They say nothing beats a great smile. Isn’t it why people smile when taking pictures or even introducing themselves?
A smile can affect self-confidence in social settings and also in the workplace. To better appearance, individuals with dental issues adopt the use of braces.
Among Kenyans who have been fitted with braces before include Stephen Otieno, alias Stivo Simple Boy. Modern braces can achieve spectacular results, and it is not a wonder people would like to know how they work. However, only a qualified orthodontist should perform the dental procedure.
Healthline states braces exert constant pressure on teeth and jaws to alter their position. Even though the devices are common among teenagers, more adults are getting braces made of metal or ceramic, wires, and bonding material.
Problems Solved by Braces
Braces solve problems such as:
Overcrowding
Overcrowding occurs when the relationship between the jaw is too small, and the teeth are too large. Braces can move individual teeth or sets of teeth back or forward to reduce overcrowding.
Overbite
An overbite is the vertical overlap of the top and lower teeth. This can be corrected by moving the upper front teeth up, the lower front teeth down, or an amalgam of both.
Move Teeth Forward
While it is known that braces can push teeth backward, few know that they can also push them forward toward the lips.
Types of Braces
According to Ruby Smiles Dental Clinic, there are different types of braces:
Traditional metal-wired braces – These are made of stainless steel or a combination with titanium.
Self-ligating braces – They use clips rather than elastic bands to hold the brace's wire.
Lingual braces are custom-made braces bonded to the back of the teeth, making them externally invisible.
Invisalign is unique because it doesn’t involve brackets and wires but instead utilises a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners worn over the teeth.
Disadvantages of wearing braces include discomfort, irritation, difficulty eating and pain in the jaw.
