Everyone wants to feel good and make a lasting first impression, and braces are often a way to do that. However, a considerable investment both in terms of time and money is involved. As with any major decision, you’ll want to know the pros and cons of braces so you can figure out whether they are worth it.

Having years of experience with braces of all kinds, we’ve seen the pros and cons of braces upfront, with real-life patients. Here are a few things we have learned and now want you to know:

Pros: Reasons to Get Traditional Metal Braces

They work. With proper care and maintenance, they will straighten your teeth over time.

They are durable. Traditional braces don’t easily chip or crack. Although there are cases where the wire snaps or brackets fall off, these are relatively easy fixes.

They are slightly less hard on your pocket. Traditional metal braces typically are less expensive, since they have been out in the market longer.

Cons: Why You Might Avoid Metal Braces

There are many drawbacks, and many people feel that they outweigh the benefits:

They can hurt.  Putting on the braces or getting them tightened can be very painful since they are moving your teeth by applying pressure.

Brushing and flossing can be difficult. Maintaining metal braces is not easy at all. Flossing can be very difficult since you must thread the floss around the wire to get between your teeth.

They limit what you can eat. Since traditional metal braces are attached to your teeth, they are present all the time, meaning that you may need to cut down your favorite foods.

Alternatives to Metal Braces

While you are exploring metal braces, you should be aware that there are alternatives worth considering. Specifically, there are different types of braces, such as Invisalign, Ceramic braces, Lingual braces, each with their pros and cons.

You can read about braces on the internet forever. It’s time now to take that first step. We hope you’ll make it with us!

In this blog post, we will shed some light on what components make up your braces and how they move your teeth.

Components of Braces

Brackets

Brackets are the most visible part of your braces. They bond to the surface of each tooth to hold them in place throughout the orthodontic treatment.

Archwires

Your orthodontist will place these thin metal wires over each bracket. They are necessary for building up the pressure against your teeth that will move them in their appropriate positions.

O-Rings

These small elastic bands are responsible for holding the bracket on the archwire.

Now that you have a know-how of what braces are made of let’s discuss how they move your teeth!

Moving the teeth through bone remodeling

After the braces are in place, they will begin to put pressure on your teeth. The periodontal membrane (encases a bottom portion of the tooth) is stretched on one side and compressed on the other, which slightly loosens the tooth. Then a new bone grows in to support the tooth. This is the process of bone remodeling, and it’s where the magic happens!

The force behind the movement

Your brackets and archwires are responsible for providing your teeth with the necessary force and pressure for positive tooth movement. Therefore, the archwires are typically made of materials activated by body heat to increase the stiffness level.

The wire we use in the beginning is known as a twisted wire and when this wire is placed on your teeth, it is activated by the heat of your mouth. Once you advance into the treatment process, a more flexible one will replace the twisted wire. Your body heat activates this wire, too, causing it to become stiff. Once we place the brackets on your teeth and tie them together with the wires, the transmission of forces is on the go.

If you want to get really technical, meet one of our dental experts at Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry. To schedule, an appointment calls us at 281-937-7530.