Are Braces Right For You?

Smile Design Studio • Nov 05, 2014

Do you dream of a better smile? Are you embarrassed to laugh out loud or flash your smile? This does not have to be the case. Dental technology continues to evolve making it possible for dentists to give their patients the smile they’ve always wanted.

Dentists use many procedures to do this, including the use of braces. Braces are no longer just for teenagers to wear in shame and complaint that they will never be popular anymore. The metal bands, brackets, and gadgets around the jaw are not just for evil villains either. Adults over the age of twenty are now making up half the population of those who are wearing braces.

Regardless of your age, you don’t need to live with the embarrassment of crooked teeth. Now, you can have the benefits of straighter teeth through braces.

Getting braces is a considerable commitment. They usually take around twenty months to be removed completely and can take up to thirty days to get used to. Your jaw, teeth, gums, and joints may hurt for a time as your mouth adjusts to the difference.

If you decide that your smile can be improved by the objects that used to give teenagers nightmares, there are some great new enhancements out there.

Enhancements to Braces

To those that shudder to remember, braces used to be very bulky. Getting them was like having a brake pad from a small Toyota installed in your mouth. No wonder why Andy Murray was dreaded throughout middle and high schools everywhere.

But, braces have undergone some beautiful and convenient enhancements. The heavy metal brackets have been replaced with smaller brackets that are now bonded together. They still stretch the mouth, but they cut down on the strain significantly. In other words, people will not mistake you for a classic James Bond villain when you wear them.

You can also get ceramic ones that are clear. Instead of brackets, they are held together with an adhesive. These are less noticeable, but they stain easier. Opting to go this route means you should avoid all of those dark liquids that are known for staining your teeth; that would be soft drinks, coffee, tea, wine, etc.

Other Options

There are many other choices to enhance your smile.
If you desire to have your teeth colored, shaped, repositioned and adjusted quickly, veneers might be a better choice. They are more expensive because they give you an instant finished look. Many people that tend to get these have already had their teeth damaged before. They can be a great option other than braces.

There is also Invisalign. The definition is in the name, they are out of sight, and they align your mouth like braces. They consist of clear, removable orthodontic aligners that are adjusted as the teeth shift into place without metal or wires. They truly are invisible unless someone is looking extremely close.

However, if you have a severe bite problem, and your teeth are too crooked, the traditional braces work best. The process is quick and easy with the exception that you do not need additional dental work done.

The Procedure

As with any orthodontic procedure, your dentist will first clean and dry your teeth. Then he or she will apply bonding glue. After that, the brackets, the archwire, and the elastic bands are attached to hold them in place.

The procedure is that fast. You are now on your way to a more beautiful smile. You just must follow the dentist’s instructions properly to prevent future problems.

After the Procedure

There is some pain that comes with braces. Your mouth, jaw joints, teeth, and gums are adjusting to a new shape. You may feel some pain that medications like Orajel or Ibuprofen will ease. After the procedure is complete, you must avoid acidic beverages and try not to touch your teeth and gums at any point after the procedure. They are extremely sensitive.

How Old is too Old?

If your teeth are in relatively good condition and are just crooked, there is no age limit to have braces put on. From fresh-faced teens to the elderly, braces are a viable option to fix smiles. They are lightweight and often invisible, which gives them a greater appeal. Today, we see more and more adults of all ages wearing them. To see if braces are a good option, consult your friendly neighborhood dentist, Smile Design Studio.

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