A patient will usually experience minor pain and discomfort when the braces are first attached and during each subsequent monthly adjustment. Braces use brackets bonded to the teeth and arch wire threaded through the brackets and attached with tiny rubber bands or thin wire to gradually align the teeth. About once a month, the orthodontist adjusts the arch wire to continue with the alignment process. Arch wire is designed to react to body heat and to bounce back to its original shape. It is threaded through the teeth while it is cold, but it begins reacting to the heat in the mouth and tries to bounce back as it gets warm. This puts constant pressure on the teeth and slowly moves the teeth in the desired direction. Orthodontic treatment consists of loosening the teeth, using pressure to move them to the desired position and allowing bone to grow and support the teeth in their new position.

The constant pressure caused by the wire results in pain and discomfort. Since the wire is adjusted and tightened about once a month, the patient can expect pain and discomfort for about the first 24 to 72 hours after each adjustment.

Eating a diet of soft foods such as pudding, ice cream, purees and soup helps to lessen the pain and discomfort caused by the pressure on the teeth. Sticky, sugary and acidic foods and drinks should be avoided while wearing braces. Cold or hot compresses can also help the irritation and surface swelling that might occur from the adjustment of the wires. Finally, if the pain does not get better even after following a soft food diet or with the compresses, over-the-counter pain relief medication can be used.

There are other types of pain and discomfort related to the treatment with braces. The inside of the cheeks can become irritated by wire poking past the brackets on the molars as the teeth begin to shift. Solutions include pushing the wire out of the way with a pencil eraser or cotton ball, using a sterilized nail clipper to cut the extra wire or visiting the orthodontist’s office to resolve the problem. Another source of discomfort is a mouth sore. Mouth sores are common at the beginning of the treatment as the skin around the braces gets used to rubbing against the brackets and wire. The discomfort can be alleviated by putting a piece of cotton over the sore. Usually, sores heal within a week.

When a patient asks herself do braces hurt, she can feel secure that the pain is temporary and that relief is easy to find.

Clear and metal braces work the same way to move teeth into the right position. Brackets are bonded to each tooth, and an arch wire, attached with small rubber bands to the brackets, runs through the teeth, causing pressure. This pressure slowly helps to move teeth into the right position. The wire is adjusted about once a month to guide the gradual movement of the teeth. Sometimes, elastic bands are also used to help with the movement of the teeth into the right position.

Though the treatment is similar, there are some fundamental differences between clear braces and metal braces. First, the material used to make the brackets is different. Metal brackets are made from stainless steel. Some brackets also use titanium as an additional material. Metal braces continue to be the most popular choice of braces. Clear braces are made from either polycrystalline or monocrystalline alumina. These materials are used because of their strength and the resulting color. One results in a clear finish, and the other results in a tooth-colored finish. They are also non-porous, so they are stain and odor-resistant.

Clear braces are more appealing aesthetically because they are either almost completely translucent, or they blend in with a tooth-color finish, but they do have some drawbacks. The material is harder than tooth enamel, and overexposure to it can actually harm the finish and cause abnormal deterioration. They also tend to be more expensive than metal braces, and the treatment usually last somewhat longer than with metal braces.

The average length of treatment for braces is about two and a half years since the process is slow and delicate. Teeth are moved gradually to protect them. Orthodontists usually adjust the wire that puts pressure to move the teeth about once every month. Because the material for clear brackets is more brittle than the one for metal braces, the orthodontist tends to use slightly less pressure when adjusting the wire. This lengthens the overall time for treatment, but goes a long way to prevent bracket failure and the need to either replace or reattach the bracket.

When considering clear braces vs metal braces, cost is a major factor. The cost of metal braces can run between $5,500 and $8,000. The price can be substantially higher or lower depending on the individual case as well as the location of the dental office. Clear braces are more expensive and can run at least $500 more than metal braces for the total treatment. A more economical option is to use clear brackets only on the top 6 teeth, which are more visible, and metal brackets on the rest of the teeth. This runs about $200 more than the cost of regular metal braces.

Clear ceramic braces work the same way as metal braces. Brackets are attached to the teeth, and a wire is fastened to each bracket with small elastic bands. The orthodontist adjusts the pressure of the wire at each visit, which causes the movement of the teeth. In some cases, rubber bands are also used as part of the treatment. The main difference between metal and clear braces is that with clear braces the brackets bonded to the teeth are see-through, making them a lot less visible. The wire used, however, can still show. Translucent cosmetic wire is sometimes used, rendering clear braces practically invisible.

The use of clear braces can affect the duration of the treatment. Since clear brackets can be slightly more delicate and brittle than metal brackets, the orthodontist might choose to use less force when adjusting the braces, extending the time it takes to move the teeth. This protects both the teeth and the brackets.

Clear braces are not an option for everyone, and even many patients who are candidates for them might only receive them on the top six teeth. This is partly because the material that clear brackets are made from can cause more deterioration than normal to the teeth. Clear brackets are made from either polycrystalline or monocrystalline alumina. Both materials are non-porous, and therefore they are very resistant to stains and odors. However, they are harder than tooth enamel, and that is why overexposure to the clear brackets can be harmful to the teeth.

Additionally, the limited use of these braces for some patients is based on how much clear braces cost. The cost of clear braces is higher than the cost of metal braces. One of the reasons for the higher cost is that that clear brackets are harder to work with. Another reason is because there is a higher probability of a clear bracket needing to be replaced or reattached during the life of the treatment. Yet another reason is the longer duration of treatment, necessitating additional visits to the dentist’s office. Using clear brackets in all the teeth can make the total cost unaffordable for some patients.

Look at Your Teeth Realistically

If you think your teeth are ugly, you may have considered getting braces to improve your overall appearance and smile. But often, many people immediately think they need braces if they have one crooked tooth or a slightly misaligned bite. Do you really want to spend up to $6,000 and four years correcting a single tooth? So, the first step to deciding whether or not you need braces is to get a realistic view on how crooked your teeth are. Understand, though, that most family and friends won’t give you a straight answer. Instead, seek out a dentist who sees teeth every day. When you go in for a cleaning, ask your dentist if they would put braces on your teeth. Then, go get a second opinion.

Do You Have Dental Problems?

If you’re having health problems due to misaligned teeth, getting braces might be the only way to permanently fix the problem. Headaches, gum infections, jaw pain, and even chronic tooth pain can all be due to crooked teeth. If you experience these problems regularly and never had braces, see a dentist to get a good look at what some of your orthodontia options are. Braces can fix some of these problems permanently, saving you a headache, literally, in the long run.

Consider Your Insurance

The sad fact of adult braces is that often, insurance companies won’t cover the cost. In fact, it’s common place for those getting adult braces to have to pay the whole cost out of pocket. So, is it really worth it? Most orthodontics offices will let you pay your fees in installments over time, but that still does not detract from the overall cost. Most often, people avoid adult braces if their problem is merely aesthetic. But if the problem is interfering with your health, many bite the bullet and get braces put on. Sometimes, you can get braces paid for if you have a legitimate, documented health issue associated with crooked teeth.

Adult Braces or Not?

The question of whether or not braces are a good investment is highly dependant on your individual situation. Understand that most insurance companies won’t cover braces later in life. Therefore, any adult orthodontia will come directly out of your pockets. If your condition is merely aesthetic, you might consider option out of this type of dental work. But if you have health problems, braces might be your only cure.

Rubber bands for braces are attached from one bracket to another, either vertically or diagonally, to add additional pressure to a particular area. When used from an upper bracket to a lower one or vice versa, the elastic bands can also work to fix an incorrect bite. Also known as inter-arch elastics, the bands not only help the teeth move into the correct position, they also help the teeth to work better in conjunction with the jaw. Because inter-arch elastics can cause enough pressure that can even result in unwanted movement of the teeth and jaw when the jaw bone is not growing vertically, they work best with younger patients whose bones are still growing.

Patients who use elastic bands to aid in the movement of their teeth cannot eat any solid foods while wearing the bands. They must remove the bands to eat and then put them on again after eating. This must be done correctly to avoid causing pressure in the wrong direction. Patients should also be careful when stretching their mouth open. If they stretch it too far they run the risk of breaking the band, which can be painful, or having it slip off.

The inter-arch elastics must be changed daily since they lose strength as they are worn. New daily bands ensure that the pressure remains constant. If a patient forgets to change them, he begins to affect the treatment, since teeth movement will be a lot slower and can even stop.

Following a good oral hygiene routine is important when using rubber bands for braces. Teeth should be brushed and cleaned before putting on a new set of elastics and after eating a meal, particularly if the same set of bands will be used again. In the case where rubber bands need to be cleaned, either between meals or if they need to be reused during an emergency, the patient should remember to clean them in saltwater for five minutes, rub away any accumulated particles, rinse them and then place them on the brackets again.

Another type of elastic band are the smaller elastic ligatures used to secure the wire to the brackets. They can be single elastic ligatures and connected elastic ligatures. They come in different colors and the single ones are usually the same size. The orthodontist changes these during each monthly adjustment since they lose strength over time.

Braces use brackets, arch wires, small elastic ligatures and thin wire ties to straighten teeth. Some patients also need inter arch elastics, or rubber bands that attach to the lower and upper brackets, to apply additional pressure. This pressure causes pain and discomfort, since the teeth are shifting, and bone is growing into the spaces around the teeth to provide support. When the braces are first installed, patients will usually feel pain and discomfort for the first few days. Patients can also expect to feel it after the monthly adjustments of the arch wires. The pain will manifest in soreness around the teeth, whenever patients chew or when their teeth come together.

Though the normal pain associated with braces will usually disappear after a few days, patients can use over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen to alleviate the pain. They can also apply hot and cold compresses to the area. Additionally, patients should eat a diet of soft foods and avoid very sugary or sticky foods when wearing braces. This should all help with pain management.

Pain from braces can also come from sores that develop when the braces are first installed. These sores are the result of the inside of the mouth and tongue rubbing against the rougher surface of the brackets. Because the delicate tissue inside the mouth is not used to these harsher surfaces, sores develops. These sores usually disappear after a week or so, as the patient gets used to the brackets inside his mouth. However, to help with this pain, patients can cover the sore with a ball of cotton or some wax until it heals. If the sores persist past a week, patients should see their orthodontist.

Other pain resulting from braces is the result of scratches from the arch wires and wire ties. Sometimes, the arch wire pokes out from the last two brackets bonded to the back molars. This extra wire scratches the inside of the cheek and irritates it. Similarly, when a wire tie becomes loose, it scratches the area around it, causing discomfort. Patients can cut the extra arch wire with sterilized nail clipper or push it out of the way with a pencil eraser or a small piece of wax. They can use the eraser and wax to move the wire ties until they are not longer scratching against the inside of the mouth. Patients can also visit their orthodontist to adjust the arch wire and ties if necessary. For patients with lingual braces, a bracket that becomes unglued from the tooth but remains attached to the arch wire can also produce pain and discomfort until the orthodontist can reattach it.

Many assume that their insurance company will cover at least a portion of the Lumineers procedure. This is wishful thinking unless a tooth has become damaged in a natural course of events and other procedures like dental bonding are not appropriate. Trying to obtain coverage is a waste of time and your efforts are best focused elsewhere. You shouldn’t think that you’ll have to fork over the costs outright either. A large number of offices which provide this procedure can help you apply for financing. The specific terms to the financing agreement can vary, however, they provide many patients with a flexible means to pay for their procedure. If you look at the investment from a long term viewpoint, you will realize that it is well worth it. Considering Lumineers can last for ten years or more with minimal maintenance, the investment isn’t as huge as some would lead you to believe.

The cost of these porcelain restorations can easily be overlooked thanks to the other benefits they provide. Lumineers can be outfitted on a patient fairly quickly, allowing them to enjoy their new smile immediately. The only snag usually occurs once the patient’s mold is sent to a lab for fabrication. Only a single lab operated by the manufacturer is authorized to fabricate these veneers, so delays are a possibility. The actual prep work involved can be completed within a single appointment and does not require anesthesia. In the overall scheme of things, this means less money towards the dental work and less anxiety/discomfort. The technique to install the veneers may vary depending on the existing condition of the patient’s teeth. If severe overcrowding exists, for instance, substantially more enamel removal may be warranted. Those that suffer from severe tooth discoloration will gain immense comfort in the fact that these restorations are stain-resistant. This means no more recurring appointments to the cosmetic dentist’s office for a whitening treatment.

As you might be able to see, Lumineers hold a number of benefits over the other treatments provided at cosmetic dentistry offices. Their low price is just one of the things that sets them apart from comparable procedures. If we’ve sparked your interest in this exciting procedure, we encourage you to find a local, experienced dentist and to setup a consultation appointment. Be sure to conduct adequate research before definitively selecting your dentist. Patience is a major factor with this procedure, so take your time.

The brackets used in this treatment are made from either polycrystalline or monocrystalline alumina. The former material yields a whitish, tooth-colored bracket while the latter provides a clear, translucent bracket. Both types of brackets are less noticeable than metal brackets, thus their aesthetic appeal. Both materials are used because of their strength and their physical attributes. They are also non-porous and can resist both odors and stains.

The treatment using ceramic or metal brackets is similar. The brackets are bonded to the teeth. Wire is then threaded through the teeth, attached to each bracket by either a thinner wire or a small rubber band. This wire is adjusted monthly to create pressure and guide the teeth into the desired position. Rubber bands can also be used to provide additional pressure in particular areas.

The material used in the brackets is more brittle and delicate than metal, so the orthodontist normally uses less pressure when adjusting the wire. This is to protect both the teeth and the actual brackets, and to try to prevent having to reattach or replace a bracket. The downside to this is that the overall length of the treatment is longer because the process is more delicate. The average time for treatment is about two and a half years, so the treatment using ceramics can be a few months longer.

The ceramic braces cost is also higher than the cost for traditional braces. The higher cost is a result of the longer length of treatment, the more delicate nature of the brackets, which makes them harder to work with, and the higher probability of bracket failure, warranting replacement or reattachment of a bracket during treatment. The cost can range from $6,000 to $8,500. This can be higher or lower depending on the location of the dental office and the complexity of the patient’s case. A more economical option is to use ceramic brackets only on the most visible teeth, the top six teeth, and metal brackets with the rest of the teeth. This option can save the patient some money, since it only increases the cost of metal braces by about $200.

Orthodontists do not recommend ceramic braces for all patients. The material that they are made from is harder than tooth enamel and can cause extra deterioration of the teeth when there is overexposure to the material. The material is also more expensive, which can make for a prohibitive cost for many patients if ceramic brackets are used in all the teeth. The patient and the orthodontist must discuss all the options to figure out if this is the right choice.

A diastema has many causes. It can be caused by teeth that are too small in proportion to the jaw bone, allowing space to be created. It can also be caused by missing teeth or severely undersized teeth that allow the adjacent teeth to spread out and leave open spaces between the other teeth. Usually, this is the cause of a gap between front teeth. Another cause is a labial frenum that is oversized. This little piece of tissue is normally located from just inside the upper lip to area above the two front teeth. When the tissue does not stop there and grows past into the area between the two front teeth, a space is created.

Patients who suck their thumbs can also have a diastema, since this habit often pulls the front teeth forward, creating a gap between them. People with tongue thrust, who push their tongue forward against their teeth when they swallow, can also end up with a gap. Even gum disease can cause spaces to open up between the teeth. Because gum disease loosens the teeth and causes supporting bone loss, patients suffering from this might find that space between the teeth opens up as a result of the movement of the teeth.

Children can also have spaces between the teeth. For most children, a diastema is a temporary condition that happens as they lose their milk teeth and wait for their permanent teeth to grow out into the right positions.

A gap between front teeth can be treated cosmetically or orthodontically. When the diastema is part of bigger set of dental issues of teeth misalignment, the patient can wear braces to correct all the issues. Even if the braces are used to focus on correcting the gap, the patient will most likely wear braces on both upper and lower teeth, since the alignment of all the teeth will change with the movement of some teeth.

Frenectomy, which is a surgery to remove excess labial frenum tissue, can be used if that is the cause of the space between the front teeth. When the culprit of the problem is gum disease, this must be treated first. Once dental health is achieved, other treatments, which can include braces, splints attaching one tooth to another and bridges, can be used to close the extra space.

Cosmetic treatment to close the gap includes dental veneers applied to the teeth, resulting in a more aesthetically appealing smile. Veneers can be porcelain or ceramic veneers, which involve removing part of the tooth enamel before bonding the veneer to the tooth. Patients can also choose commercial no-prep veneers that do not require the removal of the tooth’s enamel and are quickly bonded to the front surface of the teeth.

The average time for the duration of treatment with braces ranges from one year and a half to three years. Some patients, however, can complete treatment in a slightly shorter time span. Others can expect their treatment to last beyond the three years. This all depends on the complexity of their misaligned teeth and bite issues. A simple case with a minor overbite and no other issues can be corrected in a shorter time than a case that requires extractions, or pulling of the teeth to deal with crowded teeth, as well as extrusions, or pulling teeth further from the gums, or major rotations of teeth.

The reason orthodontic treatment with braces normally takes longer than a year and a half is because the process of moving teeth into correct position is a delicate one and cannot be rushed. Braces are composed of brackets, arch wires and elastic or metal ties. Brackets are bonded to the teeth, either on the outside of the teeth or on the tongue side of the teeth, then the arch wire is threaded through the brackets and attached to each bracket with a small elastic ligature or a thin wire. The arch wire is adjusted about once a month to control the pressure that moves the teeth into the aligned position. Additionally, some users also need rubber bands attached to the top and bottom brackets to apply more pressure in a certain direction. If used properly and daily, these rubber bands, called inter arch elastics, help lower the total duration of the treatment.

During treatment with braces, the teeth are moved slowly, then given time for the teeth to rest and for bone to grow into the space around the teeth to support them. The teeth are somewhat loose during treatment and excessive pressure or rushed pressure can harm them, even causing a patient to lose a tooth. When a patient wonders how long do braces stay on for, she needs to consider that the total duration is designed to provide the best results while protecting the teeth. Additionally, once the braces are removed, patients will need to continue treatment for at least a year or two with the use of retainers, which can be removable or fixed.

There is a treatment with braces, however, that has a short duration. Known as Six Month Smile, this treatment last about six months, but is designed to only cosmetically correct the teeth, not focusing on major bite issues at all. It is also used in conjunction with other cosmetic dentistry treatments, such as applying veneers. This option is not available to all patients, and focuses on cosmetic results rather than major proper alignment.