Everyone want those beautiful, perfectly aligned teeth that enhance the entire facial structure. However, this is not something everyone can have. Thus, people look for all the available options to get that beautiful smile. That said, the best available option to get those perfectly aligned teeth, in today’s era, is to get dental braces. But when the thought of getting braces comes to mind, people generally have a lot of questions like How do braces work? How much will they cost? What side effects can I experience? How long does it take for braces to work? and so on.
When you decide to get braces, you will have to make some lifestyle changes to ensure you get the best results from them. The article here covers all the details you must know about braces before going through the process. Read it thoroughly to clarify your doubts and get answers to your questions.
What are Dental Braces?
Dental braces are a highly popular tool used by people with crooked, overcrowded, or improperly aligned teeth to get a perfect smile. Generally, people get their braces during their teenage years, but you can go for braces in adulthood too. As you wear the braces, they will slowly straighten and align your teeth to ensure you get a well-adjusted smile.
There are numerous options available to straighten teeth. One of these includes braces that are customized to fit your specific teeth requirement. When you visit a dentist, they will perform basic alignment and can deal with other teeth problems. So, to get the best services, you must visit an orthodontist as they are specialized in correcting teeth issues.
But remember to research well about the dentist. This will ensure you visit the best to get that perfect alignment for your teeth.
How Do Braces Work?
When the thought of getting braces comes to mind, the first question that strikes in the head is how braces work? It is absolutely valid to enquire about all the details before opting for braces. The more you will understand the process, the better it will be. There are various components of braces that work together to fix a specific oral problem. The components include rubber bands, brackets, wire, and glue.
Here is a detailed explanation on how do braces work.
• Initial consultation appointment
Once you have found the right dentist for your requirement, you must schedule an initial appointment with them to discuss your available options. The professional you visit will perform an oral examination to determine the type of issue and the ways to correct it. Also, they will take an impression of your teeth to customize the braces according to your specific requirement. He will further discuss with you all the available choices of braces. Compare the advantages and drawbacks of all the types of braces to make your decision.
• Attaching the braces
In the second stage, the specialist places the brace on the teeth using a special dental glue. After this, he will put a wire throughout the brackets, which can be placed in different ways to ensure your teeth moves in the correct direction. For the patient diagnosed with bite problems, the specialist uses rubber bands along with the braces to put on more pressure on specific areas of the jaw and teeth.
• Adjustments
For effective reasons, the braces require timely adjustments from the dental professional. Thus, you must never avoid visiting the specialist for your adjustment appointments. The braces are adjusted to put consistent pressure on the teeth to work efficiently. This means adjustments are an essential step of having braces for your teeth alignment.
• Retainers
Once the braces have aligned the teeth perfectly, they are removed. But to ensure the teeth stay in the same position, the patient is required to wear a retainer. The treatment time or the duration you need to wear a retainer varies from one patient to another. However, on average, you have to wear it for at least 12 months.
Are Braces The Right Choice For You?
Now that you know how do braces work for straightening the teeth, you can decide if you should opt for dental braces. But to guarantee the best results from the dental treatment, you must know in detail about the entire process.
How Long Do Braces Take To Work?
Dental braces are an efficient way of achieving perfectly aligned teeth. However, to achieve the desired teeth structure, you must follow your doctor’s instructions and wear the braces consistently. The time the braces will take to offer your desired results, however, varies from one person to another as there are no two similar cases. There are various factors that decide the time you need to wear the braces for effective results.
• Age
You can opt for dental braces at any age. But they will offer you the best results when you go through orthodontic treatment during your teenage. This is because the teeth and jaw during this time are still growing, which means it is quite easy to shape the teeth in the desired direction.
Once you have attained puberty, the bones settle in the permanent position, making it harder to move them. Thus, it will take more time and effort, but it doesn’t mean you won’t get desired results.
• Type of braces you have chosen
There are numerous braces choices you will get to choose from. All the types have their own advantages and drawbacks. As the different type helps align various issues, it is essential to consider the pros and cons of all the variety and then decide. Based on your decision, the length of your treatment will vary. Generally, metal braces are used to help achieve well-aligned teeth in a short time.
Further not every patient can go for Invisalign as they cannot treat serious oral issues. So better consult your dentist to know which type will offer you maximum benefits. Also, consider your budget before making a decision.
• How well you follow the guidelines
Getting the braces won’t work until you follow proper guidelines. For instance, you must clean your teeth properly in the way your dentist has instructed you. Also, you have to follow various dietary restrictions to get optimum results. In case you are facing issues, visit the clinic as soon as possible. The longer you wait to get the braces corrected, the longer the braces will take to bring your teeth in the desired position. Remember that treatment does not stop with the braces. You have to keep up with a good routine afterward for desired results.
• How misplaced or improperly aligned your teeth are
The placement of your teeth plays a significant role in deciding the time the braces will take to offer optimum results. When you have extremely crooked teeth, then the treatment will take a good amount of time as it will be challenging to shift the teeth in the desired position. For severe cases, the dentist will advise to wear the braces for a minimum of three years.
How Much Do Braces Cost?
Braces are the corrective device that teenagers use to get perfectly aligned teeth. They are an effective dental treatment that has helped many achieve the desired results. But remember, the cost of getting dental braces is high. However, the price varies depending on varying factors like the place you live, the type of braces you have chosen, the duration of treatment, the specialist you have chosen, etc.
But on average, you can expect to get your dental braces at the cost of $3,000 to $10,000. There are various dental insurance companies that cover the treatment cost. To enquire about all of them to get maximum benefits.
Furthermore, here is a breakdown of cost of braces with or without insurance.
• Average cost of braces with insurance
Generally, dental insurance companies do not offer their help for covering the dental treatment cost of adults. However, few companies can offer you some coverage. If you have insurance that partially or fully covers the cost of dental treatments, you will get the aid only when there is a medical reason for getting braces.
The dental service providers cover the cost of dental braces partially for children under 18. Further, the insurance providers cover only the cost of traditional metal braces. So if you choose the expensive options, you have to pay for the difference amount. If you have a nice insurance policy to cover your dental treatment, then you can expect to get the braces at the cost of $3,407.
• Average cost of braces without insurance
The cost of getting braces varies greatly based on the specific requirement of the patient. You can expect to pay somewhat between $5000 to $6000 for traditional metal braces without insurance coverage. If you choose the expensive options, then the cost will increase greatly to $10,000.
How Are Braces Put On?
Getting braces during teenage is quite common. After all, everyone wants to have that perfectly aligned, beautiful-looking smile. While you need not have technical expertise, having an idea about how braces are put on will ensure you stay prepared for the process.
Before the braces
Before you visit the clinic to get braces, there are some steps you need to follow. The first of which is finding a reliable dentist. After this, you need to get all the information about the treatment and choose the right type of braces for your requirement. The doctor will further take X-rays and photographs of your teeth along with the impression to customize a brace as per your specific situation.
Getting the braces
• Cleaning the teeth
The process of getting braces begins with prepping up the teeth. The first step is essential to help form a tight seal between the braces and the teeth.
• Application of adhesive
After a thorough cleaning, the dentist will apply glue on the teeth to place the bracket, which traditionally is on the front of the teeth. You also have the option to opt for lingual braces, which are applied on the back or the tongue side.
• Bracket placement
The dentist will now put small ceramic squares, which will help put pressure on the teeth and move it to the desired place. He will then precisely place the bracket in a pattern suitable for teeth issues.
• Drying the adhesive
To ensure the bracket stays in place, the dentist will use a blue curing light to dry the adhesive. The light will help dry the glue properly and ensure the brackets do not move.
• Placing the wire in brackets
The final step is connecting the brackets with a wire. A small rubber is used to place a thin wire on the bracket. When opting for traditional metal braces, you have the option to choose from tons of colors. Once the dentist has successfully put on the braces, he will guide you about after-care and precautions. You must ensure to follow all the guidelines to achieve the desired results. Also, visit the center for timely adjustments to improve the results of the braces.
How Do Braces Work On Crowded Teeth?
Crooked teeth are the most common reason why people opt for braces. It is especially popular for overcrowded cases. When you visit a dentist, he will guide you about the types of braces available, depending upon the severity of the case and where the crowding is.
The permanent dental braces is generally ceramic or metal brackets connected by a metal wire that puts adequate pressure on the teeth to move them around efficiently. With all the pressure put on the teeth, they get aligned in the right position.
Do Braces Hurt?
The patients have a lot of questions about the braces procedure. The most common of which is, do braces hurt? Braces are used for correcting various oral issues like overcrowding, crooked teeth, and overbite. If you are feeling anxious about the process, then here are the details that will offer your peace.
You can stay relaxed and calm as there is very little chance of facing any discomfort from braces, and they are totally manageable. Based on your teeth’ condition, the time period for using the braces will vary. But there is nothing to worry about as it will be easy and convenient. One of the most efficient ways you can calm yourself is by having adequate information about the process. So here are the details of every step. Besides this, there are also tips for managing the discomfort.
• Placement of braces
During the placement of braces, you won’t feel any pain. But remember, every discomfort and paintolerance level vary from one person to another. During the 90 to 120 minutes procedure, there is very little chance of being hurt or feeling any pain. But in case you feel, make sure to alert your orthodontist.
After getting your braces, you can move ahead with your daily life. But remember to consume solid food items as you will face some difficulty in chewing for the first few days. It will be beneficial to rely on soups, pudding, mashed potatoes, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and other soft food items. If you opt for chewy food, you will take longer than usual to complete your meal as you need time to adjust to the change.
• Few days after getting braces
You will start feeling some discomfort as your teeth will begin to align. You still won’t be used to the pressure the orthodontic hardware will be putting on your teeth. So if you continue to feel discomfort even after three days, then it’s better to visit your orthodontist. The braces are meant to apply gentle pressure, which means you won’t take enough time to adapt to the change.
• After every orthodontic appointment
During your time of wearing the braces, you will have to make a timely visit to the orthodontist clinic for periodic adjustments. It is essential because when the braces start aligning the teeth, you will be eating regular food and cleaning the teeth. Thus it is essential to visit the orthodontist every 6 to 10 weeks for the braces checkup. The adjustment of the braces will ensure it continues to perform the job efficiently.
After every orthodontist appointment, there is a chance you will feel some discomfort. The symptoms here will be similar to those you have dealt with after the first few days of getting braces.
With all the details, it is clear that you won’t feel any pain, but there is a chance of slight discomfort after alignment. Also, you will need time to adjust to the change. And based on all this information, you can then decide if braces are the right choice for you or not.
Tips To Get Relief From Discomfort Out Of Braces
When you have ongoing orthodontic treatment, you might experience swelling gum, irritation, and headaches. Further, there can be discomforts and irritation post adjustment. Here are few remedies you can use.
- Use warm salt water for rinsing your mouth. Make solution with a tablespoon of salt and cup of warm water. Use it to gargle properly.
- You can use some pain medications to get relief in case of extreme situations. Some of the relievers include ibuprofen or acetaminophen. But make sure to consult your orthodontist before taking any pain medications.
- Cold and soft food will help you greatly in getting relief. Try eating foods like frozen yogurt and ice cream as they are comforting
- You can purchase orthodontic relief wax from your local pharmacy. Using a small amount of wax on your braces, you will keep them from rubbing against the inside of your mouth.
During the initial time of getting braces, you will feel some discomfort. However, with every adjustment, you will get used to the braces and won’t feel any issue. Your orthodontist doesn’t want to make the process painful for you. So in case you are suffering, make sure to inform him as he will offer you proper guidance to get rid of irritation, aches, and other discomforts to enjoy your life just like before. Finally, after adequate time, you will get that flawless and dazzling smile that will make all the discomfort and challenges worth it.
Types of Braces and Cost
To achieve those perfectly aligned teeth, you can use four types of dental braces. However, make sure to consult your dentist to understand the uses and pros and cons of each. This will help make the best choice.
• Standard metal braces
They are the most common type of braces used for getting perfectly aligned teeth. The metal braces include the use of metal wires and brackets for realigning the teeth. When compared to the other options, they are usually the least expensive. But remember, they are highly visible. For getting standard metal braces, you can expect to pay between $3,000 to $7,500.
• Ceramic braces
They are similar to standard metal braces, but here the brackets used are clear in color or like the tooth color, making them a lot less visible. They are costlier than the traditional braces. The price of which can be between $2,000 to $8,500.
• Invisalign braces
These are the clear braces that are made using a mixture of plastics to fit over the teeth. The orthodontist creates a customized pair of braces to suit your specific condition. For customizing the braces, the dentist will take your teeth impression. Similar to the other braces, Invisalign braces put adequate pressure on the specific parts of the teeth you want to move and realign over a period of time.
The benefit of getting Invisalign braces is they are easily removable means you can have comfort during eating and brushing your teeth. The cost of the braces is expensive, which generally falls between $3,000 to $7,000. Further, the orthodontist you choose might recommend some other brand of clear braces which will further impact the total cost.
• Lingual braces
They are a lot similar to the traditional braces. But here the dentist puts the brackets on the backside of the teeth. This makes them nearly invisible, but they are the most expensive option. The price of which will fall between $5,000 to $3,000.
Teeth Braces Side Effects
Every medical procedure comes with some risks and side effects. The same is with the braces. Although you won’t feel pain, there can be some side effects. Further, during the recovery phase, some complications require immediate attention from the specialist. Here are the teeth braces side effects and possible risks.
- Certain allergic reaction to the material of the braces
- Injury to the mouth
- Damage to the braces
- Difficulty in cleaning teeth with braces can lead to cavities
- There is a high chance of mouth sores and ulcers as the wires, and the brackets rub against the inside of the mouth.
- Loosen teeth resulting from the pressure the braces apply on teeth and roots
- Plaque build-up, leading to gum disease. This happens because the food gets caught between the braces, and it is challenging to maintain good oral hygiene with the braces on.
- Root resorption due to shorter root length
- Dizziness
- Soreness
- Headache
- Irritation
How Long Do Braces Take To Straighten Teeth?
The time required for teeth straightening and alignment varies greatly. So when you are concerned about how do braces work, it depends on various factors like the oral issues, crowding or spacing, and the treatment option the patient has chosen. Further, as the jaw has entirely developed before adulthood, the treatment time will extend for some adult patients because their teeth are set permanently. This means getting braces during the teenager is the best option.
Besides this, your biology also greatly affects the teeth straightening treatment time. This means you can either require less or more time as compared to some other patients to achieve desired results. This happens because the requirement of each patient is different and each patient’s teeth respond differently to the treatment.
However, generally, the majority of patients take between 6 months to 2 years for the teeth straightening process with dental braces. You can consult your orthodontist to get a proper answer on how do braces work and an accurate estimate of the time the braces will take to offer adequate results.
Conclusion
Teeth braces are becoming highly popular with people wanting to have that beautiful-looking smile. However, despite the increased popularity, there is still a hesitation in the patients’ minds about braces. They feel there will be discomfort or other side effects which they cannot bear. To clear all the questions and your doubts, it will be beneficial to talk to your orthodontist and take his advice about getting the dental braces and even learning the process of how do braces work.
Besides choosing the right braces, it is also essential to visit a specialized orthodontist for your treatment. The medical support from a reputable dentist will make a great difference in your case and ensure you get treated rightly. Also, it will ensure you get adequate attention and support when you feel any discomfort.
If you have decided to get the dental braces, it is time to consult your specialist to know about the available options and see if you are the right candidate for them. Having a clear idea about the dental process and other necessary details will ensure you have a smooth and convenient experience of getting the dental braces for your teeth alignment.
