Metal Braces
Traditional metal dental braces are typically used in cases with extreme overcrowding because they move your teeth in small increments at a time and give your dentist or orthodontist more control.
Metal Braces in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
There are all kinds of braces that help correct problems with your teeth, like crowding, crooked teeth, or misalignment. Metal braces include brackets attached to the front of your teeth or bands that fit around each tooth with flexible wires or archwires that hold the bands together.
Some braces include rubber bands or metal ties linking the brackets to the wire. These bands create more pressure to help straighten and align your teeth.
Sometimes, clear brackets and tooth-colored wires can help hide the hardware. Our doctors will help you explore the options and discuss if braces fit your treatment scenario.
While orthodontics can solve many tooth alignment problems, successful treatment relies on good patient compliance. Wearing elastic bands consistently, keeping follow-up appointments for adjustments, and practicing outstanding home care can all help lead to a positive outcome. This commitment involves frequent preventive visits with your hygienist. The Highlands Ranch Smiles team specializes in helping our orthodontic patients through this process so they can enjoy a gorgeous, healthy smile.
Orthodontics with braces involves teeth straightening and jaw alignment, combining beauty and function. Identifying potential problems as a child may allow for easier treatment, but it’s never too late to discuss ways to enhance a smile.
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How do I take care of my braces?
Taking care of your braces is crucial for ensuring a successful treatment and maintaining good oral hygiene. Here are key tips on how to take care of your braces:
- Brush Regularly: Brush your teeth after every meal and snack, using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Braces can trap food particles and plaque, so it’s important to brush around all parts of the braces and every surface of your teeth.
- Floss Daily: Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to clean between your teeth and under the wires of your braces. This helps remove plaque and food particles that a toothbrush might miss.
- Rinse with Mouthwash: Consider using a fluoride mouthwash to help reduce plaque and prevent tooth decay.
- Avoid Certain Foods: Sticky, hard, and chewy foods can damage your braces. Avoid items like caramel, gum, hard candies, popcorn, and nuts. Also, be cautious with hard fruits and vegetables; cut them into small pieces before eating.
- Protect Your Braces: If you play sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your braces and mouth from injury.
- Schedule Regular Checkups: Keep up with your dental appointments and orthodontic adjustments. These visits are essential for monitoring your progress and addressing any issues promptly.
- Be Mindful of Habits: Avoid biting your nails, chewing on pens, or any habits that could put unnecessary pressure on your braces.
- Follow Instructions: Use any additional orthodontic appliances (like rubber bands) as your dentist directs. These are crucial in moving your teeth and jaws into the correct position.
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What issues can braces fix?
Braces are a powerful orthodontic treatment used to correct a variety of dental and oral issues, including:
- Crooked Teeth: Braces straighten teeth by gradually moving them into the desired position.
- Overbite: When the upper front teeth stick out over the lower teeth.
- Underbite: When the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth are too far back.
- Crossbite: When some upper teeth close inside the lower teeth rather than on the outside.
- Open Bite: When there’s a noticeable gap between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
- Misplaced Midline: When the center of your upper front teeth doesn’t align with the center of your lower front teeth.
- Spacing: Gaps and spaces between teeth can be closed up.
- Crowding: When there are too many teeth for the dental ridge to accommodate.
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What are the different types of braces?
- Metal/traditional braces: Traditional braces are made of metal. They include brackets that are attached to the front of your teeth or bands that fit around each tooth, as well as flexible wires or archwires that hold the brackets or bands together. Some braces also include rubber bands or metal ties that link the brackets to the wire. These bands create more pressure to help straighten and align your teeth. Sometimes, your orthodontist will have you wear a device called headgear at night. It provides added pressure to help straighten your teeth. You can put it on and take it off.
- Ceramic braces: The brackets in traditional braces are now also made in tooth-colored ceramic, so you don’t notice them as much. They can also be made with stainless steel, clear materials, or gold.
- Clear aligners: You might also hear them called invisible braces. These are clear plastic trays that fit snugly onto your teeth. They use pressure to gently move your teeth into the correct positions and straighten your smile. You remove the aligners to eat, brush, or floss, but you should keep them for at least 22 hours each day for them to work. The orthodontist may also place tooth-colored attachments onto your teeth to hold the aligners in place.
More Questions?
If you have any questions about metal braces or for a consultation—contact us today.