- Dental braces are devices that are used to align and straighten teeth and help position them correctly in the oral cavity.
- There are various types of braces ranging from metal, ceramic, self ligating and clear aligners. All these differ interms of esthetics and complexity of teeth alignment.
- Metal braces include brackets that are attached to the front of your teeth, as well as flexible wires or arch wires that hold the brackets or bands together. Some braces also include rubber bands link the brackets to the wire. These bands create more pressure to help straighten and/or align the teeth.
- Ceramic braces are made of tooth colored ceramic, so that they are visibly evident.
- Self-ligating braces are placed much like traditional braces, with the exception of the ligature. Instead of ligatures special clips or brackets are used to help the arch wire move the teeth into place. The clips allow greater freedom of tooth movement; and therefore, reduce the discomfort that is associated with a traditional ligature.
- Clear aligners are clear plastic trays that fit snugly onto the teeth. They use pressure to gently move the teeth into the correct positions.
- Typically the braces are adjusted every three to six weeks, which helps shift the teeth into their correct position.
POST BRACE CARE:
- Avoid consumption of hard or sticky food substances.
- Consume drinks with low sugar content
- Brush after every meal and never let food get stuck on your braces
- Visit dentist on every follow-up
