Understanding The Available Teeth Alignment Techniques
Learning about the different ways that a dentist can assist you with teeth alignment issues may leave you wondering what approach is right for you. There are many choices, including traditional braces, invisible aligners and lingual braces. Each approach has its merits, and in many cases, the decision comes down to whether a specific technique is right in light of your condition. Here's what you need to know about each approach in order to make a more informed choice.
Traditional Braces
The old-school mouth full of metal is what folks tend to picture when they think of traditional braces. In addition to metal braces, though, there are also now ceramic options that blend in better with the neighboring teeth and use clear or white elastic ties. The biggest advantage of the metal ones is that they provide durability under a lot of circumstances, while ceramic ones are more prone to chipping.
If you're looking for the least expensive choice, traditional braces are still a proven method. This type is also the most likely to be covered by insurance.
Invisible Aligners
Let's be honest: the appeal of invisible aligners is that you don't look like you have a mouth full of anything. That's the pro sales pitch, and it's a big one.
Aligners, however, are a choice that should only be exercised by people whose circumstances allow them to use them. In particular, emotional maturity and the ability to stick with a disciplined schedule are essential. Many dentists simply won't prescribe them for younger kids because they have to stay in for 22 hours a day. This can also present challenges to athletes; you may struggle to get enough nutrition, hydration and maintenance while cramming meals and brushing sessions into a tight timeframe.
Lingual Braces
These items are described as lingual because the bracing materials go on the back side of the tooth, the side where the tongue is. As the name suggests, one of the big disadvantages is that the tongue will sometimes brush up against the braces. Many people have trouble speaking with them in and have to relearn how to talk with them.
The installation of lingual braces is more highly specialized. While virtually every orthodontist can handle putting in traditional braces, lingual models call for more skill. Not every dentist in the field picks up this talent. Many dental and health insurance plans don't cover lingual braces, too.
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