Braces

Metal Braces

Functional Braces

These correct problems relating to the bite, especially where the lower jaw is small and does not fit the upper jaw.

Fixed braces (often called ‘train tracks’ These are individual metal or ceramic blocks (brackets) and metal rings (bands) glued to the teeth and give a very precise guidance of the teeth into a planned position.

They’re all linked together with a fine wire (usually altered at each appointment) held against these brackets by elastics (except Damon), which can be coloured (e.g. pink, blue) or silver if you do not wish them to show up. These elastics are quite often changed at each appointment.

Treatment with fixed braces can takes an average of 18 months.

Adjustment appointments are usually 8 weeks apart.

Self-ligating braces like Damon and In-ovation (Private only)

A new breakthrough | A fixed brace with very low friction so it’s faster, more comfortable and needs less frequent visits to the practice.

It may also be possible to avoid taking teeth out with this technique

Ceramic (clear) fixed braces (Private only)

These are very aesthetic tooth-coloured brackets fixed to the front of teeth.

Suitable for more severe orthodontic problems. This is the brace that Tom Cruise wore.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic Braces CA Long gone are the days of the metal mouth stigma that used to plague those who had braces. Now there are scores of different styles and materials used to make your smile better and stronger. How about ceramic mouth? Doesn’t quite have the same taunt appeal does it? If you would like ceramic braces you should try and find a dentist in your area who specializes in them. While many dentists will perform the procedure of applying these braces, you’ll want someone who is an expert. Also, whether you are a candidate for ceramic braces depends on a few factors. Your dentists may recommend another kind of brace depending on various factors.

The type of braces you get depends on a number of factors and the extent of your treatment, such as:

The severity of your bite or tooth crookedness problems

If extractions are necessary

If jaw surgery is necessary

If headgear or other special appliances are necessary

The amount of time you will need to wear braces

The preferences of your dentist or orthodontist

How much you are willing to pay

How long you will be in braces to correct your problems

What you, yourself desire.

Would you feel embarrassed in metal? Are you only willing to straighten your teeth if Invisalign is used? Do you prefer the look of ceramic or sapphire? Or don’t you care, as long as the outcome is good? There are a few drawbacks to ceramic braces. Often the brackets used with ceramic braces are larger than their metal cousins. But this negative is usually off set by the fact that they are almost invisible so, it doesn’t really matter. Specialty braces, such as ceramic braces, are often towards the higher end of this scale. Check your dental insurance coverage—many plans cover at least a portion of orthodontic costs. So if you are thinking about getting braces be sure to ask your dentist about ceramic braces. They are the more attractive choice for cosmetic dentistry.

Lingual (Invisible) Braces

Lingual braces are fixed onto the inner sides of the teeth. These braces have been used for many years. Their popularity is now growing as more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment. They are not seen at all so the patients who are conscious about wearing braces can get their teeth repositioned to get an aesthetic smile.

The latest lingual brackets are highly refined and low profile. Therefore, they are more comfortable for the patients. We use the Multi-Purpose Attachments for many of our patients wherever possible. These are the thinnest possible brackets available and therefore are most comfortable for our patients.

All kinds of irregularities of the teeth can be treated with lingual braces.

The patients are uncomfortable for a few weeks due to confined tongue space and speech problems but get adjusted later.

Time required for every appointment is more.

The treatment time is the same as that with the regular braces. It depends on the severity of the irregularity.

Invisalign

Invisalign is an appliance used for straightening teeth without the conventional fixed braces. A series of custom made trays are prepared according to the corrections required for a patient. These trays bring about changes in the positions of teeth sequentially. The patient is supposed to wear the trays as instructed and check ups are done every 6 weeks by the orthodontist or dentist to monitor the progress.

They are not visible so adult patients not wanting to wear braces can get their teeth corrected.

They are removable so the patients do not have restrictions on food as those with the fixed appliances.

As they are removable, the forces do not act on the teeth all the time.

Patient cooperation is very important.

Only mild to moderate malocclusions can be treated efficiently and effectively as the control needed over teeth for complex movements is less with Invisalign as compared to that exerted by fixed braces.

Patients experience speech problems for a few weeks.

In many cases, it may not be possible to achieve the best possible aesthetic smile; functional and stable results without repositioning teeth with orthodontic appliances. These patients have the option of choosing appliances which are not very visible or not visible at all. Due to recent advances in orthodontics, the time taken for orthodontic corrections has reduced. In most cases aesthetic improvements can be achieved in a few weeks to a few months.