How Do Braces Straighten Teeth?

In today’s world, everyone wants to have a perfectly straight smile. Why wouldn’t they? Straight teeth are both beautiful and healthy! If you’re considering starting the journey to straight teeth, you probably want to know how exactly braces work.

How They Work

Your teeth are able to be moved if there is light pressure applied to them consistently, so that is essentially what braces do, but in a very precise way. If you elect to get braces, you will have brackets attached to your teeth with glue. (Don’t worry, these come off when you’re done with treatment!) The brackets have slots where orthodontic wires are attached to them and held in place with elastic ties, or ligatures. The wires on your braces put pressure on your teeth to move them into the desired alignment. This gradual pressure will get your teeth into their exact positions in a safe and healthy way.

Despite the fact that the braces technology has been around for a long time, it is nowhere near an outdated mode of treatment. The technology behind braces has advanced and there are many things that make the process easier and more comfortable.

What They Fix

Braces are spectacular in that they can fix just about all of the alignment issues in your mouth, including crowding or a misaligned bite. Spacing issues are often why people’s teeth are crooked and is one of the most common reasons people need braces. Additionally, braces are great at fixing overbites, underbites, and crossbites.

Custom Wires

Because each patient has a differently shaped mouth, the wiring needs to be custom made for each and every person. Additionally, the kind of wires that you’ll have attached to your teeth will change throughout your treatment. The wiring will get less flexible the further into your treatment you get. This helps to set your teeth in their final resting positions.

How Long Does It Take?

If you get braces, it will take a couple of days for the actual tooth readjustment to start. During this time, there is a pretty good chance you will feel some slight soreness. This is nothing to worry about; it just means the braces are doing what they’re meant to do – move your teeth!

Typically, treatment for misalignments can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months, but complications could add to this timeframe. After you finish your treatment, you will have to wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. This will keep them secure and allow for the roots of your teeth to set in place for the future.

During Treatment

Throughout your treatment with braces, you should make it a priority to maintain proper dental hygiene. Keeping your teeth and the braces on them thoroughly cleaned is the best way to ensure your oral health stays at its best!

If you’re considering getting braces, you should talk to your orthodontist about your options. Braces have been around for years and with good reason! Just check out some of the absolutely stunning ‘after’ pictures from some of our awesome patients in our smile gallery !