SPOTLIGHT:
What makes a beautiful smile? Some would say two rows of really straight teeth, but for more than 4 million people in the United States, that’s only possible through the use of orthodontics and dental braces.
BENEFITS OF BRACES
While braces are most commonly used to straighten teeth that have grown in crooked or to realign the jaw, they are also used to correct an overbite or an underbite. When the teeth or jaws aren’t aligned, you may have a hard time biting and chewing your food, which causes the teeth to wear out very quickly.
Braces can also help alleviate overcrowding, which occurs when the teeth are spaced too closely together. This makes them harder to brush and floss and puts you at a higher risk for gum disease and tooth decay.
Not to mention the fact that braces can help improve your smile and confidence, as it can be embarrassing to show your teeth when they’re misaligned and crooked.
When Should Children Get Braces?
Most orthodontists recommend that children are typically fitted for braces after they’ve lost all of their baby teeth and their 12-year molars have erupted, and the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children receive their first orthodontic screening by seven years old. However, if braces are fitted too early, treatment may take longer than necessary and require additional expenses.
Orthodontics For Adults
When you think about braces, you probably think about childhood, which is a misconception. About 1 million Americans and Canadians over the age of 18 wear braces, and it’s never too late to receive the same benefit of an improved smile and oral health from orthodontics. But there are some specific concerns, namely that since adults are no longer growing, treatment may take longer than it does for teens due to the bones already being fully developed. The average adult wears braces for three to four years, whereas teens wear them an average of only two years.
Adults are also more likely than children to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. They might also have missing teeth that can cause other teeth to shift and tilt, creating a bad bite. However, these issues can be easily addressed and resolved at Gole Dental Group.
Metal
This is probably what you think of when the word “braces” is mentioned, but traditional braces have progressed since the early days. A metal bracket is applied to the teeth with a type of cement and a bendable metal wire is then threaded through the brackets in order to apply pressure to the teeth and move them.
Pros: Metal braces are the least expensive and the most effective. Thanks to new technology, wires can move teeth faster and with less pain than in years past. In addition, the patient can express themselves through the use of colored bands.
Cons: These are the most noticeable type of braces, and the patient is limited from eating many hard and sticky foods due to the risk of breaking a bracket or wire.
Ceramic
Ceramic braces work in the same ways that metal braces work, but instead of metal, the braces are made of transparent ceramic. Brackets adhere to your teeth the same way metal brackets are secured, but with transparent wires.
Pros: They are less noticeable than metal braces and are equally effective. Clear ceramic braces can move teeth faster than other clear orthodontic appliances, such as Invisalign.
Cons: Ceramic braces are more costly than metal and have a tendency to stain more easily.
Lingual
Rather than placing the braces in front, lingual braces are placed behind the teeth. They use the same metal brackets and wires used in traditional braces.
Pros: They are virtually invisible from the outside and great for people who don’t want their braces showing.
Cons: Because they’re custom made, they cost more and treatment tends to be more involved with longer adjustments. Lingual braces are also harder to keep clean and the most uncomfortable.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a treatment that consists of clear removable aligners used to gradually straighten your teeth over a period of time. They’re typically replaced every two weeks.
Pros: They basically invisible, and since they’re removable, you can eat and drink anything. Invisalign is also comfortable.
Cons: This is more expensive and only available for teens and adults. You have to brush your teeth after every meal and aligners have to be removed before every meal.
The Cost of Braces
While the average cost for braces is $5,000 to $6,000, it can range from $3,000 to as much as $10,000 depending on whether or not you have dental insurance and what kind of braces you selected.
On average, you can expect to pay:
- Metal: $3,000 to $7,000
- Ceramic: $4,000 to $8,000
- Lingual: $8,000 to $10,000
- Invisalign: $4,000 to $7,500
Learn More
If you are ready to learn more about Gole Dental Group’s options when it comes to braces and expanders for yourself or a loved one, contact us today to set up an appointment.
At this initial consultation, we can learn more about your dental health, goals, and identify the option that’s just right for you.
