A lot of people in Irving want to have a straight, healthy smile as this boosts their confidence and improves their oral health. If you are considering orthodontic options, ensure you understand the kinds of braces available, their benefits, and the process involved. This will help you make an informed decision. An Irving orthodontist can walk you through the process, so you can understand what to expect from it.

Dental braces are meant to correct teeth alignment problems such as crowding, underbites, spacing, crossbites, and overbites. If your teeth are misaligned, you can have a problem chewing, keeping optimal oral health, and speaking. Without good oral hygiene, you can be at risk of dental cavities and gum disease. Dental braces can realign your teeth and jaws, which improves your look and overall dental health. 

Kinds of Braces

When it comes to dental braces, below are different kinds you can choose from:

• Metal braces. Traditional braces are commonly used for straightening teeth. They are composed of metal brackets glued to your teeth and connected with wires. Although they are noticeable, this kind of brace has become sleeker and is quite effective in correcting complex dental issues. 
• Ceramic braces. These braces function like metal braces; however, they use tooth-colored or clear brackets that tend to blend in with the teeth. They are usually chosen by adults and teenagers who want a less visible option. But compared with metal braces, ceramic braces are more fragile. 
• Lingual braces. These metal braces are placed on your teeth’s backside, making them unnoticeable from the front. The results are the same as conventional braces; however, more adjustments are necessary because of their proximity to the tongue. 
• Invisalign. These are clear aligners known for their flexibility and invisibility. Invisalign does not use brackets and wires; instead, it uses a series of clear aligners to shift teeth into the desired position over time. These are comfortable braces that can be removed when you eat or brush your teeth. 
• Self-lighting braces. These dental braces resemble ceramic or conventional metal braces. However, they use a specialized clip to hold the wire securely in place. Such a design helps minimize friction and may make the treatment time shorter than other treatments. 

Dental Brace Benefits

Correcting teeth misaligned is not only an investment in appearance but also in your oral health. Below are the benefits of dental braces:

• Better chewing and speaking. By fixing misaligned teeth, you can chew food properly and speak clearly. 
• Improved oral hygiene. Once straightened, your teeth can be easily cleaned, minimizing your risk of cavities, plaque, and gum disease. 
• Improved confidence. A straight smile can boost your confidence and self-esteem, which positively affects your professional and social life. 
• Minimized risk of dental issues. Teeth misalignment can result in jaw strain, resulting in problems like TMJ disorders. Dental braces can prevent such complications by correcting misalignment and aligning jaw positions. 

What Does the Procedure Involve?

Getting a straight smile using dental braces starts with an initial consultation with an orthodontist. Below are the steps involved in the process:

• Initial consultation. When you visit an orthodontist, they will evaluate your oral health and teeth alignment. Then, they will take X-rays of your mouth and discuss your treatments. Such consultation can help your orthodontist determine the kind of dental braces that suit your lifestyle and needs.
• Preparation and filling.  After you choose the kind of dental braces to wear, your orthodontist will clean your teeth and apply adhesive to them to attach your brackets. This is a painless procedure that takes around an hour or two, depending on the kind of braces.
• Brace adjustments and monitoring. Regular adjustments are necessary to either tighten the wires or replace your aligners. Such adjustments make sure your teeth are shifting in the right direction. 
• Final removal and retention. Once the desired alignment is achieved, your orthodontist will remove your braces.