Are clear braces actually “clear”?

 

In the past, orthodontic treatments involving teeth realignment were typically performed using traditional dental braces with wires and brackets in order to straighten crooked, misaligned or crowded teeth. Although effective, traditional dental braces can be unsightly, especially for image-conscious teenagers.

However, advancements in dental technology have given rise to clear braces that provide all of the function of traditional dental braces, but without much of the adverse effect that normal dental braces might have on a person’s image.

Clear braces aren’t actually completely clear and so are not invisible in the wearer’s mouth. Instead, clear braces are fabricated from ceramic materials and alloys that appear to be clear; while traditional metallic braces are instantly noticeable, casual observers will likely fail to notice a person is wearing clear braces at all without closer inspection.

Clear braces work in the same fashion as traditional braces; they are fitted by an orthodontist as a means to exert pressure on specific teeth in order to slowly pull them into position and correct issues such as overbites, underbites, or to correct spaces between teeth to improve alignment.

In addition to their clear appearance, clear braces are also lighter and less bulky in the mouth.

For a completely clear solution to realign teeth, consider Invisalign as an alternative to clear braces. Although many people believe the two to be one-and-the-same, they are in fact two distinctly different treatments. While clear braces follow the same bracket and wire model of traditional braces, Invisalign involves the use of transparent trays that a patient wears for a period of time over their teeth.

Invisalign treatment involves a wearer using a series of clear mouth-guards that have been created to shift teeth in pre-determined small increments over a period of time. Each mouth-guard is worn for around two weeks, before it is discarded and the next one in the sequence is worn, again for a period of around two weeks. The treatment continues on a similar cycle until the desired result is achieved.

And so, for any image conscious teenager – or adult – who is seeking a method of improving their smile through the orthodontic realignment of teeth, there are methods available to allow them to do so, from clear braces to Invisalign.

Contact Newman Orthodontics, serving Long Island, to schedule your orthodontic evaluation today.

Will Braces Correct TMJ Disorder?

TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a severely debilitating condition that affects a person’s jaw joints; TMJ is normally characterized by the sufferer experiencing pain the muscles of the face, head, jaws and neck. Many people believe that TMJ is a condition they have to put up with, but orthodontics can help relieve the symptoms of TMJ.

TMJ occurs when the joint which connects the mandible (lower jaw) with the temporal bone in the skull becomes misaligned, and there are many causes and factors which can lead to TMJ, from misaligned bite, to bruxism, and skull trauma.

In addition to the symptoms given above, TMJ can also be characterized by the clicking, or popping of jaw joints; by jaws locking or sticking in open or closed positions; or by changes in a person’s biting alignment. In fact, there are many symptoms of TMJ, and often a diagnosis from an orthodontist can confirm whether TMJ exists in a patient.

While many sufferers of TMJ tend to live through the pain, others rely on relaxation, physiotherapy and massage techniques to relieve the symptoms. However, for more prolonged relief, TMJ can be successfully treated by an orthodontist through the use of dental braces.

The braces work by slowly altering the position of a patient’s teeth, helping to realign their biting pattern by shifting teeth through exerted pressure on one or more teeth. As the teeth shift into the desired position, the pressure on the mandible joint is lessened, helping to relieve the symptoms of the disorder.

Sufferers of TMJ needn’t feel they have to battle through the pain associated with the condition. TMJ will not improve of its own accord, and so sufferers should seek advice from an orthodontist for diagnosis of the condition, and also methods to relieve and cure the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder.

To learn if orthodontic treatment is recommended in your case, contact the office of Dr. Seth Newman, serving Nassau County, at 516-626-2060 to schedule your professional consultation today.