How Do Braces Work to Straighten Your Teeth

Have you ever thought about how braces help straighten teeth? Braces are an orthodontic treatment that is based on science; they move your teeth into position using pressure. If you are considering braces for yourself or your child, knowing how the dental braces mechanism works will be beneficial in understanding your options.

Here is everything you need to know about teeth alignment, orthodontic appliances you will find today, and stages of braces treatment. Additionally, we will discuss the developments in orthodontics and assess how companies such as ALIGNERCO are changing orthodontic treatment by facilitating us with affordable at-home options to straighten our teeth.

Types of Braces: A Breakdown of Your Options

Orthodontic treatments have come a long way in recent years, offering patients several options to choose from based on personal preferences, budget, and the complexity of their dental needs. They straighten teeth by applying continuous pressure over a period, which gradually shifts teeth into their proper positions. As the teeth move, the bone around them changes shape to accommodate the new alignment. This biological process is called bone remodeling in orthodontics, and it plays a critical role in the teeth straightening process.

Here’s an overview of the main types of braces:

Clear Aligners

• Material: BPA-free plastic trays.
• Appearance: Almost invisible.
• Function: Clear aligners are removable and custom-made, applying gentle pressure to move your teeth without the need for wires or brackets.

Pros: Comfortable, removable, and no food restrictions.

Cons: Must be worn for 20–22 hours daily and aren’t suitable for severe cases.

How It Works:

Custom-made plastic trays gradually shift teeth, with each set worn for 1-2 weeks before moving on to the next set in the series.

Metal Braces

• Material: Stainless steel brackets and wires.
• Appearance: Highly noticeable, with a classic silver finish.
• Function: Metal braces are incredibly strong and push teeth into their position, making them a great option for more complex teeth alignment cases.

Pros: Affordable and highly effective, especially for severe misalignments.

Cons: Noticeable and can irritate the gums.

How It Works:

Brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected with a wire. The orthodontist periodically tightens the wire to apply pressure, guiding the teeth into place.

Ceramic Braces

• Material: Ceramic compounds that blend with the natural color of your teeth.
• Appearance: Less visible than metal braces.
• Function: Ceramic braces work similarly to metal braces but offer a more discreet appearance.

Pros: Aesthetically appealing due to their tooth-colored brackets.

Cons: More fragile than metal braces and may stain over time.

How It Works:

They function like metal braces but use tooth-colored brackets. The archwire exerts pressure to move the teeth.

Self-Ligating Braces

• Material: Available in both metal and ceramic forms.
• Appearance: They resemble traditional braces but feature clips rather than rubber bands.
• Function: The sliding mechanism helps hold the wire in place, reducing friction and allowing for quicker, more comfortable adjustments.

Pros: Fewer visits to the orthodontist and a reduction in discomfort.

Cons: Not ideal for every type of misalignment.

How It Works:

They also work similarly to traditional braces. However, clips replace elastic bands to hold the wire, reducing friction and potentially speeding up treatment.

Lingual Braces

• Material: Stainless steel.
• Appearance: Completely hidden behind the teeth, making them invisible when you smile.
• Function: These braces are customized to fit the back of your teeth and work much like metal braces.

Pros: Invisible when you smile, offering discretion.

Cons: Expensive, challenging to clean, and may impact speech temporarily.

How It Works:

Custom brackets are placed on the back of the teeth, using a similar mechanism to metal braces but hidden from view.

Braces Treatment Stages

The process of getting braces involves several distinct stages, each crucial for the overall success of your orthodontic treatment. Here’s a quick rundown:

Initial Consultation

Your orthodontist will examine your teeth, take X-rays, and create an impression of your teeth to form a diagnosis. Or, in case you are choosing at-home treatment like the one from ALIGNERCO, you can take a 30-second quick survey to check your eligibility for aligner treatment. After you purchase the treatment, you will be sent an impression kit for starters.

Braces Placement or Aligners Arriving

Whether you're getting traditional braces or clear aligners, this stage involves fitting the orthodontic appliance. For metal braces, you will be required to visit your dentist and get them placed, but if you opt for an at-home treatment with ALIGNERCO, you will be sent your clear aligners at your doorstep, after you have approved your 3D smile projection.

Adjustment Phase

Over months, your teeth will slowly begin to shift into alignment. You’ll visit the orthodontist periodically for adjustments. With ALIGNERCO, there is no need for adjustments or orthodontic visits. You have to switch to a new aligner tray every 10 days, and you can track your progress with the ALIGNERCO Tracker app.

Debonding or Final Aligner Stage

Braces are removed by your orthodontist once the treatment is complete. Similarly, you’ll wear the final aligner tray for the recommended time. The last step to your straighter smile would be to ensure stability with a retainer.

Retention Phase

After the braces or aligners are removed, retainers are used to maintain the new position of your teeth. With braces treatment, you might have to buy retainers separately, but with ALIGNERCO you get your retainers in the treatment plan so no need to pay extra for them.

The Importance of Retainers After Braces

After completing your braces or aligner treatment, it’s essential to wear retainers to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. This natural tendency is known as relapse. Retainers help maintain the new alignment of your teeth and can either be fixed or removable.

• Fixed Retainers: Bonded behind your teeth, ideal for long-term stability.
• Removable Retainers: Made from clear plastic or acrylic base and metal wires, easy to wear and clean.

Why ALIGNERCO Stands Out in the Market

With the rise of at-home orthodontic treatments, ALIGNERCO has emerged as a leader, offering an affordable, convenient, and effective alternative to traditional braces. Here's why ALIGNERCO is gaining popularity:

• Affordability: ALIGNERCO offers some of the most cost-effective options for straightening teeth, making it accessible to a broader range of people.
• At-Home Treatment: The entire treatment plan is initiated at home, starting with an impression kit. Once sent back, ALIGNERCO’s professionals will create a personalized plan.
• All-Inclusive Package: Your treatment package includes the impression kit, customized aligners, retainers, extras like a teeth whitening kit, cheek retractor, remote monitoring, and 24/7 customer support.
• Expert Support: ALIGNERCO’s licensed professionals provide you with 24/7 customer support, ensuring professional guidance throughout the process.
• Easy Tracking with the ALIGNERCO App: Keep track of your progress and chat with specialists via our user-friendly Tracker app.

How Do Braces Work?

Understanding how braces work and the various options available for orthodontic treatment can help you make a more informed decision about achieving a straight, healthy smile. Whether you opt for traditional braces or clear aligners, both options have their unique benefits depending on your dental needs, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. Traditional braces remain a reliable solution for complex cases, while clear aligners offer a more discreet and flexible treatment, especially for those with mild to moderate misalignments.

The journey to perfect teeth requires patience and commitment, but with the advancements in orthodontic appliances and treatments like ALIGNERCO, the process is more accessible and tailored to individual preferences than ever before. No matter which path you choose, you're one step closer to enjoying the confidence of a beautifully aligned smile.