Types of Oral Appliances Used in Orthodontic Treatment

The art of moving and rotating teeth is not one to be taken at face value. The process is intricate and takes time before the desired goals are realized. When teeth have been in one position for a long time, moving them takes a lot, which is why you should appreciate the services offered in orthodontic treatment in San Jose.

Orthodontic treatment is one of the dental procedures in dentistry that takes very long to be completed. It explains why the processes cannot be achieved without the use of different oral appliances to get the job done.

What Is Orthodontics?

It is a specialty of dentistry that caters to the alignment of teeth. The goal of orthodontics is to straighten teeth and improve the appearance thereof. Orthodontics is performed to also boost the functionality of the mouth by improving the overall bite of a patient.

The process of moving teeth is unique from other types of procedures in dentistry. Without the use of oral appliances, it is impossible to move and rotate teeth. To achieve the perfect smile, however, an orthodontist near you had to use different oral appliances. It depends on the orthodontic needs you have, and their complexity thereof.

Types of Oral Appliances in Orthodontics

Many oral appliances can be employed to straighten your teeth. By the time you are completing your treatment, you will have used more than one oral appliance. Among the different dental appliances in orthodontics include:

• Braces – are the most known oral appliances in orthodontics. They feature aligners used to place controlled pressure in teeth. They are designed with a tight snug in teeth, moving and rotating them in an identified position and location. Braces come in different types and designs, including:
• Traditional metal braces – are the most common type. They feature metal brackets and wires, placed on teeth to move them.
• Ceramic braces – they are very similar to traditional metal braces. However, instead of metal brackets, they use ceramic. This means that the braces will be more aesthetically appealing than the metal braces because the ceramics are less visible than the metal brackets.
• Invisalign® braces – Invisalign braces are also pretty common, although different from metal braces. They are made with a transparent plastic-like material, forming two trays of aligners, one for each jawline.
• Lingual braces – if you are going for complete anonymity, lingual braces are the way to go. They are braces placed only on the back of your teeth. They use metal brackets, which are created to match the shape of your teeth. Ideally, when you smile, no one will see the braces, since they are behind your teeth.
• Headgear – they are oral appliances used to correct improper bites. They help pull back teeth to prevent further growth of either the upper or lower jawbone, hence treating an underbite or overbite.
• Palatal expanders – they are used to expand the upper jaw. Expanding the jaw creates more room in your mouth to accommodate the number of teeth you have. This technique is mostly employed to treat a crowded mouth.
• Positioners – they are appliances used as the last phase of your orthodontic treatment. They complete the last tooth movements, perfecting your results. You should wear them for a few weeks, usually up to 8 weeks after wearing braces.
• Retainers – an orthodontist near you will explain that retainers are oral appliances used after completion of your treatment. They help hold your teeth in their new place to prevent regression. Some retainers are removable while others are fixed. After orthodontic treatment, you need retainers to ensure you keep your results for a long time to come. Some patients may need to wear retainers for the rest of their lives to maintain their results.

Do You Get to Choose Oral Appliances?

The flexibility of choice when it comes to oral appliances in orthodontics is limited. Technically, you have the freedom of choice based on the options your orthodontist brings up. Usually, the choice is on the type of braces you should get to straighten your teeth. If you qualify for all types of braces, you can pick and choose the ones that best befit your preferences and oral needs. Overall, the choices you can make lean more toward the kind of materials you prefer for your oral appliances.