What dental problems are corrected with braces?
Braces are specially designed to straighten teeth and improve your bite, correcting dental issues such as:
- Crooked, twisted, or rotated teeth
- Spaces between teeth
- Incorrect jaw alignment
- Misalignment
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Crossbite
- Open bite
While many people focus on how braces improve their appearance, there’s more at stake than cosmetic changes. When your teeth aren’t properly aligned, you’re at risk for developing health problems such as:
- Inability to properly chew food, which affects digestion and nutrition
- Uneven pressure when biting down, leading to broken teeth
- Difficulty speaking
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Increased risk for cavities and gum disease due to hard-to-clean teeth
What different types of braces are there?
All types of braces work by continuously applying pressure, which gradually shifts teeth into the desired alignment. Most braces have brackets that are bonded to each tooth and connected with a wire. At regular intervals, Dr. Condie adjusts the wires, increasing the pressure needed to move the teeth and improve your sunny smile.
Depending on your specific needs, Dr. Condie may recommend a specific type of braces, including:
- Metal braces, in several shapes and colors
- Ceramic braces
- Clear bracket braces
- Concealed braces
- Clearcorrect/Invisalign
- 6 Month Smiles
Are dental braces uncomfortable?
While braces straighten your teeth and allow you to smile it up, they can cause some slight discomfort. That’s why it’s important to follow Dr. Condie’s recommendation and take over-the-counter pain medication and, if necessary, apply ice to your face. This is especially important after your braces are put on, when you begin wearing your Invisalign retainer, or when your braces are adjusted.
Any discomfort caused by your braces can be easily alleviated this way and as your new smile begins to take shape, the discomfort lessens. By the time your braces are removed, the pain disappears, allowing you to smile your heart out.
Dr. Condie also provides a special wax that can be used over the wires and brackets on fixed braces. This prevents the braces from causing discomfort on the insides of your cheeks and keeps you comfortable. Just remember, even if you experience some discomfort while you’re wearing braces, you’ll have a beautiful new smile to show for it afterwards.
