What Is Braces?
Dental Braces
They are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help position them with regard to a person’s bite, while also aiming to improve dental health.
What Are The Braces Used For?
Braces are dental tools that help correct problems with your teeth, like crowding, crooked teeth, or teeth that are out of alignment. Many people get braces when they’re teenagers, but adults get them too. As you wear them, braces slowly straighten and align your teeth so you have a normal bite.
What Are Dental Braces Made Of?
Traditional braces are made of high quality stainless steel or titanium. The three main components of braces are: Brackets Brackets are attached to the teeth using special glue that bonds them to the tooth and holds them in place.
How Long Should I Wear Braces?
On average, it takes about 24 months to complete an orthodontic treatment. Some patients require less than 12 months, but there are also patients requiring up to 3 years of treatment before their teeth reach the desired position. Orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all solution and each patient’s mouth is unique.
Why Braces Are Good For Your Teeth?
They Prevent Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
And if you can’t clean your teeth properly, plaque and bacteria will build up and cause gum disease and tooth decay. When you opt for braces, your teeth will gradually straighten out, making it easier to brush and floss your teeth with much ease.
Do Braces Make Teeth Stronger?
Straightened teeth reduce these areas and provide an easier-to-clean smile. The ability to clean all sides and areas of the tooth decreases your chance of bacteria buildup, which leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Better Bite: Braces correct bite issues like overbite or crossbite in addition to straightening teeth.
Are Braces Metal or Steel?
Metal braces are made of stainless steel brackets and wires. Rubber bands—called ligatures—attach the wires to the brackets. Traditional braces are comprised of brackets, wires, and ligatures as the main parts. Self-ligating braces have clips instead of ligatures that hold the wires to the brackets.
Which Braces Are Faster?
While the speed of the process is highly determined by the type of issue you are dealing with, most experts seem to agree that the clear aligners are the quickest way to straighten your teeth.
What Is A Good Age To Get Braces?
However, a general rule of thumb is your kids should look at getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, this is before they’ve gone through puberty. If they’ve already gone through it, this means it’ll be harder to adjust their jaw and/or teeth, as they’ve already settled into their post-puberty positions.
Procedure for applying braces;
There are usually three basic phases of treatment for misaligned teeth:
- The initial placement of the braces: Brackets are attached to teeth along with an arch wire and sometimes ring-like bands to hold the braces in place.
- The brace is adjusted periodically until the desired alignment is achieved. The mouth may feel sore for a few days after an adjustment or tightening.
- A retainer is worn after removal of braces to stabilize the teeth.
Types Of Braces;
- Traditional metal wired braces are stainless-steel and are sometimes used in combination with titanium. Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces. These braces have a metal bracket with elastic (rubber band) ties holding the wire onto the metal brackets. The second-most common type of braces is self-ligating braces that do not require elastic ties. Instead, the wire goes through the bracket. Often with this type of braces, treatment time is reduced, there is less pain on the teeth, and fewer adjustments are required than with traditional braces.
- Gold-plated stainless steel braces are often employed for patients allergic to nickel (a basic and important component of stainless steel), but may also be chosen because some people simply prefer the look of gold over the traditional silver-coloured braces.
- Lingual braces are a cosmetic alternative in which custom-made braces are bonded to the back of the teeth making them externally invisible.
- Titanium braces resemble stainless-steel braces but are lighter and just as strong. People with allergies to the nickel in steel often choose titanium braces, but they are more expensive than stainless steel braces.
- Customized orthodontic treatment systems combine high-technology including 3-D imaging, treatment planning software and a robot to custom bend the wire. Customized systems such as this offer faster treatment times and more efficient results.
- Progressive, clear removable aligners may be used to gradually move teeth into their final positions. Aligners are generally not used for complex orthodontic cases, such as when extractions, jaw surgery, or palate expansion are necessary.
How Long Do Braces Last?
Most patients will need to wear fixed braces for around 18 to 24 months. For problems that are harder to correct, or for our older patients, treatment may take up to three years. If you have less severe issues or are a good candidate for clear aligners like Invisalign, treatment may take as little as 6 to 12 months.
Benefits Of Braces;
- They will enhance your appearance
- They make it easier to brush and floss your teeth
- Orthodontic treatment prevents tooth decay and gum disease
- Braces can fix your bite
- They prevent dental injuries
- Braces can improve your speech
- They help with digestion
- Braces prevent bone erosion
- Orthodontic treatment is very effective
- Braces reduce the risk for temporomandibular joint disorder
Teeth Braces Prices In Ghana;
In Ghana, the cost of getting yourself a teeth brace ranges between Ghc 8,000.00 to Ghc 12,000.00.