What are dental braces used for?
Dental braces are orthodontic devices used to correct alignment and positioning issues of the teeth and jaws. They are commonly used to address the following problems:
- Crowded Teeth: When there is insufficient space in the mouth, teeth may overlap or twist, leading to crowding.
- Gaps and Spacing: Braces can close gaps or spaces between teeth, whether due to missing teeth or natural spacing.
- Overbite: When the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively.
- Underbite: When the lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper front teeth.
- Crossbite: When the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down.
- Open Bite: When there’s a gap between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
- Misaligned Jaw: Braces can help address issues with jaw alignment, such as asymmetry or improper positioning.
- Aesthetic Improvements: Beyond functional corrections, braces are often used to improve the appearance of the smile.
By applying consistent, gentle pressure over time, braces gradually move teeth into their desired positions. This process typically takes anywhere from several months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the case. After braces, retainers are often used to maintain the new alignment.