Many young teens agree that one of the most dreaded things they have ever been told is that they will need to have braces put on their teeth. This is often a scary experience in the beginning, but once the teen becomes accustomed to wearing braces, it is not quite as bad. The type of braces a patient will have installed depends mainly on how much straightening needs to be done to their teeth. These are some of the different types of braces that are commonly used today.

Metal Bracket Braces

Traditional metal braces are made of wires and metal brackets. The brackets are attached to the front of the teeth, and metal wires fit between each bracket and attach to them. The wires are tightened to pull the teeth back in place and hold them there. Small, tight-fitting rubber bands are also placed on the brackets to give extra support to hold the teeth in the desired position. Metal bracket braces are most commonly used for those who need their teeth extensively straightened.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are basically the same as metal braces except the brackets are ceramic instead of metal. This makes the bracket the same color as the person's teeth who is wearing them. These braces work in the same way as metal braces and can straighten teeth just as well. However, they are hardly visible and therefore do not make people as self-conscious about wearing them. The wires are usually made of metal but can sometimes be colored the same shade as the brackets so that they are also unnoticeable.

Invisible Aligners

Invisible aligners are used for straightening teeth but are not very similar to actual braces. These teeth straighteners are made of a thin plastic that fits tightly over the teeth. Molds are taken of the teeth to ensure a tight fit. Invisible aligners help move the teeth back into place and work best for those who need only minor adjustments made. As the teeth begin to move into the correct position, a new set of invisible aligners are made that fit the new position. The process of straightening teeth with invisible aligners often requires going through several different sets of aligners until the alignment is complete. Invisible aligners are made of clear plastic and fit so snugly that they can be worn without ever being seen.

While most people get braces at the beginning of their teenage years, some do not until well into their adult years. Fortunately, the same types of braces that work for young people also work for adults.

To learn more, contact a resource like Poulson Orthodontics.