If you suffer from a crooked or misaligned smile, then cosmetic dentistry in Toronto can offer treatments to help correct your dental issue. Cosmetic dentistry is dental work that focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth, gums, and—by extension—smile. The work that a cosmetic dentist performs is often considered unnecessary or optional, but there are certain dental issues that require it.
For instance, crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and misaligned teeth can impact a person’s appearance, but they can also cause other problems. When left untreated, these issues can lead to jaw pain, sinus congestion, or a greater risk of gum disease.
What Are Dental Braces?
Dental braces, or teeth braces, are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that can correct misaligned or crooked teeth. Braces for teeth are devices that are inserted into the mouth to correct, straighten, and align teeth. Braces put pressure on the teeth, slowly pushing them into alignment. These braces may also be used with other orthodontic devices to help shape the jaw or teeth.
You have probably seen, or even used, braces in your childhood. Children commonly use braces to correct dental problems, but many adults also use them to align and straighten their teeth as well as improve the appearance of their smiles. There are many types of dental braces and the type a cosmetic dentist recommends will depend on a variety of factors.
Types of Dental Braces
There are many types of dental braces, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type of braces you see on children. They are the most affordable option available. However, many adults do not opt for these types of braces, as they are also the most visible and noticeable. As well, they cannot be removed during eating or brushing of teeth, and they often can catch food.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are more expensive than metal, but they are also less noticeable and visible. Ceramic braces are built to blend in with your teeth. Like metal braces, they cannot be removed or taken out during eating or brushing of teeth. For coffee or wine drinkers, staining can also be a problem, making the braces more noticeable. These types of braces are more easily damaged than the metal versions.
Invisible Braces
Invisible braces are the most advanced option available. These braces use a clear, plastic film to blend in with your teeth, making the braces almost invisible. These braces can also be removed before eating, brushing of teeth, or for other purposes. While they are typically a little pricier than the other types of braces, they are custom-built specifically for your mouth and teeth, making them effective for alignment and straightening.
Other Types of Braces
There are also a variety of other types of braces that are available and may be used in some circumstances. Lingual braces, which are attached behind the teeth, and self-ligating braces, which put less pressure on the teeth, are both options that can have advantages depending on your dental issue.
When to Use Dental Teeth Braces
Braces can be used at almost any age. Traditionally, children most commonly use braces. One of the best times to use braces is between the ages of 10 and 15, when children’s mouths are still growing. At this point in time, their teeth are more accepting to being straightened and aligned.
Many adults are using braces but people of any age can correct cosmetic abnormalities or other dental issues. In the past, adults often avoided braces due to their visibility, but with new invisible braces options, adults can gain the benefits of braces without people even noticing.
Princeview Dental has been a fixture of The Kingsway area in Etobicoke for over 20 years, where we’ve provided dedicated family care in a professional, welcoming and modern environment. If you have questions about cosmetic dentistry, please call us today at (416) 231-4562.
