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A Comprehensive Guide to How Different Types of Braces Work
Everyone is familiar with braces, especially the metal ones. However, have you ever wondered how they exactly work to fix your teeth? If you have ever considered braces, you may want to know what kind of options are available for you and how they function to straighten your teeth. There are several types of braces including metal, invisible, ceramic and lingual.
Understand how different types of braces work:
Table of Contents
Let’s explore each type in detail below.
How Do Metal Braces Work?
Getting metal braces to fix teeth alignment is the most common orthodontic treatment that people get, but how do they work? Metal braces work by exerting constant direct pressure on your teeth. The pressure comes from the arch wires putting pressure on the brackets of the braces. This will cause your teeth to move into the correct position and eventually fix your teeth alignment problems.
How Do Invisible Braces Work?
Invisible braces, also known as clear aligners, are a set of orthodontic devices that help align teeth. Unlike conventional braces, they are transparent.
If you’re wondering if invisible braces work, the answer is yes. Just like normal braces, they can fix all the common teeth misalignments, such as crowding, overbite, and open bite, among others. But how do they precisely straighten teeth?
After all, invisible braces (clear aligners) are vastly different from metal braces, yet they can accomplish almost the same result. Many people think that they’re effective just by snapping them onto your teeth and that your teeth will move magically. However, that’s not the case.
How Aligner Attachments Help to Straighten Teeth
Invisible braces work by applying gentle pressure on your teeth, slowly and gradually shifting them into the desired position. They are designed to make small movements, so switching from one aligner to the next tends to be more gentle and comfortable.
For particular cases, clients will proceed with something called “attachments”. Think of them as handles for your invisible braces. Aligner attachments are transparent bumps bonded to your teeth and are left there for the entirety of your treatment. The placement and shape of them will depend on the movement required. They help apply pressure from the aligners onto your teeth, directing them into the proper position.
How Do Ceramic Braces Work?
Apart from the brackets being either clear or tooth-coloured, ceramic braces function just like traditional braces. Like their name implies, this type of braces is made of ceramic. They are still functionally capable of treating any teeth misalignments that traditional braces can treat by applying consistent pressure to your teeth. But because the substance is less durable than metal, they can be less long-lasting.
How Do Lingual Braces Work?
Lingual braces are suitable for people who want to be discreet about their braces treatment. If you get this type of braces, it will not be placed in the front of your teeth but rather at the back. Like traditional braces, they are able to correct the majority of alignment issues by exerting pressure on the teeth. The main difference between normal braces and lingual braces is that they are hidden inside the teeth and hence cannot be seen.
While most types of braces work in a similar way, the right one for you will depend on your personal preferences and the condition of your teeth. It’s always best to consult a dentist to make sure you’re choosing the most suitable and effective option for your smile.
Not sure if braces are right for you? Take our free smile consultation — it only takes a minute to find out if you’re a good fit.
