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Everyone would love to have the perfect smile. After all, nothing is more attractive than having a set of flawlessly aligned teeth.
Unfortunately, some of us have teeth that are a little bit crooked or have a noticeable overbite that makes us feel self-conscious and less confident about our appearance. That’s why more than four million Americans of all ages are currently wearing braces to correct such imperfections.
However, before you commit to this teeth-straightening treatment option, there are a few things you need to know about traditional (metal) braces:
- The application of metal braces will probably be uncomfortable.The process takes up to two hours, during which time you will experience some pain and discomfort. Not only that, but for the first few weeks that you wear your braces, you’ll need to adjust to the sensation of having metal brackets attached to your teeth. It is also normal to experience some pain when your braces are tightened every few weeks. Over-the-counter pain relievers are generally enough to alleviate this pain.
- Your lips may look different.Braces tend topush your lips forward, making them look more pronounced. The brackets could also rub up against your lips, causing a brasions, which is why you should use orthodontic wax to protect your lips, especially in the early months. Ask your dentist about the proper way to apply the wax to your brackets and be sure to take it off before eating. It’s also a good idea to use lip balm to moisten your lips.
- Don’t be surprised if you have a minor lisp. It’s common for braces to affect the way you speak. After all, you have extra hardware on your teeth. You’ll get used to talking that way, and it won’t be permanent. If this is a major concern, you might want to consider an alternative teeth straightening option such as SureSmile® aligner trays. Ask your orthodontist to learn more.
- Food can – and will – get stuck in and around your braces.In fact, a piece of food can get stuck in your braces for a long period of time, only be become dislodged hours later. Be prepared with a care kit that contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and a floss thread. That said, flossing will be difficult but necessary for your dental health. A floss threader or water flosser might make the process less challenging.
- Your bite may affect your length of treatment.Braces are designed to not only straighten the alignment of your teeth, but also correct your bite. Over- and under-bites are just as important to achieving a perfect smile as the position of your teeth, so dealing with them may affect how long you need to wear braces.
- You’ll notice a major change in your teeth within the first month alone.Braces can quickly reshape the look of your smile, making your teeth much straighter in a relatively short period of time – and even better when you finally get your braces taken off once treatment is complete.
- Treatment can take anywhere from eight months to two years. It all depends on how much straightening needs to be done and how your teeth respond to treatment. Nevertheless, most people become so accustomed to their braces that when they come off, it seems the time they had them on just flew by.
- Braces can be pricey, but worth the investment. Even with the best dental insurance coverage, most people pay some out-of-pocket expenses for their orthodontic care. However, the end result – having the perfect smile you always dreamed of – is priceless.
Teeth Straightener Near You in Eugene, Oregon
At 360 Dental, Dr. Ari Binder specializes in general, cosmetic, and restorative solutions to improve the dental health of patients. To straighten teeth discreetly and in as short a time as possible, we use SureSmile® Aligner trays, which are a more affordable alternative to metal braces and Invisalign. It is our goal to make having straighter teeth easier to achieve for our patients.
To consult with Dr. Binder on teeth straightening with clear aligners, call our dental clinic in Eugene today at (541) 689-1645 or use our appointment request form.
