If you have misaligned teeth as an adult, you may be curious about the options available to you to get the straighter smile you deserve. In this article, a dentist will highlight the most popular types of orthodontics Navan that are available.
Types of braces and aligners
Aligners
Aligners are not a new idea; they have evolved from dental splints, which were not feasible due to the materials used. But the aligners you will encounter in dental surgeries today may include options such as Invisalign, Six Month Smiles and Damon Aligner.
As is the way with aligners, the type you will be offered will depend on the issue being treated and the skill of the dental team. Some dentists may be more eager to use an aligner such as Invisalign due to familiarity.
Aligners are generally considered the most visually discreet of all the options for straightening teeth and are typically removable, made from clear plastic, and easier to slot into your daily routine.
You may also be suitable for aligners if you are a teenager, but this will depend on the availability of the aligners at the local dental practice. Aligners are popular with many patients due to the faster treatment times of 3 to 6 months.
Clear braces
Clear braces are, in essence, just braces, except that the brackets used to affix the wire to the teeth are either clear or enamel-colored. The wire itself is usually thinner, and the treatment time is usually shorter than that of a traditional metal brace.
Clear braces have more versatility than aligners due to their ability to rotate and move teeth differently, so they are suitable for patients who have more complex dental requirements that are not too severe to require traditional metal braces.
They are also visually discreet and generally offer a treatment time of 6 to 9 months, depending on the clinical need of the patient.
Incognito or lingual braces
You may have heard of braces that can be fitted behind your teeth as opposed to the front. These devices are known as lingual braces, and while they are visually discreet, they can present a range of complicated issues for the patient and the practitioner.
Generally, lingual braces are not offered as the first line of treatment for misaligned teeth in dental practices, so you will need to search for the nearest practitioner who can offer them if you wish to undertake them.
The treatment time for lingual braces is similar to that of a traditional brace, as they can treat more complex cases of dental misalignment, including crowding, spacing, protrusions or even issues with molar teeth rotation.
Traditional braces
The standard metal brace has proven itself across dental care, and if you have a complicated dental requirement that cannot be solved with a clear brace aligner or incognito brace, then your dental team will probably fit you with a standard brace.
Standard braces have more versatility than aligners or clear braces and have an average treatment time of 3 years with adult patients, depending on the need of the patient.
