Braces: Looking Good and Feeling Great

It's been proven that people are captivated by beautiful smiles, so it's understandable why you'd want to get dental braces for cosmetic reasons. But straight teeth don't just look better; they're healthier, too.

 

When teeth are properly aligned, they're easier to clean ... and when your teeth are clean and dental plaque-free, you're less likely to need a tooth filling or gum disease treatment. Wearing braces can also help prevent excessive wear of your teeth and help you chew better.

 

Today's braces have come a long way from the stereotypical "tin grins" of TV and movies. In addition to traditional metal braces for straightening teeth, there are now a variety of braces designed with your comfort and appearance in mind:

 

Clear Braces -- Porcelain dental braces feature tooth-colored brackets made from a glass-like composite material that appears translucent.

 

Gold Braces -- Gold braces are actually stainless steel braces overlaid in gold.

 

Lingual Braces -- Similar to traditional metal braces, lingual braces are placed behind the teeth so that they're virtually unnoticeable.

 

Mini Braces -- Mini braces are 30 percent smaller than their traditional metal counterparts but just as strong.

 

Removable Braces -- Removable braces are mouthguard-like devices made of clear plastic. Invisalign® dental aligners are the most common type of removable braces.

 

No matter which type of dental braces you choose, orthodontic treatment can bring about a major improvement in your appearance and your quality of life. In approximately 24 months — the typical active treatment time for traditional braces — most people are able to achieve the smile of their dreams.

 

Are dental braces right for you? Ask your dentist during your next dental checkup.