A beautiful smile helps not only enjoy the positive moments, but also gain self-confidence. Unfortunately, not everyone from birth can boast of perfectly even teeth and the right bite. In order not to be shy about your smile, the situation with crooked teeth should be corrected as soon as possible. And the main assistant in the fight for a smile are braces. Reviews about the installation of braces and the consequences of such therapy for teeth help clients of the dental clinic decide for themselves whether to take such a serious step on the path to a Hollywood smile.
What are bracket systems?
Braces are fixed-type orthodontic appliances for aligning the dentition. They can be installed on the external or internal side of the teeth, the upper and / or lower jaw.
Bracket systems are installed and removed only by an orthodontist. He also advises clients on the need to wear the device.
At what age can braces be worn?
Patients can do correction of crooked teeth both in childhood and in more mature age. Dentists do not recommend braces up to 9 years, while a young patient still has a dentition.
The optimal time for alignment using this method is 12 years. The earlier the installation of the system begins, the less time it may take to achieve the optimal result. There is no upper limit for braces.
Prior to braces, young patients can be attributed to the use of special orthodontic plates and trainers. These devices will help correct the bite, as well as eliminate minor defects. They, unlike bracket systems, are removable.
Types of bracket systems: description, features
If the patient wants to correct the bite or individual teeth with the help of braces, he will be interested in not only the price, but also the types of orthodontic systems. There are 4 types of braces depending on the material:
- metal;
- plastic;
- ceramic;
- sapphire.
The principle of appointment of bracket systems of different textured material is the same - getting rid of tooth defects. But the appearance of the braces is different from each other. This also applies to their cost.
Metal bracket systems
These are the most inexpensive and common braces. In the manufacture of orthodontic devices, stainless steel, an alloy of titanium and nickel, are used. Reviews of metal braces (installation, wearing) in 9 out of 10 cases are positive.
Advantages of metal bracket systems:
- Strength is the main advantage of this type. Braces made of metal are practically not subject to destructive action.
- The friction force between the components of the system β the arc and the groove β is minimal in metal systems. This means that treatment with metal bracket systems will be faster than with more aesthetic braces.
- Low price. They are 2-3 times cheaper than sapphire braces and 40-70% plastic and ceramic.
But these braces also have disadvantages:
- According to reviews, metal braces, unlike other types, are very noticeable on the teeth. This causes some discomfort, especially in patients under the age of 20 years, who are very meticulous in their appearance.
- Sometimes, with improper installation, metal braces can rub, cause discomfort. To reduce the negative impact, you need to ask the orthodontist to sharpen the protruding surfaces and irregularities in the system. This will eliminate additional discomfort and reduce friction.
Many do not dare to install braces made of metal due to the fact that they are very noticeable on the teeth. But the results of surveys in popular medical-related publications showed that others are friendly to people who are forced to wear metal bracket systems. They do not consider this a sign that affects the decline in attractiveness. Moreover, wearing braces cannot be the reason why respondents could refuse close communication with another person.
Plastic braces
Plastic is one of the universal and common materials that is also used in orthodontics. Plastic braces are also an affordable way to fix smile defects, but they differ from metal ones.
Advantages of the system:
- Aesthetic appearance. The shade of the braces is selected according to the color of the dentition, which makes them almost invisible to the surrounding.
- Low price. They are significantly cheaper than sapphire and ceramic bracket systems.
- Pain during correction is minimized. The option is suitable for sensitive patients and those who are afraid of visits to the dentist (and even more so, the orthodontist).
But the attractive appearance and low price should not distract from the main purpose - correction of the bite. In this regard, plastic braces have several disadvantages:
- Slowed effect on the dentition. Due to their smooth effect, the wearing of the plastic system increases by 6 to 12 months.
- Special diet. Plastic, the color of which is selected according to the natural color of the teeth, has the property of being painted in the first days of installation. This forces patients to refuse food with food colors (soda, wine) and anything that can leave a coating (strong tea and coffee) for 1-2 weeks after installation.
- Fragility. They are 70-80% more susceptible to the damaging effects of solid materials than metal. This causes certain inconvenience to those who are used to eating solid foods. For the same reason, plastic braces are not recommended for children to install in order to avoid frequent replacement of the system.
- The increase in the cost of treatment with frequent changes. Fragility sometimes forces patients to seek system repair, which leads to financial costs and an increase in the duration of treatment.
According to reviews, the installation of braces made of plastic does not differ from the metal system. But they are not so demanded because of obvious shortcomings in treatment.
Ceramic bracket systems
If metal and plastic braces can be attributed to an economical option for correction of occlusion, then systems made of ceramic material can afford few. Ceramic braces combine the strength of metal and the aesthetics of plastic, which allows you to combine effective, quick correction of the bite and an attractive appearance.
Advantages of ceramic braces:
- Strength. They, like metal, are less prone to deformation and change.
- Aesthetic appearance. Ceramics are also matched to the color of the dentition. It is practically not noticeable to others.
- The absence of allergies. Metal (even titanium and nickel) can cause allergies in some patients. According to reviews on the installation of ceramic braces, not a single case of an allergic reaction was recorded.
Despite the obvious advantages, this method of achieving a beautiful smile also cannot boast of 100% impeccability. It's connected with:
- The high cost of the material. To pay for beauty without a metal "taste" will have three times more than when installing a budget option.
- Possible coloring of ceramics. Despite the more expensive material, ceramics are subject to coloring, as is plastic. It also forces patients to temporarily abandon certain types of products.
- Enamel deformation. Prolonged (2-3 years) wearing of the system can have a negative effect on the condition of tooth enamel. After braces, every 4th patient is forced to consult a dentist to restore enamel mineralization.
- An increase in the timing of correction of the bite. Correction of a bite by a ceramic bracket system is faster than with a plastic system, but inferior in speed to a mechanism made of metal material.
Sapphire Braces
The most expensive of the bracket systems are sapphire. When installing them, a metal arc made of Teflon coated with white enamel can be used. Due to the transmission of light, such braces are almost invisible to others. Some perceive sapphire systems as a decoration for the dentition, with the ability to correct a smile.
Advantages of braces made from artificially grown sapphires:
- Invisible to others. Orthodontic sapphires let in light, making them look transparent on their teeth. The metal arc does not create the feeling of a bulky structure in the mouth and can be painted with Teflon in white.
- Effective in correcting difficult cases. They are stronger than plastic or ceramic, therefore, like metal, they are more often used in patients with frankly bad bite.
- Do not cause discomfort during installation. Due to the neat shape of the arc and the material, they do not scratch the mucous membrane.
With the use of sapphires when installing braces, occlusion correction takes place within 0.5 - 3 years, depending on the complexity of the case.
Disadvantages of sapphire braces:
- High price. There is no company in Russia that is engaged in the manufacture of structures. Therefore, sapphire braces are so expensive. The main material is made by growing artificial sapphires abroad.
- Relative fragility. Sapphires, despite their durability, can break due to the action of hard objects. Therefore, patients with braces are not recommended to eat nuts and other solid foods.
- Duration of wearing. Correction of the bite with a braces system with sapphires requires patience from patients: wearing stable mechanisms can drag on for 2 years or more.
Lingual (aesthetic) braces
Most citizens, with the word βbraces,β represent a stable mechanism on the outside of the dentition, which is noticeable to those around them. But there are invisible teeth alignment systems. They are called lingual braces and are located inside the dentition. This type of alignment is completely invisible to others.
Aesthetic braces are installed after consultation with the orthodontist. Unlike braces, which are located on the outside, they can not always cope with serious defects. Therefore, orthodontists use this type of occlusion correction in simple cases.
Patient reviews about braces inside the dentition are contradictory. They, like the classic bracket systems, have their pros and cons.
Advantages of aesthetic braces:
- invisible to others;
- help correct the bite even in adulthood.
The lack of constraint while wearing braces that are invisible to others cannot hide the obvious flaws of the system:
- Very high cost. They are 2 times more expensive than conventional braces.
- Not used in difficult cases.
- The installation and wearing of such braces is perceived by patients to be much more painful than with classical systems.
Bracket Installation Guidelines
Before placing braces, the patient should consult a dentist. Installation and removal of braces is carried out by the orthodontist.
Before installation, it is recommended that you check your teeth for tooth decay. It is much more difficult to cure problem teeth while wearing the bracket system, and in some cases it is impossible to do without damaging the mechanism. Therefore, orthodontists are strongly recommended to deal with the rehabilitation of the oral cavity before installing braces.
According to reviews, the installation of a bracket system is best entrusted to a professional. To do this, before going to the doctor, you should carefully study the opinion of a specialist on forums or thematic sites.
Since the treatment takes a long period of time, the patient will have to repeatedly meet with a specialist to twist the arc and view the result. Therefore, it is important to choose a doctor based on your own preferences and comfort. An experienced orthodontist will not only inspire confidence at the consultation stage, but will also be able to minimize the time spent on treatment to a minimum.
Before installing braces, you should determine their appearance. This affects the cost of treatment and the appearance of a smile while wearing the mechanism.
The cost of installing braces
One of the questions that worries all patients: "How much does it cost to put braces on your teeth?" Not all patients can afford to install braces. According to reviews, the installation of a bracket system is not a cheap option for correcting the dentition. The cost of braces also depends on the type of material chosen and the region in which dentistry is located.
The most expensive bracket systems in the metropolitan area. Here, patients will have to pay at least 50 thousand rubles for metal braces. The price includes taking a cast, installing a bracket system, getting dental care accessories (brushes for teeth, a special toothbrush).
Plastic braces are 10-30% more expensive. For their installation will have to pay up to 100 thousand rubles.
Even more expensive are ceramic bite correction systems. They will cost the patient 100-150 thousand rubles. The cost of ceramic braces may vary depending on the company in which the base for the system will be manufactured.
The most expensive are sapphire braces. They are almost invisible on the teeth, for which patients of the dental clinic must deposit at least 180-200 thousand rubles in cash.
The final cost is affected by the choice of medical institution. Some companies are ready to make a discount for customers, while others, on the contrary, cooperate only with expensive suppliers and offer exclusive options.
In the regions, the installation of braces is cheaper. The client can find out the addresses for installing braces via the Internet: in every city with a population of at least 50 thousand people there is at least one private company. Since the service is not included in the number of state services that can be obtained under the compulsory medical insurance policy for free, you will have to choose a clinic with the most favorable reviews, prices and service.
How much are the braces (prices in the regions):
- metal - 15-40 thousand rubles.
- plastic - 45-60 thousand rubles.
- ceramic - 65-80 thousand rubles.
- sapphire - 85-100 thousand rubles.
There are regions (Oryol Oblast, Kursk, Kaluga) in which patients can install the bracket system even cheaper without compromising treatment.
Bracket Installation Reviews
Wanting to correct the bite with the help of bracket systems, clients of dental clinics want to be sure of the result. The treatment process takes at least 6 months, and the installation cost is from 15 to 200 thousand rubles. Such a mechanism requires not only financial costs and constant visits to the doctor, but also patience.
What patients themselves say about wearing and installing braces:
- The most positive reviews are about metal braces for correcting a malocclusion. Despite the not attractive appearance, they are very effective in treatment. In addition, metal bracket systems are the cheapest in orthodontics. According to reviews, the installation of metal braces is unpleasant by the presence of rough edges (material features). They can scratch the mouth, rub, cause discomfort.
- The process of wearing braces requires regular care. This is not only thorough oral hygiene with the help of special devices (brushes, brushes), but also visits to the orthodontist at least 1 time in 1.5 months.
Braces Nutrition
In reviews about the alignment of teeth there is a description of how the installation and wearing of the system in the first 1-5 days can cause discomfort due to pressure on the dentition. Therefore, in the first days after installation, it is recommended to reduce the load on the teeth by eating light-to-chew food. These are mashed potatoes, cereals, soups.
Some products will have to be completely abandoned. These are nuts, seeds, food with dyes (relevant for all types except metal ones), chewing gums, nougat, gozinaki, some sweets (toffee, candy).
Chocolate is not the food that orthodontists prohibit, but the pieces of nuts and fruits that are found on the tile can damage the enamel. Brushing small pieces stuck between the teeth takes 5 to 20 minutes a day. If this is not done, food debris will damage the enamel, which can lead to tooth decay.
Dental treatment during bite correction
In orthodontics, the installation of braces is done by the orthodontist dentist. It is he who can advise on the proper diet and oral care. The main condition for proper treatment is that it should not be to the detriment of the natural state of the dentition.
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