Up until recently, the only option for people needing orthodontic treatment was a mouthful of metal braces. It’s what many of us still picture when we consider braces. But today there are so many different kinds of Gold Coast orthodontics available, each designed to correct a bunch of different orthodontic issues.
From highly improved metal braces to the popular clear Invisalign aligners, there are plenty of options to suit your smile and your budget.
So, we thought we’d take a look at the most popular orthodontic options to help you decide on the best one to suit your lifestyle and your oral health.
Main Types of Orthodontics in Gold Coast – Removable and Attached
Firstly, you need to know that there are two main types of braces – those you can remove and those that are attached to your teeth.
While you may think that removable braces are the very best way to go, both types have their pros and cons. Also, your orthodontic issues will depend on which treatment will work best for you.
Different Braces for Different Problems
There are plenty of different types of braces. That’s because there are so many factors and scenarios that affect orthodontic teeth straightening. Not everyone’s situation is the same, so you can’t use the same treatment for every patient. That’s why there are different types of braces.
What’s more, every year Gold Coast orthodontics gets better and better, improving upon and creating new methods for straightening teeth. So, what kinds of braces are out there?
Let’s take a closer look.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces have two main components. These include the metal brackets applied to your teeth and the bendable wire that’s threaded through those brackets to apply pressure to the teeth and move them into position.
Metal braces are common amongst teenagers. They’re cost effective and one of the fastest ways to move teeth into a straighter position.
It used to be that the brackets and wires were noticeable. They were big and intrusive, too. Today’s metal braces are so much smaller and less noticeable. New technologies and innovations have created wires designed to move teeth faster and in a less painful way.
What’s more, teenagers like being able to choose the colour of their rubber bands around the bracket, giving them the chance to personalise their orthodontics.
Self-Ligating Braces
Very alike in looks to metal braces, self-ligating braces now come in both ceramic and clear brackets, which means they’re extremely discreet.
Self-ligating braces make use of clips instead of elastic bands to secure the wires in place. This means less friction and it’s easier to brush around the braces. Self-ligating braces make oral hygiene habits a little easier during your orthodontic treatment.
These braces are used to treat both simple and complex orthodontic problems. They’re able to achieve precise results by giving us complete control over how your teeth move.
Ceramic Braces
You might have heard of ceramic braces called aesthetic braces, tooth-coloured braces or even clear braces. They’ve even been called porcelain braces.
These orthodontics are the same shape and size as metal braces and they work the same way. The main difference is that they blend with the natural colour of your teeth, making them difficult to spot.
Ceramic braces are a popular choice for teenagers and adults who are self-conscious about their smile. The braces make use of tooth-coloured brackets and wires, contributing to the cosmetic experience. It’s worth mentioning that ceramic brackets are sometimes more brittle, which means they could potentially break easier.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are placed on the inside of the teeth, or the tongue side. That means they’re not noticeable, but they still work hard to straighten your teeth.
Lingual braces look and work exactly the same way as traditional braces in Gold Coast orthodontics. They also use wires and brackets to eventually move your teeth into the desired position.
The difference with lingual braces is that the brackets are custom-made to go onto the backs of your teeth. If you want a discreet treatment, this could be perfect for you!
Lingual braces are totally hidden from sight and they are perfect for treating a wide range of dental problems. While it takes the tongue a couple of days to get used to the braces, and they’re often a little pricier than other options, these braces are ideal for self-conscious adults and teens.
Invisalign Aligners
The Invisalign system makes use of completely customised aligners, or removable plastic trays, to gently move your teeth into position. There are no wires and no metal.
Rather than regularly having arch wires tightened the way you would with other Gold Coast orthodontics, Invisalign treatment requires new aligner trays every one to two weeks. Each tray is custom-made with precise calculations to gradually shift your teeth into a straight and beautiful smile.
The aligners are super-easy to maintain, too. You can remove them when you’re enjoying your meals and to brush and floss. Best of all, you don’t have to give up your favourite treats!
Good oral hygiene is simple to keep up, too, as there aren’t any wires or brackets to try and floss or brush around. But for the very best results, you need to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours every day.
Invisalign is also a popular option amongst adults and self-conscious teenagers. However, if you have serious orthodontic issues, Invisalign is not the answer.
Retainers
Retainers aren’t strictly braces, but they’re an important part of your orthodontic treatment.
Rather than moving your teeth into position, retainers hold them in their brand-new position when your braces are removed or your Invisalign treatment ends. That’s why we think they need to be mentioned here.
Just like braces, there are two main kinds of retainers. Fixed retainers are made up of thin stainless-steel wires that we permanently attach to the back of your front teeth. They’re designed to stop the teeth moving 24/7.
On the other hand, removable retainers are clear mouth guards that are designed to fit snugly behind the teeth and hold them in their new position.
It’s important to understand that if you don’t wear your retainers, you risk your teeth moving out of position and undoing all that hard work. The good news is that after a short period of wearing your retainers full time, you’ll only have to wear them at night.
Gold Coast orthodontics comes in different forms. The best treatment for you depends on your orthodontic problems and goals.
Talk to the team at Medland Orthodontics today to find out the Invisalign cost and how you can achieve a straighter, healthier smile!
