What are traditional braces?
Traditional braces use brackets that are glued to your teeth, along with a series of different wires, to straighten your teeth, align your bite, improve function, and enhance appearance.
How have traditional braces changed over time?
Traditional metal braces have been around for many years, and there have been a lot of improvements over time. There are different theories and techniques behind braces treatment, but they all do a good job of straightening your teeth. The difference between approaches may be whether teeth are moved or rotated first.
Another option is clear braces or aligners, which look nicer, but the downside is that they sometimes do not bond to your teeth as well and may come with additional cost. There is also the option of lingual braces, which means we place the brackets and wires on the tongue side of your teeth.
What are lingual braces?
Lingual braces are placed on the inside of your teeth, so when you talk, the brackets do not show, whether compared to metal or clear braces on the outside. The downside of lingual braces is that they can interfere with your speech. They take up a lot of space for your tongue, and the wires may poke more, causing additional discomfort.
How much do traditional braces cost?
Traditional braces can range from about $2,000 or $3,000 to $5,000 to $7,000, depending on the complexity of your case and the total treatment length. Sometimes we need to use a special appliance, which means adding a procedure to help straighten your teeth or widen your bone before we start. That may add to both the cost and the length of treatment.
What are the pros and cons of traditional braces?
Traditional braces are a very good option because they are glued to your teeth, so there is less chance of losing them. The downside is that because they are attached to your teeth, they are harder to clean. That can lead to more food packing and swollen gums if you are not able to clean them properly.
How often do you adjust traditional braces?
With traditional braces, we normally see you every four to six weeks. You get one adjustment at each appointment, so there may be a little more discomfort because all the changes are made in one setting for the next four to six weeks.
The overall duration for traditional braces may also be a little longer than Invisalign because with Invisalign, you get many small adjustments. Basically, Invisalign gives you smaller, more frequent changes, while traditional braces involve fewer, larger adjustments.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign uses a clear plastic material that fits over your teeth to move them. It is removable, so you can brush and floss very easily. Because of that, your oral hygiene is normally better than with traditional braces, and you are less likely to have cavities during treatment. You can also use Invisalign as a whitening tray, so as your teeth straighten, they may also get whitened.
We normally recommend that patients change their trays every week, so you get a mild adjustment each week. We still see you every four to six weeks. During treatment, Invisalign is usually a little more comfortable than traditional braces. The downside is that if you travel a lot, you may tend to lose things. In those cases, traditional braces may be better because they are bonded to your teeth and are not easily removed.
What is it like when you first get traditional metal braces?
Getting traditional metal braces for the first time is quite a change because suddenly, instead of just your natural lips and teeth, you have many brackets, wires, and ligatures in your mouth. It can feel quite uncomfortable on the first day, and because we add some adjustment at that time, the first couple of days can be quite sore.
It gradually gets better, and the movement continues over the next four to six weeks. You will gradually feel more comfortable until your next appointment.
When would traditional braces be a good option?
Traditional braces are good for many cases involving more significant bony defects or more severe alignment problems, so we often use traditional braces for more severe cases.
At Dominion Smiles, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (210) 866-8730 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.