If you suffer from crooked or wonky teeth then it is important to speak to your dentist Richmond and find out about teeth straightening. It is recommended that you have your teeth straightened at an early age, which is why most young children and teenagers have braces. If you avoid the dentist or did not undergo orthodontic treatment when you were younger for other reasons then you are more likely to develop cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. You can also lose your teeth earlier on in life and affect the appearance of your smile as well as the function of your mouth. To prevent dental complications and to enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile you need to find out about the different types of braces available with your dentist.
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets, a stainless steel archwire and elastic ligatures that connect both and work together to exert pressure on your teeth and straighten out misalignment issues. This is a very effective form of straightening your teeth with excellent aesthetic results and great longevity. Unfortunately the issue with traditional braces is that they are often highly visible in the mouth and this means they can draw unwanted attention to your teeth. Thanks to advances in dental technology there are many discreet options for teeth straightening so speak to your dentist to find out more.
Incognito
Incognito provides the most popular type of lingual braces. Incognito is ideal for patients with mild, moderate or complex, misalignment issues of the teeth. Incognito lingual braces are just like traditional braces except they are fitted to the inside surface of your teeth rather than the front surface. Similar to traditional braces they are fixed metal braces, made of brackets and wires, but offer a discreet alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment. They are a popular and effective method of teeth, straightening in patients of all ages, including teenagers and adults. Each bracket is individually tailored to fit the tooth as there is less space for the brackets to sit. They are made from a very thin gold alloy, which means they are strong and resilient, but also designed with comfort in mind. The average treatment time with Incognito is approximately 12 to 18 months which is similar to traditional braces. It is important that you maintain excellent dental hygiene and visit the dentist on a regular basis as bacteria and food particles can get caught up within the braces. It is also important that you avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods whilst undergoing the treatment to prevent damaging your braces.
The Damon System
The Damon system offers another type of fixed braces that is also suitable for patients with mild, moderate or even complex orthodontic issues. As with traditional braces, these braces are also fixed to the front surface of your teeth. Similar to how traditional braces use archwires and brackets to move teeth, so does the Damon system. However traditional braces have elastic bands surrounding each bracket, whereas Damon braces use a self-ligating system to connect the archwire to the brackets. The self-ligating system is a sliding mechanism that makes the movement of teeth more gradual and natural. This means that the Damon braces are often described as being more comfortable than traditional braces. You should require fewer appointments at the dental practice and another significant advantage is that the minimal and elastic-free design of Damon braces means there is less chance of bacteria and food particles getting trapped in the braces. This means less plaque and less chance of developing cavities, tooth decay or gum disease whilst straightening your teeth. It is also easier to brush and floss with them than it is with traditional braces. The average treatment time with Damon braces is similar to that with traditional braces and lingual braces such as Incognito.
Benefits Of Teeth Straightening
By straightening your teeth, you can enjoy many benefits. Firstly you will achieve a neatly aligned smile which will improve your overall appearance and boost your self-confidence and your self-esteem. Once you finish straightening your teeth, your teeth will be much easier to look after, which means there is less chance of developing cavities, tooth decay, gum disease or even periodontitis in the future. You can increase the longevity of your teeth and you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for the rest of your life. Once you have finished straightening your teeth it is important that you speak to your dentist about a retainer which will help maintain the beautiful new smile. There are different types of retainers to meet your personal preferences. They can be fixed in the mouth or they can be removable. Whichever type you choose, a retainer is very important otherwise your teeth can relapse and become crooked once more. Speak to your dentist today to find out more.
