The importance of a beautiful smile for a person is difficult to overestimate. With its help, you can win over any interlocutor. A beautiful smile is smooth, white and healthy teeth. To have them, you need to take time to care for the oral cavity and visit the dentist on time. Sometimes you have to make some sacrifices. However, the result is worth it. The victims include braces, the pros and cons of which are of interest to many patients.
What are braces
A small orthodontic lock attached to the tooth is called a bracket. Independently change the curvature or affect the bite, this tool is unable. Treatment is carried out using a system consisting of several braces. These are several orthodontic appliances attached to the teeth using a metal arc. It is this design that can create a great smile.
Not all patients are aware that no braces align teeth. How this happens, the orthodontist can tell in detail. All the work to align the teeth is performed by an arc. Locks only provide its interaction with teeth. Most often, nickel-titanium alloys are used for its manufacture. The arc has a "shape memory". Mounted on jagged teeth, it bends. The arc seeks to return to its original form. Behind her, she gradually pulls her teeth.
The arc can be attached to locks using special wires or rubber bands - this is a ligature system. There are self-regulating designs. In ligatureless systems, special brackets are used on the bracket itself.
One of the main tasks of the orthodontist is the correct selection of the arc at each stage of treatment. Teeth movement should be fully controlled and predictable. Lack of pressure will not lead to the desired result. And its excess can aggravate the situation.
Aligning the teeth and correcting the bite with braces can be carried out both in childhood and in adulthood. After 30 years, the osteo-maxillary correction system is much more difficult, therefore, such a patient will have to wear the design a little longer than a teenager.
At the end of treatment, the result will have to be maintained with the help of special mouthguards or retainers. This is necessary so that the teeth do not return to their original position. What exactly to choose, the dentist will decide. It is sometimes recommended to combine mouthguards and retainers. In general, there are no age restrictions for using the design. You can correct the bite with braces in both 20 and 40 years old.
Metal constructions
Orthodontic constructions can be made of different materials. There are metal, ceramic, sapphire and combined types of braces. Which are better? It depends on the condition of the patient’s teeth and his material capabilities.
The cheapest are metal braces. Affordable price is far from the only design advantage. The advantages of a metal system include:
- Strength. The probability of breakage is minimal. This is especially important if the patient values money and time. Since to replace each broken bracket it is necessary to contact the orthodontist and additionally pay for the installation of a new plate.
- High structural strength allows you to correct even the most complex tooth curvature and malocclusion.
- Correction efficiency reduces system usage time.
- Metal is suitable for braces installation for adults, and especially children, as the replacement of arcs is completely painless. In addition, multi-colored elastic bands can be placed on such staples. Teenagers especially like this.
- Metal does not stain from food and drink. At the time of removal, the braces will look the same as on the day they are attached.
The disadvantages of this design include the fact that it is too noticeable on the teeth. In addition, the metal is able to rub the mucous membrane of the cheeks, leading to wounds and the development of stomatitis. In fairness, it should be noted that braces from other materials can also injure fabrics. Quickly solve this problem will help a special dental wax.
The pros and cons of metal braces are unequal. The advantages of such designs are much greater. And in some especially difficult situations, the question of choosing a material is not at all worthwhile, since only metal can cope with especially strong curvatures.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic locks are made of polycrystalline alumina. Such systems are aesthetic. They appeared not so long ago, about 20 years ago, but their popularity is growing every year.
The main advantage of ceramics is that it is almost invisible on the teeth. Due to this, such systems are especially popular among adult patients for whom aesthetics are especially important. For ceramic castles, a special white Teflon-coated arc is used.
The disadvantage of ceramic braces is their lower strength compared to metal. From breakdowns, they can crack. This does not affect treatment negatively. But it will add material costs to the patient. For each new lock that will be installed on the site of the broken, you will have to pay extra.
Ceramic braces can change color over time. If the patient likes coffee, strong tea and red wine, he will not be able to avoid darkening of castles.
The pros and cons of ceramic braces depend on what the patient expects. If aesthetics, and not the cost of treatment, comes first, then the advantages of such a system are obvious. In the event that the budget is limited or there are serious malocclusion, there is no alternative to metal.
Sapphire locks
Sapphire braces can be considered a real work of art. The cost and installation of these structures is much more expensive than all others. Sapphire locks are made of artificial material, which is characterized by high strength, transparency, elasticity and reliability.
The presence of such a design on the teeth does not cause discomfort, but, on the contrary, brings pleasure. Sapphire locks glisten in the sun and adorn the smile. But provided that the patient’s natural teeth are white. If the enamel is yellow, sapphire will emphasize this drawback. In this case, you will need to choose a different design or pre-go through the bleaching procedure.
The main advantages of sapphire braces:
- Invisible on the teeth. You can notice them only from a very close distance.
- Prevent plaque formation.
- Decorate with a smile.
- Provide quick addiction.
- Do not disturb diction.
- Do not cause discomfort.
- Do not stain.
- Do not cause allergies.
- Provides easy care.
The cost and installation of sapphire braces is their only drawback. The price of such structures averages 150 thousand rubles and is not an upper limit. Installation requires a highly qualified doctor, since an improperly attached sapphire lock quickly collapses.
Combined systems
Bracket systems consisting of several materials are called combined. They are used when they want to combine aesthetics and accessibility. For example, upper braces are selected from sapphire and ceramics. On lower teeth, which are practically invisible during conversation and during a smile, cheaper metal ones are installed.
Braces can be combined within the same jaw. In the smile zone, on six front teeth, the installation of sapphire or ceramic locks is possible. And then the metal is attached. There is no need to install an expensive design on all teeth.
Vestibular systems
Most patients are accustomed to having the braces on the front of the tooth. This mount is called vestibular. The advantages of such an installation include:
- Affordable price.
- Effectiveness in the treatment of all malocclusion.
- Easy to care.
- Fast addictive.
Cons of the vestibular system are also available. This is noticeable on the teeth, especially metal structures. And also a high probability of developing damage to the gums and teeth.
Lingual braces
Locks that are installed on the lingual surface of the tooth are called lingual. They are completely invisible to others. At the same time, they can eliminate almost all malocclusions.
Such a system is always made of metal, which means that it is highly durable. Lingual braces are ideal for people with a public profession. Despite the fact that they are made of metal, their cost can be much higher than sapphire locks.
Advantages of lingual systems:
- The sturdy construction allows you to correct any problems with a bite.
- Tooth enamel is not damaged.
- Gold can be used to make the structure, which is important for allergy sufferers.
- The treatment takes place in a comfortable environment, as others are not aware of the presence of braces.
- You can independently evaluate the positive changes in a few weeks or months after the start of treatment.
Unfortunately, not only advantages are lingual braces. Pros and cons of any design. The disadvantages of lingual systems include:
- Long adaptation period.
- Problems with diction.
- Very high price.
- Problems finding an orthodontist. Not all specialists are able to properly mount lingual systems.
- Long installation.
- Treatment takes longer.
Installation cost
The most expensive of all these orthodontic structures are lingual systems. The price of braces can be about 400 thousand rubles. A monthly correction will cost another 7 thousand.
Of the vestibular, sapphire ones will cost the most. Their oriented cost is 150-160 thousand rubles. A monthly correction will require another 2.5 thousand. Ceramic will cost a little cheaper. Depending on the clinic and the qualifications of the doctor, the price can be from 70 to 120 thousand rubles. In order to install metal locks, 35 thousand are enough.
At the request of the patient, the orthodontist can combine different systems. For example, to put on the upper jaw more expensive sapphire or ceramic. And on the lower teeth - metal. You can keep the aesthetics, but reduce the cost even more if you install sapphire locks only on the smile zone. In this case, the cost will be calculated individually.
Braces Care
To keep the braces intact and the teeth healthy, the structure must be properly looked after. Solid foods, sticky sweets, and coloring drinks should be avoided. In addition, you will have to brush your teeth more thoroughly. To do this, you need to purchase:
- braces brushes;
- special dental wax;
- flosses for orthodontic constructions;
- anti-fog mirror with backlight for self-diagnosis;
- irrigator;
- beam brush;
- rinse aid.
After installing the system, the orthodontist should tell the patient in detail how to brush their teeth with braces. A brush, like a regular brush, will have to be used daily, several times a day. It is very important to carefully clean the plaque and food debris between the braces and gums. Particular attention will need to be paid to each lock.
Advantages and disadvantages of braces
Bracket systems are able to cope with the most complex pathologies of the bite. In this case, the patient has the opportunity to choose any design that suits him at the price and appearance. The main advantages of braces are:
- Correction of pathology of any complexity.
- Lack of age restrictions.
- Getting a beautiful smile.
- The ability to choose the right bracket system.
- Lack of intense pain. The installation of braces does not cause discomfort to the patient. It may appear during treatment. An orthodontist should talk about how much his teeth hurt after installing braces at the first consultation. Most often, discomfort appears in the first days after installation. This is due to the pressure exerted by the arc. Gradually, the patient gets used and the pain completely disappears.
The disadvantages of the design include the complexity of hygiene procedures. And also a rather long period during which it will be necessary to wear braces.
Removing the bracket system
Sometimes patients want to save time on visiting the dentist and think about how to remove braces on their own. Without special tools and skills, this can not be done competently. Attempts to remove braces on their own are likely to result in injury to the teeth, mucous membranes and gums.
Even if it is possible to remove the structure without serious injuries, it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely clear the enamel. You can get rid of glue residues only with the help of special polishing.
Relapse prevention
In order to preserve the result obtained after treatment with braces, special designs are used - retainers. In appearance they resemble ordinary wires. They are attached to the lingual surface of the tooth. Retainers are completely invisible to others.
The term of their use depends on many factors. For example, from the age of the patient. The older he is, the longer it will take to wear a retainer. In some cases, this design is left for life. She absolutely does not interfere with talking and eating. The retainer is invisible even to the patient himself.
A good result is the use of mouthguards. First, it must be worn constantly, taking off only while eating. Over time, it is used only at night. In the event that the treatment with braces was carried out in a child or adolescent, prolonged use of mouthguards is not required.