So, you’ve been diagnosed with an orthodontic issue – now to decide on treatment options. Orthodontic treatment is a significant investment of time and money. You want to make sure you’re using the right product. In this post, our Montreal dentists describe commonly used devices and products.
What are some popular orthodontic products?
Which orthodontic treatment option or product will work best for you will likely be determined by the nature of your orthodontic issue, its severity or complexity, and other factors. Financial considerations are also an issue. These are just some orthodontist- and dentist-recommended orthodontic treatment options that are typically used to help straighten patients' teeth. You and your orthodontist or dentist will need to make the decision regarding which one works for you.
Traditional Braces
Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, traditional braces have received some upgrades in the past few decades to become more streamlined, and lighter in structure and weight than in years past.
Braces apply pressure to your teeth in order to gradually move them into their recommended positions. They are made of premium stainless steel and have metal brackets attached by a thin archwire and tiny elastics. Numerous straightforward and complicated orthodontic problems, including misalignment, excessive spacing, overcrowding, crooked teeth, and crossbite, can be resolved with braces.
Braces are fixed, which means you can’t remove them to eat, drink, brush or floss. Though braces treatment will necessarily eliminate some foods from your diet (very hard or sticky foods, for instance), you won’t have to do the mental work of counting your hours of wear time during the day as you would with clear aligners (see below).
Ceramic Braces
These braces work much like traditional braces. The difference is that the brackets are made out of tooth-coloured ceramic, making them appear to be transparent.
These braces are a popular option for adults who require orthodontic treatment but may not be eligible for clear aligners because they have a more discrete appearance. However, keep in mind that the elastics can discolour and will need extra care when brushing and flossing.
Clear & Removable Aligners
For adults who require orthodontic treatment but prefer a less conspicuous option, clear aligners are a common substitute for braces. Because clear aligners are removable, you can take them out to eat, drink, brush your teeth, and floss. Numerous patients discover that they complement their lifestyle and enable them to continue enjoying their favourite foods.
However, you’ll need to wear them for 22 hours a day for them to work, so sticking with your custom treatment plan and remembering to track your daily wear time, meal times and any time your clear aligners will not be worn is critical.
You’ll also need to brush and floss your teeth every time you eat or drink anything other than water, before you put your braces back in, to prevent bacteria from getting trapped between your teeth and the aligners and causing tooth decay and cavities.
Retainers
A custom retainer is typically made of wires and clear plastic, and it can be either a fixed or a removable appliance. Following treatment with braces or transparent aligners, they are primarily used to maintain your teeth's alignment. If yours is detachable, it should initially be worn constantly, with the exception of when you eat or brush your teeth.
Like braces, retainers also require careful care and maintenance to work as they should and keep your teeth in place.
Palate Expanders
Commonly used for patients with overcrowded teeth, palatal expansion and tooth extraction are two common options.
Despite the fact that tooth extractions were once more common, orthodontists of today will frequently suggest a palate expander, which is fitted to your palate and applies pressure to the backs of your upper molars to gradually space your teeth apart.
Over time, this expands your palate, making it possible for other types of braces to be used to correct the position of misaligned teeth.
Forsus Appliances
Today, children as young as 7 years old can be screened by dentists and orthodontists to determine if they are good candidates for early orthodontic treatment. If so, a Forsus appliance can be used, among other appliances, as a form of treatment.
A spring on the Forsus appliance attaches to braces to bring the upper or lower jaw into position. These have mostly replaced the use of headgear for braces and are commonly used to help correct stubborn overbites.
