It’s safe to say that being a dentist is a very misunderstood job. People, and especially kids and teens, hate going to the dentist. But let’s stop demonizing these professionals as they have changed the way we smile. Thanks to the creation of braces, dentists have given us a new smile to look forward to.

When it comes to braces, two types exist. The two types are metal and clear braces, although the latter isn’t a recognized term. If you’re thinking about getting your braces, then stick around as this article will explain everything that you need to know.

With all that said, let’s start.

 Metal Braces – What Are They, Advantages

Throughout the industry, metal braces are still considered as the go-to option. In the past, these made things somewhat uncomfortable. Nowadays, that feeling has noticeably changed.

Metal braces are added through the use of glue and special dental cement. This mixture is then tied together using wires. The wire goes across the teeth and at the base of every tooth, there is a rubber band. The reason why they’re super popular is down to their effectiveness. They can align most of the teeth and do it less painfully.

But that doesn’t make them perfect. There is one noticeable downside to using them. And it’s pretty obvious that it has to do with the fact that they are very noticeable. This is precisely why kids dislike metal braces. They get especially noticeable when you smile, laugh, and even talk.

However, as we mentioned earlier, metal braces have improved a lot in the past decades. Nowadays, although they are still noticeable, they are a lot more comfortable. Teens have also grown onto them as you can now choose the bands in many colors.

Clear Braces – What Are They, Advantages

Before we continue, let us give you a little disclaimer. The term “clear braces” isn’t recognized in the dental industry. The term “clear” simply refers to ceramic or Invisalign aligners. Naturally, there are two types we should talk about. Let’s talk about each one.

Ceramic

The material is highly popular and braces made out of ceramic very much resemble their metal counterpart. The only difference between them is the plastic brackets and plastic wire. Newer ceramic braces can even come in a color that blends in with your natural tooth color. However, people have mixed feelings about it as it makes you look very unnatural.

The biggest advantage to using them is that they are significantly less noticeable than their metal counterpart. Another huge advantage is that they irritate you less often, which makes them prime for kids, teens, and adults that have a very sensitive mouth.

The biggest drawback to ceramic braces is the fact that they are very prone to chipping, cracking, or getting stained by foods and beverages. That’s why cleaning should be a top priority, otherwise, the plastic can get easily colored.

Teeth alignment isn’t a difficult task, but it takes a professional to do it. Fortunately, finding a reputable dentist isn’t a hard task at all. You can learn more about that here.

Invisalign

When it comes to seeking different solutions to align teeth, look no further than the Invisalign teeth straightening system.

Invisalign braces are easily removed. This is the biggest advantage to using them. But another advantage is that they are significantly less noticeable than both ceramic and metal. The way Invisalign works is by making plastic trays that align with your teeth. Each tooth has to fit nicely into each tray, so the tray can easily put the teeth back into position.

When it comes to the drawbacks of Invisalign, there are a few. For starters, they are not the final solution in many teeth-aligning cases. Also, they can be much more expensive than both metal and ceramic braces. However, if you’re still willing to go with Invisalign, then do know they are less noticeable than both metal and ceramic braces.

Why You Should Get Braces

Now that we’ve outlined the most important things regarding all options, let’s talk about why you need braces.

Eliminate Overbite

Overbite isn’t anything to worry about, but it is a reason to get braces. If the bottom teeth disappear whenever you “bite”, then that’s a sign of overbite.

Eliminate Underbite

An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. An underbite is when your top teeth overlap in front of your bottom teeth. It is easily recognizable when you smile and talk. Thus, you should see a dentist for it.

Eliminate Spacing

Spacing is far too common and it refers to the gaps between your teeth. If your teeth are irregularly spaced, then that can be a result of proportionally small teeth compared to the rest of your mouth. Spacing can also occur if you have missing teeth.

Eliminate Crowding

Crowding is one of the most common reasons why kids, teens, and even adults get braces. Crowding is when there isn’t enough room in your jawline for all of your teeth. Crowding usually occurs when there are more teeth than space for them. If you’re getting braces to eliminate crowding, then do know it can take longer for them to straighten all of the teeth in your mouth.

How To Choose the Right Braces For You?

The golden rule when choosing braces is to look at how much aligning work is needed. Since each person has different aligning needs, some will benefit more by taking metal braces while others by getting Invisalign.

To know exactly what works best for you, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dentist. There, your dentist will take a look at how much straightening your teeth need. Based on that, you can either go for a more affordable option or a more expensive one.

Another huge factor is the amount of wearing time. Some of you might have to wear it for a year while others are much shorter.

Regardless of these factors, your dentist knows your teeth and can recommend the best option that will fulfill your needs.