Las Vegas Braces work to correct misaligned teeth and improve bites. They distribute the force of chewing evenly, reducing the risk of damaging specific teeth with excessive pressure.
While it is easier to straighten teeth when they are young and still growing, braces can be effective for people of any age. This article will discuss three key parts that make up braces:
The most obvious benefit of braces is that they make your teeth look better. People who have crooked teeth are often self-conscious about their smile, which can affect how they interact with others in social situations. They may avoid smiling and even hide their faces when taking pictures. Braces help these patients correct their smiles, and they are often pleased with the results of their treatment.
Another benefit of braces is that they help to improve the function of the jaw joints (also known as temporomandibular joint, or TMJ). Misaligned teeth can cause an uneven distribution of pressure when chewing and speaking, which can lead to pain in the jaw. The pressure is relieved by braces, allowing the jaw joints to function properly.
A final benefit of braces is that they reduce the risk of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious dental issue that can be caused by poor oral hygiene, which leads to the buildup of bacteria and food debris. Braces prevent this buildup by making it easier for the patient to clean their teeth.
Many patients also note that their speech is improved after getting braces. This is because misaligned teeth can interfere with the placement of the tongue when producing certain sounds, such as ’t’ and ’n.’ The speech issues can be corrected by straightening the teeth, which allows the tongue to contact the lips and palate correctly.
The most important benefit of braces is that they can help to prevent serious dental problems in the future. Misaligned teeth and bite problems can lead to conditions that require complex and costly treatments, such as root canals, dental crowns, or tooth extractions. By addressing these problems with braces, the patient can prevent them from worsening and save money in the long run. A final benefit of braces is that they can prevent the need for dentures and tooth replacements later in life. This is because the treatment can prevent TMJ and other severe oral health problems that often result in the need for these procedures. The best way to determine if braces are right for you is to visit an orthodontist for a consultation.
Cost
In many cases, the cost of braces can be offset by dental insurance or other types of coverage. The exact price of the procedure will vary depending on your unique situation, so consult with an orthodontist to discuss the options available to you.
Braces have several components that work together to apply gentle pressure and shift teeth into the correct position. These include brackets, arch wire, ligatures, molar bands, and springs. Together, these components allow orthodontists to treat a wide range of problems.
When teeth are misaligned, they may become a hotbed for bacteria that can cause gum disease. They also make it difficult to chew, which can lead to poor digestion. Correcting the positioning of teeth with orthodontic braces improves oral health and makes it easier to eat and digest food.
Traditional metal braces are made of small squares (brackets) that the orthodontist places on the front surface of your teeth. They are one of the most cost-efficient options for treatment, but they can be highly visible and can cause discomfort in some patients. In addition to traditional metal braces, orthodontists also offer ceramic and clear brackets that are less noticeable.
Once the orthodontist puts on your brackets, you will need to come in for follow-up appointments every 4-8 weeks. During these visits, the orthodontist will check how your teeth are moving and make adjustments to the ligatures, wires, or arch wires as needed.
While metal braces are incredibly effective, they do require more maintenance and adjustment than other types of treatment. For this reason, some adults choose to avoid them in favor of other types of orthodontics.
Lingual braces are a great option for adults who want to straighten their teeth without disrupting their professional image. These braces are placed on the inside of your teeth, so they are not visible when you smile. Lingual braces are typically the most expensive type of orthodontics, but they offer a number of benefits that outweigh the additional cost. In addition to providing a more discreet alternative to traditional metal braces, they are also more comfortable and require fewer adjustments than standard braces.
Getting Started
If you are considering getting braces, the first step is to consult with an orthodontist. You can get a referral from your dentist or schedule a consultation at the orthodontic practice you are interested in working with, and they will take pictures, x-rays, and digital scans of your teeth. Then they can recommend the best type of treatment to help address your specific problems.
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets that are affixed to the front of your teeth. A wire is then threaded through these and tightened to place pressure on different parts of your mouth to gradually shift your teeth into their proper position. The wire is held in place by tiny rubber bands called ligatures, which are replaced every 4-6 weeks. Other devices like springs and elastics can also be used to help correct certain issues.
You may find that your teeth become sore in the beginning while you have braces, but this is to be expected and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. The discomfort will fade as your mouth adjusts to the mild pressure. The main thing is that you are improving the alignment of your teeth, which will not only make you more confident but can improve the overall health of your gums and mouth.
Misaligned teeth can lead to periodontal (gum) disease, which can then contribute to systemic problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Taking care of these small misalignments early on will prevent these bigger issues later in life and give you a happier, healthier smile for a lifetime.
It is important to remember that you will have a new daily routine while wearing braces, and this includes brushing and flossing twice a day. If you don’t maintain good oral hygiene during this time, you can get gum disease and cavities, which will lengthen the amount of time you have to spend in treatment. Also, if you are not careful with your food, you could end up with food stuck in your braces that will slow down the treatment process and make it more difficult to clean your teeth.
Treatment Time
Braces are designed to align the teeth and jaw, which leads to improved bite function as well as a more attractive smile. The length of treatment will vary from person to person, as there are many variables that can impact the timeline of braces. On average, though, most people wear their braces for about a year.
The most significant factor in determining how long you need to wear braces is the severity of your malocclusion. Some malocclusions, like crossbites and underbites, are more difficult to correct than others, which could extend the duration of your treatment. Other factors that influence treatment time include the age of the patient and their compliance with orthodontist recommendations. Children typically require shorter periods of time in braces than adults because their teeth and jaws are still growing.
Additionally, kids who adhere to orthodontist recommendations and avoid eating foods that are likely to break or damage their braces tend to experience a shorter treatment timeline than those who disregard these guidelines. If you frequently need to visit the orthodontist to fix broken wires, loose brackets, or other issues, this will also add time to your treatment duration.
Another key variable that affects how long you need to wear braces is whether or not you have a healthy oral hygiene regimen. Regular brushing and flossing, as well as visits to your dentist for professional cleanings, will help expedite the treatment of your crooked smile.
It’s also important to note that while you may not see results right away, you will gradually begin to notice a difference in the way your teeth look after you get braces. You will likely have to wait a few months for the final results to appear, but if you are diligent about maintaining good oral health practices, you can speed up the process.
If you want to learn more about how long your specific case might take to straighten your smile, talk to our orthodontist. We will provide you with more information on your unique situation and provide recommendations for how to shorten your treatment time.