Oral health is as important as the health of any part of the body, such as the intestines, the brain, or the bones. When oral health is not prioritized, it can lead to various complications and some severe consequences. Due to the increased demand for different dental needs, there are many technological advancements that emerged.
For one, ortho appliances have gained immense popularity for many purposes, including fixing misaligned teeth and restoring one’s beautiful smile. There are many types of these appliances, and here are the most commonly used today.
Metal Braces
One of the most traditional ortho appliances but still used regularly today are metal braces. Most individuals prefer this type of tool for teeth straightening because it is more accessible and less expensive. Further, it works well in fixing misaligned and crooked teeth. The only disadvantage is that it is permanent and you cannot remove it even when you eat or brush your teeth.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners (or popularly known as Invisalign) are one of the top tools used in orthodontics today. It is way better than metal or traditional braces, but is more expensive. The good thing about clear aligners is that you can remove them when you brush your teeth or while eating, making it more comfortable. You can eat whatever you like and you will not worry about the brackets falling off when you bite on something hard.
3D Printing
Another orthodontic tool that is gaining popularity today is 3D printing, which creates impressions of the oral cavity. This new technology helps create an impression of the patient’s teeth and model it for faster installation of crowns or bridges. It is easier to do and faster, improving the quality of the dental service.
Six Month Smiles
Six-month smiles are a type of orthodontic treatment using clear adult braces. The difference from other braces is, it focuses on realigning the teeth that show when the patient smiles, and not the other teeth that are hidden. Further, the braces are intended to improve the aesthetic appearance of the smile, and not correcting the patient’s bite. This procedure is popular among adults whose teeth do not have problems, just the crooked appearance in the front.
Retainers
After treatment with braces, whether the traditional ones or clear aligners, the dentist will recommend the use of retainers. The retainers come in two forms — permanent and removable. The use depends on the needs of the patient. They work to hold the teeth in the new and correct positions after being fixed by traditional braces, which will say for another year to make sure the teeth will not go back to their previous positions.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that promises to give brighter and more beautiful smiles. It helps correct many dental problems, such as overbite, underbite, crooked teeth, and misaligned teeth, among others. There are many dental and orthodontic tools and appliances used today and they all work together to provide the best services in dental clinics.
