6 Interesting Facts about Dental Braces

Are you wearing braces or plan to get braces in the future? Dental braces are especially designed to fix the alignment of your teeth. But these orthodontic treatments aren’t as simple as you think. Here are some not-so-commonly known facts about dental braces. 1. There are more than 10 different types of dental braces. Orthodontists use a wide array of dental appliances, including what we commonly know as braces. While at first glance you may think that braces all look the same, they can vary in small ways. The differences are based on the purpose of the dental appliance. If you only need a small adjustment, your orthodontist may suggest wearing only retainers. If you don’t want your braces to be noticeable, you may choose Invisalign or ClearCorrect. You can get mini braces or porcelain braces if you don’t want the brackets to be too noticeable. rn2. The main purpose of dental braces is to fix a bad bite. Most people assume that braces are used to align the teeth. Although this is true, straightening the teeth is just a secondary purpose of these dental appliances. They are primarily designed to fix the patient’s occlusion or bite. A correct bite is when the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth and the cusps of the molars don’t touch. Few achieve this perfect dental alignment. The negative effects of malaligned teeth are numerous, from difficulty in speaking to breathing issues. These are the reasons why orthodontists highly recommend braces, not just for the physical appearance. 3. Braces use two elements in orthodontic treatment: time and pressure. Ever wonder why it takes years for braces to work? The small wires and brackets attached to the teeth adjust in miniscule measurements because speeding up the process will cut off the blood supply in the teeth. Each tooth has a nerve ending inside, called the pulp. When the tooth moves, the pulp also moves to continue supplying blood and nutrition to the rest of the tooth tissue. The archwires are designed to apply a specific amount of pressure on each tooth, just enough to move them into their ideal place within two years. 4. Dental braces are made of non-magnetic, strong and almost unbreakable metal. Braces are made of stainless steel and titanium, both of which resist corrosion and have very high tensile strength. Other materials used for braces include porcelain, acrylic and even gold. Unlike what most people believe, braces are not magnetic. Stainless steel, gold, porcelain and acrylic are all non-magnetic materials, and although titanium is magnetic, it has very weak attraction to magnets and the small amount of titanium in braces make it impossible for a magnet to attach to it. rn5. Your age is not a hindrance or a factor in getting braces. Did you know that a child as young as seven years can get braces? A child may need to start orthodontic treatment even if some of his baby teeth haven’t fallen out yet. Some experts even consider early intervention as a factor for higher success and faster results in wearing braces. Likewise, old age doesn’t prevent an individual from getting orthodontic treatment. Technology has created a variety of solutions that reduce the awkwardness of braces, from clear dental aligners that are almost invisible to tooth-colored brackets. The treatment period is also the same for teens as it is for adults, around 18 months to two years, depending on the condition of the teeth. rnOrthodontics are not just for cosmetic purposes, but also for the health and well-being of a patient. If you are looking for best cosmetic dentist in Aloha to give you a smile makeover, consider an orthodontist as part of your treatment team. They have the expertise and skills needed to fix your dental malalignment.