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What Circumstances Are Metal Braces the Only Option for Getting Straight Teeth?
asked 11 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Greg Jorgensen, DMD, MS
Question viewed 193 times
Tags: metal, options, straighten
5 answers to What Circumstances Are Metal Braces the Only Option for Getting Straight Teeth?
+2
There Are Alternatives to Metal Braces
Back in "the day" metal braces were the only option for straightening teeth. Orthodontics has come a million miles since I had my braces back in middle school (early 70's). At that time I had metal bands on every single tooth! Headgear was how overbites were fixed. Luckily dental materials and technology have improved a bunch and so has the way that we straighten teeth. Although metal braces are still by far the most common way of straightening teeth (with much smaller, more...
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Greg Jorgensen, DMD, MS
Albuquerque Orthodontist
Albuquerque Orthodontist
+1
When are braces needed?
The causes of tooth misalignment are quite varied, and so are the approaches to correcting it. Aligning teeth is nearly always possible with removeable aligners such as Invisalign. If there are bite problems which are due to skeletal jaw misalignment then some type of fixed appliance treatment is usually needed. Or, if there is extreme crowding which requires tooth extractions and large amounts of tooth movement then fixed appliances may be called for. The best...
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+1
Invisalign can solve almost all problems that braces can
Invisalign can solve almost all problems that braces can. The exception for braces being needed involve correcting impacted teeth that can't be aligned with just aligners. If there are significant skeletal problems, then Functional Facial Orthopedics can enlarge bone structures prior to Invisalign, but these types of problems can not be handled with just braces anyway, without the removal of some teeth or surgery.
+1
When are metal braces required?
There is always an option to using metal braces.
If the orthodontist thinks removable appliances are an option, Invisalign is one possibility. Clear braces made of ceramic are another option. SimpliClear clear wires with ceramic clear brackets are the treatment of choice when removable appliances are not an option.
Thomas Braun, DMD
Fairfield Orthodontist
Fairfield Orthodontist
+1
When are metal braces the only option?
Almost never are regular braces the only option! With experience, even complex cases can now be treated with Invisalign (sometimes we do need to add partial fixed appliances for a limited time however). For Cases that cannot be treated with Invisalign, there are clear ceramic braces that can be used (the wires are still metal)
To get ALL your orthodontic options, make sure you see an orthodontist who has a LOT of experience with Invisalign (Elite Provider)
Robert Waxler, DMD, MS
Saint Louis Orthodontist
Saint Louis Orthodontist