Standard Braces - Getting Your Facts Right

If you have been dealing with teeth that are not aligned properly, it may be time to visit your orthodontist. With advancement in technology, there are various ways in which your teeth can be straightened. Modern day braces will allow you to have braces that match not only your personality but also your lifestyle. The most common braces which are widely known and used are standard braces.

The Design

Standard braces are made up of three main parts, the brackets, elastic bands and the arch wires. The brackets are made up of a small metal piece that is fixed onto each tooth. The brackets make up the part of the braces that are most visible. There is an opening on each bracket and the arch wire runs through these openings.

The arch wire is what controls how your teeth will move, and the tiny elastic bands keep the wire connected to the brackets. You can choose the color of elastic bands that you prefer, and there is a wide choice of colors available to choose from. You may also have springs between the brackets on the arch wires which help to close, open, push or pull the spaces between the teeth.

How They Work

It is not easy to move your teeth from one point to the other as they are joined to the jaw bone and will naturally resist any pressure applied on them. A constant force that is concentrated is therefore necessary in order to shift the teeth to a new position. Your teeth may need to move from one side to the other, and sometimes they may need to be tilted or even turned. The opening or slot on each bracket is what will determine how the tooth will rotate. This means that each bracket fixed on a tooth is uniquely designed to tip and rotate the tooth in the right direction.

The arch wires are manufactured from materials which tend to retain their original shape. This means that when the dentist twists the wire, it works to regain its original shape. As it regains its shape, it applies consistent pressure to your teeth. At the initial stages of the treatment, a light wire is used, which can easily be twisted. This creates a gentle force on the teeth that helps to align each tooth and result in the correct overall bite. As you continue with the treatment, the wire used will be stronger and thicker.

Length Of Treatment

Your teeth are able to move to a new position due to the bone getting remodeled. Some of your bone tissue gets dissolved while at the same time, new bone tissue is created. In order for these processes to take place at the right pace, the correct amount of constant force needs to be applied on each tooth. The arch wires apply force to the root of each tooth - this force is what causes the bone to be remodeled.

It takes time for these processes to take place, and that is why your treatment may take anywhere between six months and two years. The length of your treatment will also depend on the complexity of your problem and how much your teeth need to move.


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Please visit http://cstorthodontics.com.au/types-of-braces/standard-braces/ to learn more about how you can get treatment using standard braces.