The Pros and Cons of Traditional Metal Braces

Last week, we talked about Invisalign as being one of the ways that people of all ages can help straighten their teeth. But we also mentioned that Invisalign might not be for everyone, which is where traditional braces come in.

Traditional metal braces are metal brackets that are adhered to the surface of each tooth and connected through a wire. Unlike the metal braces of the past, the brackets are now smaller, and the wire is much more effective at moving the teeth as they can now use the body’s natural heat in order to speed up the process.

Other advantages of using metal braces include: a more linear and faster treatment time, inexpensive, able to be used on children, no risk of loss, and they are able to correct much more severe cases.

However, they are not without their disadvantages as well. For those concerned with their looks, metal braces are very noticeable to those around you, your teeth are much harder to clean, and there are certain foods which you have to eliminate from your diet such as gum, caramel candies, and anything else that is particularly hard or sticky as they can damage the brackets.

To find out whether traditional metal braces are right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist for more information and to discuss your options.