Teeth braces come in 2 types: the fixed type and the removable type.
There are subtypes in these 2 which are explained further. Fixed teeth braces contain 2 main components:
1)The bracket is stuck on the tooth with cement and it contains a slot that receives the wire.
2) The wire which is received by the bracket is the component that causes the actual movement of teeth. These wires are nickel-titanium and stainless steel which are used in stages to align malposed teeth.
There are variations in these 2 components which are explained as follows:
- FIXED METAL BRACES: These are the most commonly used. The brackets and the wire are made of metal. They are easy on the pocket too. These metal braces are recommended for school going children who need orthodontic treatment. The steel braces are an ideal choice for them since functional movements for teeth alignment is more important than esthetics.
- FIXED CERAMIC BRACES: The brackets in this variety are made of ceramic which is white hence it offers better esthetics than their metal counterparts. Being ceramic, they are stronger and less prone to breaking than metal brackets. The wires used with them are Teflon coated which are also white. They do the same work as the metal braces, the only difference is ceramic braces are not as apparent as metal braces. They are usually recommended for college students and adults who have more esthetic concerns than children.
- FIXED INVISIBLE BRACES: The brackets are made of high-quality polycarbonate which is the same material used to make baby bottles. They are biofriendly and very safe to use. The major advantage of these invisible braces is that they are completely transparent and mimic the colour of the tooth underneath. These are mostly recommended for adult patients who are in jobs that involve interacting with clients and other people or just for adults in general who want to make their smiles better but in secret.
- FIXED LINGUAL BRACES: These braces involve the placement of brackets and wires on the inner side of the teeth. There is absolutely no outer show of braces that does not compromise your look at all. However, they make eating and cleaning difficult for the patient and are also heavier on the pocket in comparison to the above varieties. They are again recommended for adult patients who want to undergo orthodontic treatment but escape the outer show of braces.
- FIXED SELF LIGATING BRACES: The brackets in this type are specialized brackets with a locking system for their wires. The wires however are conventional. The mechanism is such that the dentist does not need to place extra enforcements to keep the wire in place. This reduces the friction between the bracket and the wire during tooth movements. Hence the tooth movement is faster and is also easy to work with for the dentist. They are fast becoming a popular trend with dentists and patients. They come in metal, ceramic and polycarbonate varieties too.
The removable braces are not technically ‘braces' but are more like transparent aligners for teeth retainers that you wear at night. They are tweaked differently to cause light tooth movements. These removable aligners are the favorite of young adult patients. Since they are removable, it does not interfere with your meals and your dental cleaning rituals. Just remove them while eating and brushing and slip them back on once you are done!
Orthodontics is a fast-evolving field with so many different types of braces coming up in the market, which makes choosing the perfect appliance a difficult task for an individual. We, at Neha’s Dental Clinic & Implant Centre based in Ghatkopar, Mumbai under your trepidation. We do an exhaustive and detailed evaluation of your dentition and the associated muscles, taking into consideration your orthodontic needs and goals. A consultation is planned in which we decide the best treatment option for you as per your desires. Any queries are answered and any issues are resolved during this consultation appointment so that you can commit to this, without any stress.
Very agile hands, didn't feel a thing. The most pain-free root canal in my life.