White Braces
Cambridge, OH
 Braces are a common treatment for correcting the alignment of crooked or awkwardly spaced teeth. They can also be used to correct alignment issues with your jaw. They have been around for decades and are very effective at what they do. However, despite their effectiveness, the metal brackets and wires that traditional braces use are very visible in your smile. This can cause many patients to avoid a treatment that could not only improve their smile but greatly improve their quality of life. At OHIOSmiles, we can provide you with a way to get the orthodontic treatment you need in a much more discreet way with white braces.
The Components of Braces
Braces consist of three basic components:| • |
Brackets. The brackets are the small pieces that are bonded to the fronts of each of your teeth at the beginning of your treatment, and they remain in place throughout the treatment duration.
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Bands. Bands attach to the very back teeth. They are there to anchor the wires in place.
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Wires. A wire spans across an entire arch of teeth. It is attached to each bracket with an elastic O-ring. |
There are also other pieces that may be used with braces, such as springs or rubber bands, to help you achieve the best results. The need for these additional components is based on your specific situation.
How Do Braces Work?
With braces, the wires do most of the work. They place pressure on your teeth, which then put pressure on the periodontal ligaments. These ligaments are the structures that help to hold your teeth securely in place. The pressure widens the ligaments, loosening your teeth. The wires then work to guide your teeth into the correct alignment and hold them there once they are in the proper positions. It generally takes about 3 months for new supporting tissue to grow around the teeth and about one year for your teeth to fully stabilize.
What Are White Braces?
White braces are an alternative to traditional metal braces. Rather than stainless steel brackets, white braces use ceramic. The brackets are either clear or tooth-colored, which enables them to blend in with your teeth, making them much less noticeable. The wires used to be metal, but there are also clear options now as well. A more discreet treatment provides a major benefit to anyone who has been avoiding orthodontic treatment due to aesthetic reasons.
Are There Any Disadvantages to White Braces?
White braces provide many of the same benefits as traditional braces, and they can do so in a way that most people do not even notice that they are there. However, even with the incredible benefits of white braces, there are some downsides to consider.| • |
While fairly durable, white braces are not as strong as metal.
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They tend to cost more.
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They cannot tolerate as much pressure as metal braces, meaning that treatment times may need to be extended to achieve the same results.
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The ceramic material is stain resistant, but the ligatures are not. They can become discolored and make your braces much more noticeable. |
If you want to correct the alignment of your teeth, but you do not want to wear shiny metal braces in your mouth, white braces provide an ideal solution. Call OHIOSmiles today at (740) 781-0540 to schedule your consultation and find out if you are a candidate. |
