Your Guide to Braces: What to Expect:

Braces and Orthodontia Overview - Braces: this is one rite of passage that most of us wouldn't mind skipping. If you are in the market for braces, be thankful that you weren't born a few decades ago. While the dreaded headgear may have helped correct overbites and misaligned teeth, they don't do much to boost the confidence on school picture day. Today, while still not something anyone would look forward to, braces and orthodontia have seen remarkable advances, including the revolutionary Invisalign. And another important advance is that braces are not exclusively for gawky teenagers. More and more adults are beginning to take advantage of the advances in the field of orthodontia, finally getting the smile that they have wanted all their lives. Whether you are interested in braces for yourself or your child, you likely have a lot of questions, and foremost among them is probably about cost, how long you'll have to wear them, and what it will feel like to have them put on, adjusted, and taken off. These are important considerations to keep in mind so you can make the most informed choice for your appearance and your dental health. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of braces.

Do You Need Braces? - Most of us want straight perfect teeth that seem to be the norm on every celebrity and star we see on TV - and many of the people around us. If our own teeth are not perfect, it can cause some self-consciousness, but is this basis for getting braces? When do you really need braces? Your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist or braces specialist if he notices signs of "malocclusion," literally "bad bite." This could be an overbite, underbite, crowded teeth, or other issues with the bite, jaw, and/or teeth. It is estimated that about 70 percent of Americans have some sort of malocclusion. How many of us have braces? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, about 70 to 80 percent of teens have or will have braces, and another million people over the age of 18 have braces. Here are common reasons for braces:

*To achieve the proper spacing between teeth. If they are too crowded, they can be very difficult to clean.
*To straighten teeth that have grown in crooked or are overlapping.
*To correct an overbite or underbite.
*To prevent further dental and health problems from occurring. Misaligned teeth can cause issues with your jaw, mouth, and breathing. In turn, jaw issues can lead to headaches.
*To increase self-confidence. Many people are very concerned with the appearance of their teeth and feel self-conscious or ashamed of imperfections.

Your dentist will probably be able to tell if you need braces before any difficulties begin to present themselves. He may refer you or your child to an orthodontist even before the age of 10 in case simple preventative measures can be taken to correct a problem. In most cases, a child will be referred as she enters her teen years. Adults can obviously decide for themselves when and if they want braces.

How Do Braces Work?:

If you ask some kids with braces, they will tell you that they work by torture. A rather medieval picture presents itself of someone tightening the screws on metal appliances that are attached to your teeth. Another day at the orthodontist. Is it that bad? No. Is it fun and pain-free? No. Braces work by exerting constant force and pressure on the teeth while keeping them in place. This forces them into the position that is best for your dental health and your appearance. This can be uncomfortable at times, and downright painful when you first have your braces put on. We are speaking now of traditional metal braces (we will talk about Invisalign in a bit). So what is the procedure like? If you want to take a look, try this YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shZlze3rkhw). After an orthodontic consult, you will have to wear spacers for about two weeks before getting braces. These simply make room for the bands to go on your teeth. The braces are secured to the teeth with glue, which may have fluoride. The metal (or ceramic) brackets are then attached. Next, a wire is inserted through the brackets. This is held in place by tiny rubber bands on each bracket or by a type of putty. Today's braces are made of heat-activated nickel and titanium metal, which allows the orthodontist to work without all the pulling and tugging that was common in older braces. When the metal cools, it hardens and is able to exert pressure on the teeth. Usually, these braces stay on for about 1 to 3 years, and you will need periodic adjustments to ensure the proper amount of force is maintained as your jaw or teeth change. So why get these "obsolete" metal braces? Why not get the clear ones? Or, at least, the less visible ceramic version? First, ceramic is more expensive, and many orthodontists believe that the metal ones work better. Ceramics are also more vulnerable to breakage from accidents and trauma than metal braces. And Invisalign, the ideal for braces, is not available to those with more than moderate alignment problems. In other words, you may need to get the metal. How Much Do Traditional Braces Cost? This answer depends on your teeth, but the average cost is about $5400 to $7600 on the high end. Many insurance plans cover part of the cost for children under 18. Adults usually do not have coverage for this, but check with your provider to be sure. If you have a low income and your child needs braces, contact the American Dental Association to see if you can get help.

Alternatives to Metal Braces:

There are some alternatives to metal braces. You may find that another choice suits you better:

*Ceramic. These are similar to traditional metal braces but use a ceramic material to be far less visible. As noted, they can be less effective than metal braces, so talk to your dentist or orthodontist. These cost about $500 more than traditional braces.
*Lingual. This is another choice that is designed to be less visible. Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth so no one can see them, but work like regular braces. These are at least $1000 to $1500 more expensive than traditional braces, and at the high-end, they can cost as much as $10,000 because they are custom fit. They are often used by those who want total concealment of the braces, including many older people.
*Invisalign. This is a choice we've been hearing a lot about in recent years. Is Invisalign right for you? These are a series of clear aligners that you change periodically to gradually shift your teeth into the desired location. They do this relatively pain-free, though there is some discomfort each time you change to a new aligner.

Invisalign is designed to work for those with mild to moderate malocclusions because the aligners do not offer the same level of control that metal braces do. If you had a severe overbite, for instance, you would probably need metal braces to correct this. If you want to straighten a few slightly misaligned teeth, Invisalign can be an excellent choice if you are committed to wearing your aligners for about 22 hours a day and maintaining their cleanliness and that of your teeth. They cost from about $3500 to $5000. It is best to talk your options over with your dentist and orthodontist. You may find that you don't need braces at all or that more simple measures can be taken. You may find out that you need braces to correct problems before they start to affect your health. In either case, you can begin to enjoy your teeth, and that is certainly something to smile about.

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