Uncovering the mystery of braces

A great set of teeth are more than just well… a great set of teeth. When you are confident in your smile, it changes the way the world sees you and how you go about maneuvering in it. The confidence you gain with a great smile can open doors and do wonder for you socially. When you have a rock solid smile and you aren’t afraid to show it off, the world notices.

While there are obvious cosmetic benefits in straightening your smile with braces, it can also help improve your oral and overall health. Crooked teeth can be harder to clean and this can lead to gum disease, decay, tooth loss and other issues. A healthy, aligned smile can help eliminate tenderness, correct painful bites, and alleviate TMJ and other jaw pain.

When teeth are straight and braces have guided them into their proper position, it improves your overall health. That’s how braces work. You can breathe better, it impacts the quality of your sleep and your oral health is better.

If you have an abnormal or misaligned bite, you might be wondering how braces work? Braces will improve your bite function. A bad bite (also called malocclusion) can lead to a lot of pressure on particular teeth, causing them to chip or break. It can also create tension and pain in the jaw and neck.

Well let’s straighten up

What image shows up when you think I’ve got to straighten my teeth? I’m sure the first thing that pops into your brain, is braces. And you probably shudder thinking of braces as awkward, uncomfortable, and tedious. Which is what it used to be.

Lucky for you, traditional braces have come a long way. In addition to amazing advancements in the dental field, you now have options when it comes to your braces treatment method. Today, we offer a number of treatments, which are both effective and less visible.

How do braces work?

Explained in the most basic of terms, braces straighten your teeth and help to re-align your bite. With great advancements in the dental field, these days straightening your teeth can happen in a myriad of ways such as traditional metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign® and more. Once you visit with our office, we can assess your unique situation and recommend a course of action specific to you.
Once secured, braces place constant light pressure on your teeth, the force of which helps guide them into their proper position. With each appointment your arch wires will be adjusted. To help even further with certain bite corrections some clients may need to wear rubber bands or supplementary appliances. Below we’ll talk about the different components of braces and explain how they are designed to create a beautiful smile.

Common components of braces

Brackets: These are small squares that we bond directly to the front of each tooth. Each bracket holds the arch wire (see definition below), which in turn moves the teeth. Brackets are available in stainless steel and tooth-colored ceramic or plastic, which some prefer because they blend in better with the teeth.

Arch wire: This is the wire that attaches to the brackets and guides the movement of the teeth. They are typically made of metal, guiding the teeth in the proper direction encouraging them to become straight.

Orthodontic bands: To provide an anchor for the bracket and arch wire, orthodontic bands wrap around specific teeth (typically molars). These bands are also cemented to teeth, ensuring a strong hold. Not every patient requires these as some only require brackets without bands.

Spacers: The name says it all. Spacers fit between your teeth and create space so the orthodontic bands can eventually fit between your teeth.

Ligatures: These are small rubber rings or bands that fasten the arch wire to the brackets. Depending on your preference, they can be clear or colored.

Elastics: Connecting the upper and lower teeth, these rubber bands attach to hooks on brackets. They are important when correcting someone’s bite as they apply perfect pressure to guide and move the teeth into their optimal position.

An investment in your smile and your health

Now you know the answer to the question, “how do braces work?”

Hopefully you feel more confident walking through the braces adventure and you can help yourself make an educated and informed decision. Braces are definitely an investment of both time and money.

But more important is the role they play in creating a lasting, healthy, beautiful smile. A smile that not only looks great, but is an important tool in your overall health.

Contact our professional team at Supreme Dental Doncaster (03) 9848 4989 for advice on the best long term strategy for your dental needs.