Why Braces Are Smart, Even For Minor Misalignments

Posted on: 26 July 2018

There are several reasons why teeth can be misaligned, overlapped, and twisted. For some people, their mouths may be too small, forcing the teeth to crowd together or shift towards different directions. For others, their upper and lower jaws are not of the same size, resulting in either overbite or underbite. In such cases, their orthodontist may suggest using braces to solve these misalignments. Yet, there are some misconceptions that braces are good only for major misalignments. Here are some of the reasons why it is smart to use braces even for minor issues:

Fastest Way to Correct Misalignment

Using braces is one of the fastest ways to correct the minor misalignment. Depending on your specific condition, the orthodontist can help correct the misalignment for as short as six months when using braces. Other alternatives such as removal retainers can take up to two years to correct a minor misalignment. Take note, however, that you might still need to wear standard retainers for some time after the metal braces treatment to avoid the teeth from reverting to the misaligned position.

Most Effective Option

Metal or ceramic braces, which may be uncomfortable and hard to maintain, is also one of the most effective options even for minor teeth problems. There are two components of teeth braces: the metal or ceramic brackets affixed to each tooth and the arch wires connecting them. The arched wire is bent to reflect the desired position of the teeth after the treatment. As your mouth moves during every bite, the wire exerts pressure on the teeth. Its continuous strong force effectively aligns the teeth over a short period of time. A standard removable retainer may not even be helpful as it may close a gap between two teeth but create another somewhere else in the mouth. On the other hand, braces provide holistic treatment that will correct the misalignment permanently without causing gaps elsewhere.

More Comfortable Option

Modern orthodontics has also found a way to make braces treatment more comfortable. Metal and ceramic braces are now made smaller and gentler. The force can also be reduced, but the treatment period will be prolonged. Typically, the pain and discomfort will ease after two to three days from each adjustment. Your orthodontist can also prescribe pain relievers that will not affect inflammation, teeth movement, and the treatment in general.

Given the fact that braces are the fastest and most effective way to correct a minor misalignment, and the pain and discomfort associated with them are now addressed, using braces is actually a smart choice even for minor misalignments.

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