As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
Dental misalignment, which is also known as malocclusion, is a common condition with varying levels of severity. If your teeth are positioned poorly, you will experience problems such as difficulty when chewing, speech problems or even alteration of your general facial appearance. The misalignment problem is usually hereditary, meaning it is passed down through familial lineage. However, there are other causes and contributing factors, including thumb sucking, injury to the jaw and prolonged bottle usage in developmental years. Normally, misalignment problems can be rectified using braces which facilitate the repositioning of teeth. Here are the primary types of braces that you should consider choosing for your treatment plan.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are designed and fabricated using metal materials. Basically, this type of braces consists of a metal wire with brackets that are placed on individual teeth. The design is favourable because it pushes the teeth into the desired position quickly. Moreover, there are modern heat activated wires which utilise body heat to improve the efficiency of the braces. On the other hand, traditional braces are conspicuous and this can be uncomfortable for most people. However, you can select smaller brackets or coloured ones, depending on personal preference.
Ceramic Braces
The design of ceramic braces is similar to the one used in manufacturing the metal alternatives. As implied, these are made from ceramic material, so the brackets are tooth-coloured. You can even request for similarly coloured wires to improve the general aesthetics. The colour property makes them less conspicuous compared to metal wires. These are ideal for you if you are in an environment that would not appreciate the prominence of traditional braces. Unfortunately, ceramic braces are considerably expensive. In addition, the ceramic brackets can stain easily if proper dental care is not upheld.
Lingual braces
The main advantage of choosing lingual braces is that the dental device will be invisible to people. These braces are also constructed like the traditional braces; this means that they are metal products which consist of a wire and metal brackets. However, the design is made for installation on the internal surface of the teeth. This makes it completely unnoticeable after placement. Regrettably, the lingual braces are quite expensive and they are not suitable if your misalignment is severe. In addition, they are more difficult to keep clean and you will experience discomfort.
You should also inquire about clear aligners from your family dentist when seeking assistance for malocclusion. These are plastic trays that are inconspicuous and can correct mild misalignment with relative ease.
Share11 April 2016