When people talk about traditional dental braces, what do they mean?
Traditional dental braces are metal devices that are used to straighten teeth. They can correct various malocclusions, such as overbites, under bites, open bites, crooked teeth and cross bites. They are often used along with orthodontic appliances that widen the jaw or palate at the same time the teeth are being straightened. Often used on teens and children, braces also work on adults; however, it sometimes takes a longer time to achieve teeth alignment.
What do traditional dental braces consist of?
The main components of traditional dental braces are the brackets, which are pieces of metal that attach to the teeth and the archwire, which is attached along the line to each bracket. The shape of the bracket determines the pressure on the tooth.
Traditional dental braces are made from stainless steel but can also use nickel, and titanium, depending on the brace. They require ties that connect the archwire to the teeth or you can have braces that are self-tying, meaning they attach to the brackets themselves. Self-ligating ties are considered superior to ties that need to be tied because the friction between the slot of the bracket and the wire is reduced.
How do dental braces work?
Traditional dental braces utilize force which is applied by the archwire—the wire that extends from one side of the mouth to the other and generates a force against the periodontal ligament and teeth in certain directions. To a degree, the periodontal blood supply is altered, leading to remodeling of bone.
While invisible braces have their place, traditional dental braces have the ability to fix more complicated orthodontic problems than their newer counterparts. Depending on the severity of the problem, traditional dental braces may be the only solution.
Bone is remodeled by having an excess of osteoblasts that make bone on one side of the bony tissue and an excess of osteoclasts, which resorb (get rid of) bone on the other side of the bony tissue. The pressure on the bone causes this gradient and the bony structure is changed. There are actually two types of bone resorption.
- There is direct resorption, which begins with the lining of the alveolar bone.
- There is also indirect resorption, also known as retrograde resorption. This is where the osteoclasts begin with the bone marrow side of the bone. Bone also has to be built up in the area where the pressed-on tooth is being distracted. If new bone formation doesn’t occur, the tooth will become too loose.
Duration of treatment
Teeth move only about a millimeter per month during the period of orthodontic braces treatment, but everyone is different. The time to correct malocclusion can vary widely depending on the person and on the type of change being made to the tooth.
The time to wear braces varies widely. For minor changes that fix themselves quickly, as little as six months of wearing dental braces may be enough. For larger changes in people whose teeth don’t move rapidly, it could feasibly take up to five years. A good average is about 2 years. If you choose fancy braces made of different colors, it can extend the length of time you’re wearing braces.
The beginning alignment of your teeth is what determines how long it takes to get them in perfect alignment. Younger people will not take as long to get their teeth in good alignment and it can take in adults.
How much do traditional dental braces cost?
The cost of braces is around $5000 to $7000, depending on how long it takes and if you need anything special. Some dental insurance plans will partially cover for orthodontic services and some will not.