Braces correct orthodontic-related problems, including rotated, gapped, crowded, or crooked teeth and malocclusion (problems with how teeth fit together). They improve a person's smile, appearance, function, and health. Many teens and children wear braces, although adult braces are also prevalent. In many cases, orthodontists place dental braces, although general dentists can place them too.

Almost everyone is conversant with braces, particularly the traditional metal ones. But do you know how they exactly work to correct the above problems? If you are considering treatment with dental braces, you want to understand what options are at your disposal and how they work to strengthen teeth.

How Braces Work In General

Many forms of dental braces are currently on the market, including metal braces, clear aligners such as Invisalign, and ceramic braces. Your orthodontist or dentist can assist you in choosing the option that is ideal for you. The ideal type for you is essentially based on various factors, like your type of problem, the seriousness of your issue, and your specific preferences.

Wearing braces to correct teeth misalignment is the most prevalent orthodontic treatment option that individuals go for. But do these work?

Braces work by exerting slight, direct, and constant pressure on the teeth to shift them into their appropriate positions over time and finally correcting the alignment issues. This pressure originates from the archwires exerting pressure on the braces’ brackets. The precise way this occurs is based on the kind of dental braces you opt to use.

Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces may come to mind when considering dental braces. These utilize stainless steel wires, brackets, and bands to gently move your teeth with time. An orthodontist or dentist will glue (bond) a bracket to every tooth and then place a flexible and thin archwire over those brackets. Small elastic bands, known as ligatures, hold the archwire solidly in position. To shift the teeth effectively, the orthodontist adjusts the archwire at your dental appointments every four to eight weeks.

Metal braces can be seen whenever you smile. You could opt for tooth-colored or clear ligatures to make the braces less conspicuous. Alternatively, you could opt for ligatures with a bright color if you are feeling festive.

Even though they are still conspicuous, metal braces are not what they used to be in the past decades. Before, they were very noticeable and bulky. Fortunately, advances in technology and innovation have made the braces faster, smaller, more effective, and more comfortable.

Unlike removable braces such as Invisalign, some patients prefer traditional metal braces since they do not remember to put them on. However, these braces require attention and care. Proper oral hygiene is also mandatory throughout your treatment.

Some benefits of metal braces are that they are versatile and efficient, no speech change is experienced, and appointments are required every four to eight weeks. These braces are also the most affordable and are less dependent on the patient's compliance than Invisalign.

Metal braces also have some disadvantages, which include:

  • It is challenging to floss and brush.
  • They are more aesthetically noticeable, and
  • They are not ideal for people with poor dental hygiene.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, also called invisible braces, are an alternative to braces. They are a series of orthodontic appliances that assist in aligning teeth. Unlike traditional braces, invisible braces are transparent, hence the name. Also, rather than wires and brackets, clear aligners utilize a series of customized trays to straighten teeth over time. Popular clear aligner brands include ClearCorrect and Invisalign.

With clear aligners, you put on one set of aligner trays for about fourteen days and then swap the trays out for the next set in the series. Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners are removable. However, you must put them on for at least twenty-two hours daily. You should remove your aligners only if you want to drink, eat, or brush your teeth.

If you are wondering whether clear aligners are effective, the answer is yes. Like normal dental braces, these appliances can correct all the prevalent tooth misalignments like open bite, overbite, crowding, etc. But how precisely do they straighten teeth?

After all, clear aligners are greatly different from traditional metal braces but accomplish nearly the same results. Most people think the appliances are effective only by snapping them onto the teeth, which will then shift magically. But that is not true.

How Clear Aligners Help Strengthen Teeth

Clear aligners exert gentle pressure on the teeth, gradually moving them to the correct position. The aligners are made to make slight movements; thus, switching aligners tends to be more gentle and comfortable.

Sometimes, patients proceed with attachments, which act like handles for the invisible braces. Aligner attachments refer to transparent bumps bonded to teeth and left there for the entire treatment period. Their shape and place will be based on the required movement. They assist in applying pressure from the clear braces onto the teeth, shifting them into their appropriate position.

Clear aligners continue to increase in popularity, and that is because they:

  • Are removable.
  • Are transparent and clear.
  • Allow easier flossing and brushing.
  • Are faster than other braces for various limited treatments.
  • Sometimes, they need shorter appointments.
  • Necessitate fewer appointments in certain cases.

Clear aligners are ideal for patients who wore braces while younger and only require a makeover and for patients with mild to moderate dental issues such as large overbite, misaligned teeth, zero jaw alignment issues, and open bite. However, these braces have more restrictions than others regarding addressing comprehensive treatments or difficult problems.

For more intricate issues, lingual braces or a combination of lingual braces and Invisalign can provide a unique, esthetic solution.

Which Appliances Work Faster?

If you are considering clear aligners or braces for teeth straightening, you might wonder which option is faster. Often, a patient must wear traditional metal braces for one to three years. On the other hand,  the treatment period with aligners generally ranges from nine to 18 months-- you will be required to wear each set of aligners for approximately fourteen days before shifting to the next set.

So, generally, metal braces work faster than clear aligners as they provide more force to shift teeth more quickly. However, the period required for every treatment varies based on the patient’s specific needs. Eventually, your orthodontist or dentist will provide a better estimate of the time it will take after they have assessed your smile.

Other Types of Braces and their Mechanisms

Apart from metal braces and clear aligners, there are other braces, and it is worth understanding how they work. These are:

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are the same as traditional metal braces. However, they are placed on the teeth’s back surfaces rather than the front. Many people opt for lingual dental braces because they do not want others to know they have worn them.

Like traditional metal braces, lingual braces can fix most alignment problems by applying pressure to the teeth. The primary difference between lingual braces and the usual braces is that they are concealed inside teeth; no one can see them.

Lingual dental braces are the least common and most specialized orthodontic options available today. That is because they necessitate a varying set of skills that only a few orthodontists have learned. These braces are usually not taught in orthodontic training. It is up to an orthodontist to learn to place them.

These braces should be recommended to all qualified patients, as they provide benefits that other braces do not. These include 100% invisibility, 100% customization to a patient's specific teeth, and better versatility and efficiency for specific patients.

Lingual dental braces are ideal for grown-ups with intricate orthodontic needs who do not prefer conspicuous braces. The popularity of these braces has also increased among esthetically conscious teens.

While lingual braces have several benefits, they also have disadvantages. Since they are placed behind teeth, some patients will experience tongue irritation and slight speech changes, with lisps being common. These symptoms often manifest briefly after the orthodontist places the braces and disappear after several weeks once the mouth is accustomed to the braces.

Ceramic Braces

At times, known as clear braces, ceramic ligatures work similarly to metal braces, although they are less visible and more discreet. The primary difference between the two is that the ligatures, wires, and brackets of ceramic braces are tooth-colored or clear; thus, they will blend in with your smile. Ceramic dental braces can still be seen when you smile, but they are less conspicuous. One disadvantage of ceramic dental braces is that they are more fragile than metal ones. That means they are highly likely to break.

As the name suggests, these braces are ceramic-made. They can still treat the tooth misalignments that metal braces can fix by exerting consistent pressure on the teeth. However, these braces are less durable since the ceramic material is less long-lasting than metal.

These braces are widely used among people who think lingual or clear aligners are not ideal for them but still want to correct their dental problems discretely and affordably. These people are usually esthetically driven adults and adolescents.

Ceramic braces are less conspicuous and more affordable than traditional metal braces. However, the braces are slightly bigger than conventional metal braces. They can also stain based on brushing and diet habits. Not everyone is a candidate, but they are a valuable orthodontic treatment option.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating dental braces resemble and work the same way as traditional metal and ceramic braces. These braces come in ceramic, clear, or metal materials. They, too, depend on wire and brackets to shift teeth, just like ceramic and metal braces. The primary difference between these and ceramic or metal braces is that rather than ligatures (small elastic rubber bands), self-ligating dental braces utilize a built-in system of clips or doors to secure the archwire in position.

Self-ligating dental braces lead to slightly shorter appointment periods because they are easily adjusted. Therefore, they are an ideal option for:

  • Patients who cannot remain still in the dental chair for a longer period.
  • Patients who are more sensitive to discomfort.
  • Patients experiencing developmental delays that need orthodontic attention.

Most braces work similarly, but you select the type depending on your preferences and tooth condition. However, it is always ideal to consult with a dental professional before deciding on your treatment plan to ensure you select the most ideal option for specific conditions.

Braces Do Not Hurt

You will likely experience discomfort for some days after brace placement. Some patients may experience tenderness after regular tightening. However, in general, braces should not hurt. To relieve discomfort after treatment, you could use Tylenol. You want to avoid using ibuprofen and other NSAIDs as they block prostaglandins—substances that assist with healing. Consequently, NSAIDs can interfere with the process of tooth movement.

Caring for Braces for Effective Results

Proper dental hygiene is more crucial when you have braces on. Tartar and plaque can accumulate around your wires and brackets, resulting in gingivitis and cavities.

Your orthodontist or dentist will instruct you on how to care for your braces for effective results. A few of them include:

  • Brush at least twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Floss between teeth and around the braces daily.
  • For clear aligners, clean them daily and keep them well when not putting them on.
  • Avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods. Eat soft foods for a few days, including mashed potatoes and yogurt.
  • Rinse with antibacterial, alcohol-free twice daily.
  • Visit your dental professional routinely for maintenance and tightening.
  • Schedule routine dental appointments for cleanings and regular dental care.

Also, note that you must wear a teeth retainer when finished with treatment with braces. A retainer will prevent your teeth from moving back to their old positions. Many kinds of retainers exist. Your orthodontist or dentist will assist you in choosing one that is ideal for you.

Find an Experienced Orthodontist Near Me

All braces and clear aligners are effective orthodontic treatment options that can assist in straightening teeth and improving general oral health. Every treatment has disadvantages and drawbacks, and the ideal choice for you will be based on your needs and preferences. Our expert orthodontists at Northridge Advanced Dentistry can assist you in choosing the ideal treatment options and developing a personalized treatment plan to achieve a beautiful and healthy smile. Call us at 818-701-3010 for a consultation.