Having a confident, straight smile can significantly impact your overall appearance and self-esteem. If you or a loved one are considering orthodontic treatment, the team at Professional Dental in Utah is here to guide you through the process and help you achieve the beautiful, aligned smile you deserve.

Understanding the Purpose of Braces

Braces are an orthodontic treatment designed to correct a wide range of dental and facial irregularities, including:

• Misaligned bites: Braces can address issues like an open bite, crossbite, or deep bite, improving the overall function and appearance of your bite.
• Crooked or crowded teeth: When teeth are overlapping or out of alignment, braces can gently guide them into their proper positions.
• Overbite or underbite: Braces can help align the upper and lower jaws, ensuring a harmonious bite.
• Gaps between teeth: Braces can close unsightly spaces between teeth, creating a more uniform smile.

By addressing these orthodontic concerns, braces can not only enhance the aesthetics of your smile but also improve your overall oral health and function.

The Benefits of Straightening Your Teeth with Braces

Investing in orthodontic treatment with braces can provide numerous benefits that extend far beyond just the cosmetic aspects of your smile. Some of the key advantages include:

• Long-Lasting Results: When combined with proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, the results achieved with braces can last a lifetime, providing you with a beautiful, functional smile for years to come.
• Improved Oral Health: Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and premature wear.
• Enhanced Chewing and Digestion: When your teeth are properly aligned, you can chew your food more efficiently, which can improve digestion and overall nutritional intake.
• Reduced Risk of Injury: Properly positioned teeth are less likely to sustain damage from accidents or trauma, as they are better protected by the surrounding bone and soft tissues.
• Boosted Self-Confidence: A straight, aligned smile can have a profound impact on your self-esteem and social confidence, helping you feel more comfortable and at ease in personal and professional settings.
• Improved Speech and Articulation: Misaligned teeth can sometimes affect the way you speak, causing issues with pronunciation or lisping. Braces can help correct these speech-related problems.

What are the types of braces?

There are several different types of braces. The type that’s best for you depends on a few factors, including the kind of issue you have, the severity of your condition and your personal preferences.

Metal braces
When you think of braces, traditional metal braces might be what you imagine. Metal braces use stainless steel bands, brackets and wires to gently shift your teeth over time.

A dentist or orthodontist will bond (glue) a bracket on each tooth, then place a thin, flexible archwire over the brackets. Tiny elastic bands called ligatures keep the wire firmly in place.

Metal braces are visible when you smile. You can choose clear or tooth-colored ligatures to make your braces less noticeable. Or, if you’re feeling festive, you can choose brightly colored ligatures.

Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces — sometimes called clear braces — work the same way as metal braces. The key difference is that the brackets, wires and ligatures are tooth-colored, so they blend in with your smile. Ceramic braces are still visible, but they’re less noticeable. One drawback to ceramic braces is that they’re more fragile than metal braces, so they’re more likely to break.

Lingual braces
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces. But they go on the back surfaces of your teeth instead of the front. Most people who choose lingual braces do so because they don’t want other people to be able to tell they have braces.

Self-ligating braces
Self-ligating braces look similar to traditional metal braces. The main difference is that, instead of ligatures (tiny elastic bands), self-ligating braces use a built-in system to hold the archwire in place.

Clear aligners
Sometimes called “invisible braces,” clear aligners are a braces alternative. Instead of brackets and wires, clear aligners use a series of custom-made trays to straighten your teeth over time. Popular brands include Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®.

With these systems, you wear each set of aligner trays for approximately two weeks. Then, you swap those trays out for the next set in the series. Unlike metal braces, clear aligners are removable. But you have to wear them for at least 22 hours every day. You should only take your aligners out to eat, drink and brush your teeth.

The Treatment Process

The process of getting braces typically involves the following steps:

1. Consultation and Evaluation: Your dentist or orthodontist will examine your teeth, take X-rays, and create a personalized treatment plan.
2. Placement of Braces: Once the treatment plan is finalized, your braces or aligners will be carefully positioned and adjusted to begin the realignment process.
3. Regular Adjustments: Throughout your treatment, you’ll need to visit our office for regular adjustments to ensure your braces or aligners are working effectively.
4. Retention: After your teeth have been straightened, you’ll need to wear a retainer to maintain your new, beautiful smile.

Our team at Professional Dental will be with you every step of the way, providing comprehensive care and support to ensure your orthodontic treatment is as comfortable and successful as possible.

Start Your Journey to a Straighter Smile Today

If you’re ready to transform your smile and improve your oral health, contact Professional Dental in Utah today to schedule a consultation. Our experienced orthodontists and dental professionals are dedicated to helping you achieve the confident, aligned smile you’ve always wanted. Take the first step towards a lifetime of beautiful, healthy teeth!

You can read more about orthodontists and orthodontic treatment from the American Association of Orthodontists.