Traditional Braces Information

• Who are Traditional Braces for?

Traditional braces are suitable for adults and children. Success Smiles Orthodontics recommends using them specifically on children because they are constantly growing and moving. Traditional metal braces can be adjusted to accommodate for growth and keep teeth straightening on track. Adults like traditional braces because they provide a fast and efficient adjustment, but might prefer clear aligners for aesthetic reasons.

• Longevity of Traditional Braces

Traditional metal braces are made with longevity in mind. Not only do metal braces have to be strong enough to move the teeth in your mouth, but they also have to withstand all the food you chew. Metal braces are actually made of several metal components that work together to heal tooth problems and give you an exceptional smile. The metal brackets are usually a mix of several different metals to provide the best outcomes. Steel, gold, titanium, and nickel are most common. Chromium is often added to prevent any corrosion of stainless steel and molybdenum is also added to prevent any type of pitting or crevice corrosion. The brackets are flat on one side so they can effectively cement onto the teeth and include a slot for the metal archwire to pass through. While the metal brackets and archwires are the driving force behind traditional metal braces, orthodontic ligatures are also vital. Orthodontic ligatures are used to attach the archwires to the brackets and without them, the archwires would not be capable of forcing the teeth into the correct position. The orthodontist at Success Smiles Orthodontics can choose to attach brackets to select problem teeth or to the entire row of teeth.

• The advantages of traditional metal braces include correctional control to move your teeth in small increments and like other orthodontic treatments, they apply a force to help move and straighten the teeth. They will not get misplaced or lost because they are not moving unless the doctor needs them to, and they are more affordable than other orthodontic treatment for braces. There are not many disadvantages to using traditional metal braces, however, some might include the “metal mouth” appearance and the fact that they will restrict certain foods and snacks like chewing gum and popcorn.

Things to Keep In Mind

If you and your orthodontist at Success Smiles Orthodontics decide that traditional metal braces are the right choice for you, there are some things to keep in mind. Avoiding chewy, crunchy or hard foods that can damage your braces is important in the care of your teeth as well as your braces. Brushing and flossing are always crucial to the care of your mouth. It may take some practice to learn how to brush and floss around your braces but it will pay off in the end.