“Your teeth are crooked”, he said. You might have noticed your smile to be not so flattering. Someone might suggest having your teeth straightened by braces. But amid all the bombardment by different brands and do it yourself gimmicks, what braces really are.

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What are braces?

Braces are appliances that put pressure on your teeth to straighten them out. An orthodontist or a general dentist, sufficiently trained in orthodontics, put it on patients. They might come in different shapes and sizes, the different constructs of materials, and even different treatment philosophies. But the overall purpose remains the same. 

Types of braces

They come in mainly 3 types; the traditional metal brackets, traditional brackets made of ceramics to make them less noticeable, and invisible braces system or Invisalign. Invisalign comes in the form of clear plastic trays used mostly by adults who don’t want their treatment to be visible. It is a revolutionary system in terms of its convenience. The dentist planned the use of the Invisalign after a thorough examination.  However, it still lacks the versatile movement which metal brackets and their wire components can achieve.

Some other protocols supplement all these treatments, for example, extractions or other procedures to efficiently move the teeth and enhance the aesthetics

Braces are not DIY      

If we want to properly define braces, they are tools that apply forces to the tooth. Moreover, this treatment is based on specific biological and mathematical metrics. However, an orthodontist planned it meticulously after a thorough examination of your teeth and facial structures.

Ads might be misleading

Recently, you might have come across ads on social media where flashy do it yourself appliances in the form of trays that promises results in six months might seem the answer to your prayers, but it is nothing more than snake oil. In other words, a sharp knife in the hand of a child to be metaphorical.