Teeth Straightening Options
Temecula, CA
 There are many choices available these days for teeth alignment. It used to be that traditional metal braces with brackets and wires were the only option available for aligning your teeth.
Nowadays many choices are available. They range from clear teeth alignment trays that use constant gentle pressure applied by flexible clear trays, to lingual braces which are applied to the back of the teeth, so they remain less visible.
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, please come in to see us today at Roncone Orthodontics. Our office staff can discuss all of the teeth straightening options available so you can make an informed decision regarding your treatment.
Orthodontics and Its Benefits
Orthodontics focuses on maintaining the correct motion of the jaw. It corrects crooked teeth and alleviates symptoms involved in having a misaligned bite.
Despite this focus, it can actually positively impact other areas of the mouth as well. In many misalignment cases, the jaw or teeth can affect the correct movement of the tongue which in turn can impact the patient's ability to speak.
Once teeth have been moved to their correct positions, they no longer rub against the tongue and no longer affect its movement. This allows for the correct enunciation of words which improves speech.
Another benefit of correct jaw alignment and straight teeth is that bacteria have a much harder time clinging to the tooth surface. While certainly orthodontics can be considered cosmetic, it is more than that. The improvement to the jaw, teeth, and increased level of oral hygiene are all benefits to the patient's overall medical health.
How Do Braces Work?
While braces can correct the problems apparent in a patient's oral cavity, they are not an immediate fix to their problems. The teeth are moved slowly in order to maximize the outcome. In some cases, this means the treatment might last for a couple of years until it can be completed.
The pressure is the key. Constant pressure is the basic concept behind every different kind of braces. It does not matter if the method uses wires and brackets or clear alignment trays. They all apply pressure.
Traditional or Conventional Braces
Traditional braces have come a long way since the days of our parents. They have greatly improved in both techniques and in materials. They still use a wire to put gentle pressure on teeth, so they move to their assigned positions. The wire needs to be adjusted periodically so the pressure remains constant. Traditional braces are still the most widely used solution in orthodontics.
Traditional braces can fix alignment issues, overbites and underbites, and even improper tooth spacing. One important note, all the teeth will be moved at one time. There is simply no way to move a single tooth at a time with the traditional braces option.
Something else to keep in mind is the difficulty most patients have with taking proper care of their teeth. Brushing and flossing is far more difficult while wearing braces.
Clear Aligners
One of the latest advances in the field of orthodontics is the advent of the alignment trays or clear aligners. They have grown exponentially in popularity over the last decade.
Part of the popularity of clear aligners has to do with the fact that they are less noticeable and less disruptive to the lives of the patients than traditional braces are. They use clear trays to apply pressure to move teeth as opposed to wires and brackets.
Not only are they less invasive, they are more comfortable than conventional braces too. The trays are changed every two weeks, each one a step closer to the end of the treatment cycle. Because clear aligners are made to the measurements of the patient's mouth, there is no irritation to the interior of the mouth. T
hey can be taken out to eat or to brush or floss. While these are all seen as benefits, there are a couple of drawbacks. One is they cannot be used on severe orthodontic cases.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic is a fantastic material offering a more comfortable feel to braces and a changed appearance. It can be tinted to blend in with the other teeth or even made to be clear, so they are virtually invisible.
While the material is different, the technique used to shift the teeth into their appropriate positions is not. They still use brackets secured to the teeth with a wire that links all the brackets together so they can work together to move the teeth to their desired positions.
Ceramic braces are able to shift teeth at a quicker rate than traditional braces. Most patients only have to wear their braces for 18 to 36 months for a successful outcome.
Lingual Braces
The basic idea of lingual braces is that they are flipped. Instead of braces that wrap around the outside face of your teeth, they curve around the inside of your teeth, toward your tongue. Lingual braces still work on the principle of gentle force, gradually helping your teeth correct themselves, but rather than pushing your teeth they are pulling your teeth.
Lingual braces are not an option for those patients with extreme orthodontic issues such as a bad overbite, but they are still something to consider. They also have more problems with brackets coming unfastened from teeth.
Visit Your Temecula Orthodontist Today
In reality, orthodontics is far more important than just having a great smile. Although we remain experts in that area, our purpose is additionally to adjust how your jaw and teeth work together to create the most functional relationship. This relationship has the power to impact future dental health, and failing to address issues early on can cause and exacerbate dental health problems in the future. Making a consultation appointment with our office can reassure you about your well-being and decrease the need for costly care down the line.
Come in to discuss the options for a straight smile at our Roncone Orthodontics office. Call us today at (951) 595-8291 to schedule your office visit. |
