that a patient should maintain his dental health during the brace work. He should regularly visit the dentist for adjusting his braces and should always brush and floss his teeth properly.