A guide to different orthodontic tools used by your dentist

Looking to straighten your teeth as an adult but want to know a bit more about the available treatment options? 

In this article, a brief guide is provided about the different braces Stoke-on-Trent that are available to you, so read on to find out which one you may be the most suited to. Enjoy! 

Standard and orthodontic

What do they look like?

Most people know what the standard or orthodontic appliance looks like. 

They are usually made of metal and attached to the teeth with brackets. Visually, they cover most of the surface of the teeth and can have small, elastic bands attached to them to increase the pressure they apply to the teeth.

What do they do?

They are, by far, the most versatile of all the orthodontic tools and can be used to correct even the most severe orthodontic issues. Should you be fitted with this tool, you will need to get it tightened every 4-6 weeks.

When used with children, they can be worn for a minimum of 6 months but, with most adult and teenage patients, they can take up to 3 years to work. 

Lingual

What do they look like?

Visually, they look very similar to the standard orthodontic appliances, except that the brackets are made from gold. They are quite discreet since they are affixed to the back of the teeth as opposed to the front. 

What do they do?

This appliance works in a very similar way to standard options and can be used to correct more severe cases of spacing and misalignment. 

Much like the standard option, they will need to be tightened every 4-6 weeks, based on how severe your orthodontic need is. They can take up to 3 years to work.

Clear

What do they look like?

Envision a standard orthodontic tool, make the wires thinner and make the brackets either clear or enamel coloured, and you will have a basic idea of what the clear appliance looks like. 

This option does require tightening every 4-6 weeks, but based on its more discreet appearance, it is more sought after by adult patients who need more complex cases of orthodontic work. 

What do they do?

They can correct more severe cases of misalignment than invisible options but, as the wires are thinner, they are generally avoided by dentists in cases of complex issues. Due to this, they often have a shorter treatment time, usually lasting a maximum of 18 months. 

Invisible

What do they look like?

Technically, an invisible brace does not exist but the name has stuck concerning invisible aligners! Picture a sports mouthguard, make it smaller and make it out of clear plastic and you have an invisible appliance. 

What do they do?

They are used to treat mild to moderate cases of misalignment and, as a result, their treatment time ranges from around 3-6 months. 

They are removable and so, to benefit from them, you will need to wear them for up to and over 22 hours per day based on your dentist’s advice.