Are Braces Right for Me?

If you’re one of the lucky few who were born with perfectly straight teeth, stop reading this and go hug your parents right now. For the rest of us who don’t have the perfect smile, we have the solutions. To make sure you understand all the options before you visit your dental office we have made it easy for you with this simple overview.

Traditional braces, aka “train tracks”, are what most people picture when they hear the word braces. Traditional braces are made of metal and have brackets glued to each tooth. Brackets are linked to each other with a thin arch wire putting pressure on the teeth to gradually guide them into the correct position.

Ceramic braces functions just like traditional braces, except that the brackets are made of a ceramic material or porcelain. The brackets can be transparent or colored to be the same color as your teeth. Thus, they do blend in with your teeth better than metal braces. However, ceramic braces are less effective for extremely overcrowded teeth and they generally cost more.

Invisible aligner, such as Invisalign, is a transparent aligner that resembles a mouth guard and is custom made for each person. Invisalign can be removed during eating and cleaning and needs to be changed every two weeks. Each new aligner brings your teeth closer to the right position. To maintain the result you achieved, continuous use is recommended until your teeth have settled down and stopped moving.

Types	Pros	Cons
Traditional Braces	Least Expensive, Most effective	Most noticeable, Limit you from eating hard and sticky foods
Ceramic Braces	Less visible	More prone to damage (chip, crack), More bulky, Costlier
Invisalign	Nearly invisible, Can be removed when eating, Less effective for severe cases	Treatment may take longer, Most expensive

If you read through this and still can’t decide which method is best for you… rest assured you are not alone. In fact, it is highly recommended that you speak with an orthodontist first to evaluate your condition and determine which kinds of braces would be best for your lifestyle.

At the end of the day, straightening your teeth not only strengthens your confidence, it also provides huge health benefits. When teeth are misaligned, they are more difficult to clean and more likely to cause the gums to be inflamed or bleeding. In the long run having straight teeth prevents periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay or loss. Braces are a worthy investment for you to make sure your teeth live a long and healthy life.