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In addition to the core components listed above, there are all kinds of things that can be attached to braces in order to correct the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. The most common of these is rubber bands (or elastics).
During treatment the teeth will loosen and move because of the pressure created by the braces. This pressure causes the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth to remodel, slowly shifting the teeth into their correct positions.
What Braces Can Fix
Braces can treat a wide variety of orthodontic problems including lack of alignment, crowding, gaps, crossbites, overbites, underbites, open bites, etc. For some of these issues, it is helpful to use other appliances, such as expanders, in addition to braces.
Pros and Cons of Braces
The main pro of braces is a straight and beautiful smile that should last the rest of your life. Braces often take a bad rap, however, mostly due to aesthetics. Nowadays, we have porcelain (tooth-colored) braces to alleviate the “train tracks” effect caused by metal braces in the old days. One thing that many people, especially teens, tend to dislike about braces is the food restrictions — they just don’t want to give up their favorite foods at Houston restaurants — but certain hard and sticky foods can knock the braces off of the teeth. Braces also make it more time-consuming to clean the teeth. But all of these so-called “cons” are a small price to pay for permanently fixing your teeth. Braces can not only beautify your smile but also save you from serious dental problems later on in life.
Dr. Karotkin Offers Alternatives to Braces in Houston
Think braces aren’t for you? Most people are candidates to get their teeth straightened without braces, using clear, removable “aligners.” Aesthetics, brushing, and food restrictions become a non-issue. Check out our Invisalign page!