Hi, it's Mia Armonde here to talk to you about family dentistry. As my small family grew into a large one, I found myself at the dental office on a regular basis. Every six months, the kids would go into the dentist for a cleaning or repairs to their teeth. During that time, I took an interest in the various ways the dental tools were evolving. Tools used in the dental industry have grown in leaps and bounds in the last few decades. For example, my kids went from hearing the dental drill to wearing headphones that completely canceled out the sound. Each time we go back into the dentist, I take a close look at the improvements that have arisen since the last visit. The results are astounding. I will cover my findings on this site, so you can also enjoy the improvements to dental tools and techniques.
When it comes to straightening a person's smile, few solutions have the proven track record of dental braces. Putting on braces is big business, and folks in the trade have devised a variety of ways to get the job done. You might be confused about what each of these approaches accomplishes so let's lake a look at their pros and cons.
Metal
Almost anyone who pictures dental braces is apt to first imagine the metal versions. These are the ones that are obvious enough in appearance that they serve as the signal in movies that a character is "the kid with braces." Appearance, no question, is a major downside for many people who are uncomfortable about their smiles.
One of the biggest virtues of metal models is cost. They also have a longer track record, and they can be trusted in many situations where alternatives just aren't viable.
Ceramic
Matching braces as closely as possible to the color of the teeth they're on is one way to address the problem of appearance. Ceramic models closely match the color of teeth, and it's even possible to get wires that are colored to match. They're generally more expensive than metal ones, and staining can be a concern if a wearer doesn't take very close care of them.
Linguals
Most kinds of dental braces mount to the front of teeth. Lingual models are meant to attach to the back of the teeth. The main upside is appearance, especially if you have to have a metal system put in.
On the downside, they can be very difficult to clean due to positioning in the mouth. Likewise, many wearers find them to be uncomfortable. That can be especially problematic for wearers who habitually tongue anything that's in their mouths.
Self-Litigating Braces
The majority of systems require repeated adjustments by a doctor to ensure that the teeth are moving in the desired direction. Self-litigating ones, on the other hand, use a sliding system that eliminates the need for regular adjustments, and that means fewer doctor visits. Not all practitioners are trained in using self-litigating systems, though. Likewise, many patients are not considered good candidates for them.
Expanders
When overcrowding in the mouth is the main issue, one solution is to expand the space between the teeth. Expanders are fit to the palate, and they're meant to move teeth further apart by applying pressure to the molars.
Share8 August 2019
