3 Key Considerations When Determining the Right Braces for You

Do you have misaligned teeth? If not attended to early enough, these dental issues have the potential to affect your dental and overall health. Often, your regular dentist will refer you to an orthodontist to provide treatment for such problems. Orthodontists use braces to straighten misaligned teeth. But not all dental braces are created equal, as each patient's condition is unique.

With that said, there are various factors that orthodontists consider in determining the right braces for their patients. Keep reading on below to find out the primary considerations. 

1. The Extent of Malocclusion

How badly your teeth are misaligned? The severity of your malocclusion will determine the type of treatment that is best for you. 

Generally, severe cases of malocclusion require the use of traditional metal braces to correct. The metallic braces will apply the right amount of pressure to the teeth to get them back into the correct position.

Less severe cases of malocclusion, on the other hand, can be fixed using braces, such as invisible braces and trays that apply just enough pressure on the teeth to get them into the correct position.

2. Age of the Patient

The age of the patient also counts. Generally, metal braces may be an excellent choice for young children and teenagers since their jaws are still developing. Adults, on the other hand, may benefit from treatment with clear aligners and porcelain braces because their jaw movements may be minimal. 

3. Visual Impact

Even though the visual impact of braces is an important consideration, it's secondary to the severity of your malocclusion. Aesthetics won't matter if your braces won't be effective at their job of getting your teeth back to the desired position. 

That said, many adults don't fancy wearing shiny metal braces because it is too conspicuous. The conspicuity of these braces tends to make adult wearers feel self-conscious about their facial appearance. This is where porcelain braces and clear aligners come in. 

If your teeth are not badly misaligned, you can use these less noticeable braces for teeth-straightening.

No matter your age, teeth that are severely misaligned can be a serious problem. The situation can be further aggravated by the fact that choosing the right braces can be a confusing thing. But it needn't be so. If you're still on the fence about which type of braces is most appropriate for you, schedule a consultation with an orthodontist at an orthodontics office to discuss your options.

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