It can be overwhelming to consider all the different braces that are available for yourself or your child. At M. Scott Runnels Orthodontics of Destin, FL, we would be happy to walk you through the different options in person to help you make an informed decision. For now, we’re going to cover some information about traditional metal braces.
How Long Do People Usually Wear Metal Braces?
12 to 24 Months
Metal braces are strong and built to do their job as well and quickly as possible. There are some factors that can affect how long treatment takes, such as how involved your dental corrections are, and we can give you a clearer estimate after we evaluate your smile.
If you only need minor corrections, you may be able to finish your treatment in a year, give or take a few months. Other patients may need about two years to get the results they’re looking for. In either case, picking a reliable treatment and staying on top of your dental appointments will help you stay on track.
How Do Metal Braces Work?
The Process
During your consultation, we’ll talk about your goals and what to expect from our various treatments. If we decide traditional braces are the way to go, we’ll set up a good time to get your braces all set. First, a safe and secure dental glue will be used to attach the braces to your teeth. The archwires, which will be responsible for guiding your teeth throughout treatment, can then be securely set in place.
Either elastics or self-ligating technology can be used to make sure the archwires do their job correctly. Once you finish treatment, we’ll be able to remove your braces and provide you with a retainer to prevent your teeth from “resetting” back to their original state. We’d be happy to give you a more detailed breakdown of your timeline during your appointment.
Your Retainer
A retainer is an important way to protect all that hard work you went through wearing braces. For about three to six months, most patients will benefit from wearing their retainers 24/7. Once we’re confident that your teeth are adjusting well to their new and improved position, we can help you transition to wearing them less frequently, such as during the night.
What Can I Expect From Metal Braces?
Durability and Strength
To carry out effective corrections, these braces have to be made of strong materials. From the brackets to the wires, traditional braces are built to handle a wide range of needs and lifestyles.
For patients who have active jobs or hobbies, this can be a helpful perk. Traditional braces are resistant to damage, which helps reduce the likelihood of you dealing with a cracked bracket or broken wire. This can decrease anxiety about damaging your braces, although we still encourage you to wear mouth protection during sports!
An Affordable Choice
If you want quality results on a budget, traditional braces could be a good option for you. Traditional braces tend to be one of the most affordable options. You won’t have to compromise on quality, but you may be able to enjoy some savings.
Designed Well
When you hear the term “traditional braces,” you may think they’re outdated. The truth is these braces are still heavily used and trusted. They provide consistent, quality results and have been the go-to option for decades. Not only do they have a great track record, but their design has only gotten better with time.
Impressive Range
Coming in for your consultation is ultimately the best way to know if your condition can be improved with traditional braces. That said, these versatile braces can handle a lot of malocclusions and dental concerns, which can include the following:
- Crossbites
- Crowded teeth
- Misalignment
- Overbites
- Protruding teeth
- Tooth gaps
- Underbites
Good for All Ages
Traditional braces can work very well for patients regardless of their age. Due to their affordability and durability, they are often the go-to option for kids. Parents usually want strong braces for their kids, especially if their kids are involved in sports.
Since many kids have peers with braces, they also tend to be less bothered by the appearance of traditional braces. Some kids find it fun to customize their braces with different colored elastics as well.
Can’t Be Misplaced
Removable aligners are a way to correct your smile without braces and can be a wonderful treatment. However, some patients don’t want to worry about accidentally misplacing their aligners and dealing with a setback as they wait for their replacement. If you live in a household with curious kids or pets or simply want the comfort of knowing that there’s no way you can misplace your braces or they can be ruined, traditional braces may be a good call.
This can also be true if you’re looking into treatments for your young child. Teenagers may be able to benefit from clear aligners, but young kids might have more trouble remembering to wear their aligners as often as they should or where to put them when they get taken out. Braces might help you avoid unnecessary stress in these cases.
Improve Your Confidence
Wanting to improve your confidence is a perfectly acceptable and very common reason to seek out dental treatments. Being unhappy with their smile can make a patient feel like they have to hide their teeth while laughing or in pictures. We would be proud to help you smile with confidence.
Protect Your Health
Having correctly aligned teeth can offer a lot of health benefits. First off, straightened teeth are often much easier to clean since there are fewer overlapping areas to trap food and bacteria. It can make professional cleanings more effective and faster as well. In addition, crowns and fillings are both easier to carry out with well-aligned teeth.
Misaligned teeth are harder to take good care of, which could set you up for more issues down the road. Gum disease, tooth decay, and eventual tooth loss can all be more likely when the patient has misaligned teeth.
Increase Your Comfort
Misaligned teeth can affect comfort in several ways. If you have protruding teeth, you could be at higher risk for a mouth injury, especially if you play sports. Misaligned teeth can also throw the balance of your jaw out of whack. When teeth aren’t correctly positioned, it can cause issues like overbites, underbites, crossbites, or other similar problems that can put a strain on your jaw muscles.
Misalignment could increase your risk of TMJ, neck pain, headaches, and trouble sleeping. Since misaligned teeth rarely improve on their own, treating the issue as soon as possible can help you prevent things from getting worse over time.
What Are My Other Options?
While traditional braces have a lot of benefits, we do offer several alternatives to fit the unique needs of each patient. This can help us make sure we have a good option for as many patients as possible since we want everyone to feel confident about their treatment. Every option has different benefits, so we’d be glad to give you advice in person based on your needs.
Ceramic Braces
The brackets of our ceramic braces are clear and stain resistant, which helps camouflage the braces against your smile. Adults and teenagers often find ceramic braces appealing due to their modern and discreet appearance.
Lingual Braces
The ultimate way to hide your braces is to have them attached to the back of your teeth rather than the front. Lingual braces let you smile with confidence as they work hard, completely hidden from view. It can be challenging to find an office that offers lingual braces, which is one reason we’re proud to offer this option to our patients.
Invisalign
If you’re looking to take braces completely out of the equation, Invisalign can be a helpful tool. Invisalign is a type of clear aligner, so you can take them on and off to eat and brush your teeth. They come in a series, with each new set getting you closer to your dental goals. Adults who don’t want braces or patients who want more minor cosmetic improvements may find Invisalign especially appealing.
Ready for Your Consultation?
We’d be happy to use our combined expertise and experience to answer your questions and get you the care you need. You can visit one of our several locations in Santa Rosa Beach, Inlet Beach, or Destin, FL. Contact us at M. Scott Runnels Orthodontics today to get one step closer to a customized treatment plan!
