Do your crooked or misaligned teeth make you feel less confident in social situations because they interfere with your smile? Many people wish they would have the correct teeth alignment and perfect smiles, but that’s not the case. In fact, research shows that about 90% of children have different types of malocclusion or teeth alignment problems. About 10 – 15% of these children have severe issues requiring the intervention of early orthodontics. With advanced and innovative dental care practices, you no longer need to do an intensive search for how to straighten teeth.
An orthodontist can give you an array of teeth alignment types for adults and children. There are different ways to straighten teeth and fix an irregular bite or straighten teeth. Better yet, these teeth straightening procedures are less invasive and have a short recovery window. So, if you are looking for different types of braces for children or the best option between Damon braces vs. traditional braces, you’ll find the right answers here.
What is Teeth Alignment?
When you visit an orthodontist, and they talk about the alignment of teeth, they are referring to your bite. Teeth alignment involves positioning your teeth such that the lower and upper teeth come together. The correct teeth alignment should have the upper jaw slightly over the lower jaw.
Tooth alignment is preventive dentistry that helps you avoid issues like underbites and overbites. Improper teeth alignment can also lead to pain and discomfort while eating or uneven wearing to your teeth. You may also suffer from difficulty in breathing due to misaligned teeth. Even if you only have minor teeth alignment issues, you may have some difficulties later in life if you don’t go for early orthodontics.
Who Needs Teeth Alignment?
If you are constantly searching for how to straighten your teeth, orthodontic alignment can fix your crowded or crooked teeth. Additionally, if you have improper teeth alignment that negatively impact your life, alignment of teeth can help. Also, if your teeth affect the way you speak or have difficulties biting or chewing, some braces options can align teeth.
You may be a good candidate for different teeth alignment if you have:
- Visibly crooked teeth
- Teeth don’t close over each other
- Difficulty in chewing
- Jaw clicking and pain
- Difficulty brushing or flossing around the crooked teeth
- Frequently cut or bite your tongue on your teeth
- Stressed or fatigued jawline after chewing food
What is Teeth Straightening?
Teeth straightening involves gently moving and rotating crooked teeth to the correct position. Dentists use teeth straightening methods to improve your dental health by correcting cross bites, deep bites, teeth gaps, open bites, and other flaws of the jaw and teeth.
What are the Different Types of Braces?
If you are searching for how to straighten teeth, several options can solve your orthodontic issues. Although this is a personal decision, always consult a dentist on the most suitable tooth alignment types. An orthodontist can also assist you in choosing Damon braces vs. traditional braces, depending on how you want to align teeth. Also, different braces options have unique advantages and disadvantages that you should consider.
Here are the different types of braces for kids and adults that can get back your misaligned teeth in the right position.
Metal or Traditional Braces
While comparing Damon braces vs. traditional braces, you will likely want to go for the modern types of braces. However, you cannot rule out the traditional braces for teeth that have been around for about 100 years now. These braces options are still one of the most effective orthodontic treatments available. And with the advances in dental technology, these braces are no longer bulky and noticeable. Today’s metal braces for teeth are smaller, more comfortable, faster, and more effective. In fact, they are the most popular braces for kids and adolescent patients.
Metal braces work by attaching to the teeth and connecting the metal brackets with a wire. These braces gradually apply pressure to your teeth, moving them to the desired position. Your dentist will keep adjusting the wires within 4-8 weeks to ensure you have correct teeth alignment. Thanks to innovation, dentists are now using heat-activated archwires. This new invention utilizes your body heat to quickly move the teeth to the correct position and with less discomfort. Some parents prefer these metal braces for kids because children don’t need to keep removing them.
Pros
- Less reliant on a patient’s compliance
- Versatile and efficient
- Affordable
- No speech changes
- Durable
- No waiting time
- Customizable
Cons
- Difficulties when flossing or brushing
- Requires great care and attention
- Are noticeable aesthetically
- Maybe uncomfortable
Lingual Braces
If you are a young adult trying to assess between Damon braces vs. traditional braces, lingual braces can be a good option. These are the most discreet braces that align teeth. Lingual braces are different types of metal braces and have wires and brackets placed on the back of the teeth and not the front. These braces are nearly invisible from the outside. Therefore, if you think ceramic braces aren’t discreet enough, go for lingual braces.
However, these braces options may be uncomfortable because they directly contact your tongue. Also, they may take a longer time to achieve correct teeth alignment, unlike traditional braces. You also find it a bit difficult to clean lingual braces.
Pros
- Complete invisibility
- Better efficiency
- More versatile
- Customizable
- Suitable for complex orthodontic needs
Cons
- Difficult to clean
- Irritates the tongue and gums
- More expensive than traditional braces
Ceramic or Clear Braces
If you wonder how to straighten teeth without interfering with your aesthetics, ceramic or invisible braces are a good option. These braces are similar to traditional ones but use tooth-colored brackets or clear material for the alignment of teeth. Even the wires used to make ceramic braces have an off-white shade making them a more discreet option. Therefore, if you don’t prefer lingual or Invisalign but still want teeth alignment types that are affordable and discreet, you can use ceramic braces.
These types of braces are effective in moving misaligned teeth into their desired positions, just like traditional braces. However, these clear braces are slightly larger than traditional braces. As a result, you’ll need to take good care of them to prevent stains.
Pros
- More comfortable
- Less visible than traditional braces
- Can shift teeth faster than Invisalign
Cons
- Stains quickly depending on your diet
- More expensive than traditional braces
Invisalign Braces
While searching for an effective method for the alignment of teeth, you’ve likely seen the Invisalign braces. These types of braces have risen in popularity in recent times as people see them as a great way to maintain facial aesthetics and still align teeth. Invisalign is made of plastic that is removable, clear, transparent, and comfortably fits around your teeth. You’ll also need fewer appointments, and it’s easier to floss and brush.
Invisaligns are also suitable braces options for people who had tooth alignment braces at a younger age and need some touch-ups. However, these are not ideal braces for kids and only work for patients with mild to moderate malocclusion. These can include dental issues like large overbite, open bite, or improper teeth alignment. You can wear these braces for teeth for about two weeks, then discard them and get new ones. Keep repeat this cycle until you achieve the correct alignment of teeth.
Pros
- Much more discreet option
- Comfortable
- Low maintenance
Con
- More expensive than other types of braces
- Limited eating time
Self-Ligating Braces
These braces are available in ceramic and metal materials and have the same appearance as metal braces. However, self-ligating braces utilize clips and not elastic bands to hold the wire and shift your teeth to the correct position. Using clips eliminates friction, making it easier to keep your teeth and braces clean.
Additionally, self-ligating braces have the same level of efficacy as traditional metal braces. They may have added control over the appliance, which leads to more precise teeth alignment. These braces are also easy to adjust, making them good for patients sensitive to discomfort.
Pros
- Shorter time treatment
- Increased comfort
- Fewer appointments
Cons
- Visible from the outside
- More expensive than traditional metal braces
If you were looking for the different types of metal braces to fix improper teeth alignment, these are suitable options. And no matter the braces for teeth you opt for, don’t forget to maintain high oral hygiene standards. Note that braces with brackets and wires make your teeth more vulnerable to trapping food debris and plaque. Parents who go for braces for kids for teeth alignment should be more careful because this can cause tooth decay and staining.
The Importance of Tooth Alignment
Here are reasons why you should opt for the different teeth alignment types.
- Better Oral Health: Overcrowded or crooked teeth create hard-to-reach pockets that encourage plaque buildup. Straightened teeth are easier to floss, brush, and maintain clean and healthy gums.
- Improved Digestion: When you have correctly aligned teeth, you can fully chew food leading to improved digestion. On the other hand, crooked teeth cause uncomfortable and inefficient chewing.
- Clear Speech: You may produce a lisp or whistling noise if you have excessive underbite or overbite, or a large diastema. Tooth alignment eliminates these problems and helps you to have a clear speech.
- Improved Appearance: When you have proper teeth alignment, you want everyone to see your smile because you feel good about your appearance.
- Lower Risk of Dental Injury: People with protruding teeth are more likely to get cracked or chipped, especially on the upper front jaw. Different types of metal braces can align teeth to reduce the possibility of sustaining trauma.
How Much Does Teeth Alignment Cost?
While researching how to straighten teeth, the costs involved are a major factor for many individuals with misaligned teeth. Whichever option you choose between Damon braces vs. traditional braces, the average cost is between $3000 and $10,000.
In Texas, teeth straightening costs can vary due to the wide range of demographics. If you are looking for different types of braces for children or even adults, you can still get an affordable option. Sugar Land pediatric orthodontics can offer dental services at $3500 to $6000. The exact price also depends on the severity of your dental condition, types of braces, and other factors.
See also: How much do braces cost in Texas
Is Teeth Alignment Necessary?
There are several reasons why tooth straightening is essential. Boosting your self-confidence is one of the most significant reasons teeth alignment is necessary. In the current society, teeth alignment can boost your confidence. This is vital in making first impressions and raises your attraction levels to those around you.
Apart from aesthetic reasons, orthodontic alignment decreases excessive wear and tear on your teeth. This treatment is also part of preventive dentistry as it prevents injuries and health issues caused by improper teeth alignment.
At What Age Should I Visit an Orthodontics for Teeth Alignment?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, parents should evaluate kids at the age of around seven to see if they need braces for kids. At this age, kids’ teeth are conducive to straightening and alignment. Early intervention by Sugar Land pediatric orthodontics will prevent possible misalignment issues that can worsen later.
Note that teeth can still straighten out before the age of 10 on their own. And by the time kids reach ten years, they have lost their baby teeth, and permanent teeth have started growing in. Therefore, the ideal time to wear braces for teeth is between 9 – 14 years. But you can still get different teeth alignment types even as an adult seeking orthodontic treatment. That’s why there are different types of metal braces to fit both kids and adults. A visit to an orthodontist will determine the different types of metal braces for teeth alignment.
How About SmileDirectClub?
Unfortunately, we don’t recommend SmileDirectClub as an effective method to straighten teeth. Even if you have minor dental issues, always visit your orthodontics. SmileDirectClub isn’t sold through an orthodontist or dentist but directly to customers. This increases the chances of errors because you are on your own. For residents in Houston, you can consult the dental experts at Elara Orthodontics to determine the best teeth alignment types you can use.
Takeaway
Proper teeth alignment is key to bringing out a beautiful smile that boosts your self-confidence. Unfortunately, many people aren’t born with a perfect smile. If you have misaligned or crooked teeth, several teeth alignment types can keep them in the right position.
Are you looking for how to straighten teeth? Elara Orthodontics in Richmond Texas is here to help. Our dental professionals have different types of braces for kids and adults that can straighten teeth regardless of your dental issue. We offer specialty care thanks to the extensive training that our dentists have undergone in tooth movement and facial development. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment to help straighten teeth and get that hearty smile you’ve always wanted.