How do braces straighten crooked teeth?
Braces use constant, gentle pressure which, over time move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we precisely measure and bond to each tooth. The three types of archwires that we routinely use are nitanol, thermal titanium and stainless steel. Nitanol and thermal titanium archwires are both memory type wires. Thermal titanium is temperature sensitive and at a few degrees below body temperature, the wire memory becomes activated after being placed in the mouth. When these wires are threaded through the brackets, their memory preprograms them to return to their original shapes which applies pressure to move the teeth. By placing the brackets as accurately as possible, the braced appliance becomes self-adjusting and self-tightening. As these "smart braces" guide the teeth into straight alignment, your smile will look better within several visits.
More emphasis should be placed on your bite, or occlusion. After straightening teeth, some cases require elastics (rubber bands) to exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day. Elastics are used to properly fit your teeth together. The final finishing is done with x-ray to check the root alignments in the bone. The roots of the teeth should be aligned as parallel as possible. Light gauge stainless steel wires can be bent to parallel your roots to reflect your ideal bite.
Different Types of Braces
| Metal braces are the most popular with children and teenagers. They love using different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than ever before. |
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Gold braces are the newest addition to our line of brackets. They are stainless steel braces coated with 24 karat gold. They have the strength of metal, but blend in with the color of the teeth much better. That is because most teeth have a natural yellow tint. Gold braces are indicated when patients are allergic to nickel which is a minor component of metal braces and earring posts.
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Clear Braces
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Translucent clear ceramic braces are the most popular with adults. You have to be very close to someone to be able to see them. Yet, because they are ceramic, they are more fragile. The newest ceramic braces have treatment times similar to those with metal braces.
One of the newest treatment methods, appliances WHICH DO NOT EMPLOY BRACES AT ALL, and one for which Dr. Kmentt has been certified to provide, is the 'Invasilgn' system.
Invisalign is a state of-the-art alternative to braces that strengthens your teeth with a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners.
Invisalign is not intended for children and is not appropriate for every adult. Your first step is to consult an align technology certified orthodontist and determine if your case would meet the treatment criteria. Both the upper and lower teeth can be treated at the same time, or either arch individually. Treatment times can be as few as 6 months or as many as 18 months.
To see if Invisalign is right for you, feel free to contact us by phone at (440)257-3200 with any questions or call the toll free number below.
For additional information about invisalign, click here.
Click here for more information about Invisalign. |
