Braces & Dental Aligners

Braces are fitted by dentists or orthodontists as part of a treatment plan to move your teeth into a position that corrects several different dental or jaw alignment problems. Not only will braces help align and straighten your teeth but will also help improve your overall dental health.

What are braces?

Braces work by exerting an even, constant pressure onto teeth to help move them to the desired position. The procedure may start with the use of separators to create space between the back-molar teeth. After the separators are removed, bands are placed around the molars that will anchor the braces in position.

A small bracket is then glued to each tooth using dental cement. A wire is placed through each bracket and attached to the bands. This creates the pressure that will slowly move the teeth into position. Regular visits to the orthodontist/dentist are required to check the progress of the teeth and adjust the tension as required.

Braces require in which dental conditions?

Braces can be used as a treatment option for several dental conditions where the teeth need to be moved into a new position. These can include crooked teeth, crowded teeth, large gaps between teeth, overbites, and underbites. Braces are not just a cosmetic procedure to improve the look of your smile – they can also be a permanent orthodontic solution to serious dental conditions such as misaligned and underdeveloped jaws which can affect normal jaw development and general health.

Common types of braces

• Metal braces are the traditional type of braces and can be used to correct most dental problems.
• Ceramic braces are exactly the same as metal braces but less noticeable. The brackets can be clear or tooth-coloured while the wires are far less noticeable.
• Lingual braces are attached to the back surface of the teeth so they are virtually unnoticeable. They can irritate the tongue and it takes a bit more effort to keep them clean.