Aesthetic Porcelain Teeth
What are metal braces in orthodontics?
Metal braces utilize a system comprising stainless steel brackets, archwires, and elastic bands to apply pressure on the teeth, correcting misalignments and achieving proper alignment. This method helps improve both aesthetics and chewing functionality by adjusting the bite alignment.
Types of Metal Braces
Currently, there are three types of metal braces available in the market, each with its distinct advantages and disadvantages:
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Traditional Metal Braces:
- The brackets are made of alloy with grooves for attaching the archwire.
- Both components are secured with elastic bands.
- The primary advantage of this method is its cost-effectiveness.
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Self-Ligating Metal Braces:
- Utilizes brackets with self-locking mechanisms, eliminating the need for elastic bands.
- Enhances stability in tooth alignment, resulting in a faster orthodontic process.
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Lingual Braces:
- Shares a similar structure with the aforementioned methods, with the unique distinction of brackets being attached to the inner surface of the teeth.
- Ensures maximum aesthetic appeal by being less visible.
Choosing among these options depends on factors such as cost, treatment speed, and aesthetic preferences
Metal braces are suitable for which individuals?
The majority of misalignment cases, ranging from simple to complex, can be effectively corrected using metal braces. Specifically, these include:
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Crooked Teeth:
- Teeth growing in a crowded or misaligned manner on the dental arch, affecting aesthetics and bite alignment.
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Overbite:
- The upper jaw protrudes excessively beyond the lower jaw.
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Spacing Issues:
- Gaps between teeth, making oral hygiene challenging and impacting aesthetics.
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Underbite:
- The lower jaw protrudes excessively, covering the upper jaw – a common form of misaligned bite.
Metal braces offer a versatile solution for these cases, providing effective alignment and addressing various orthodontic issues.
How long does it take to wear metal braces?
The duration of wearing metal braces typically ranges from 12 to 24 months or longer. The orthodontic process duration is influenced by factors such as the doctor's treatment plan, the initial condition of the customer's teeth, and the individual's age.
Children in the developmental stage of 12 to 16 years generally experience a shorter orthodontic correction period as their teeth are still in the developmental phase. At this stage, adjusting the upper jaw teeth is more manageable due to the ongoing growth process
Various types of archwires are used in metal braces:
One of the factors contributing to the popularity of metal braces as an orthodontic method is the diversity in designs and archwires. In addition to the three types of braces, this method also utilizes various types of archwires such as:
- Titanium-Beta Archwire (or TMA)
- Nickel-Titanium Archwire (or NiTi)
- Precious Metal Alloy Archwire
- Stainless Steel Archwire
- Cobalt-Chromium Archwire
Currently, at Phuong Dentist, we utilize the NITI heat-activated archwire. This is a premium line, different from the conventional NiTi archwires used by most orthodontic practices. Thanks to its heat activation and high titanium content (if made 100% from titanium, the archwire will not have shape memory), NITI has the capability to generate a continuous, gentle force, facilitating continuous physiological tooth movement. It minimizes friction between the archwire and the brackets, resulting in faster, more effective orthodontic treatment, with reduced discomfort and shorter treatment times
Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Braces
Concerning the advantages:
- Metal braces can address misalignments ranging from simple to complex. This is evidenced by a database of millions of successfully treated customers and is widely applied in many dental clinics.
Stable and Strong Traction:
- The metal material ensures stable and strong traction, preventing issues like breakage or dislodgment, making the orthodontic process convenient.
Variety of Styles:
- You can choose from various methods and styles, as well as different colors of elastic bands, providing diversity and personalization for patients.
Cost-Effective:
- Compared to other methods in the market, metal braces currently have the most affordable pricing.
Customers can refer to the detailed pricing for metal braces applied at Phuong Dentist's system below:
- Tomy bracket metal braces: VND 24 million for full payment
- Traditional metal braces: VND 30.4 million for full payment
- Self-ligating metal braces: VND 35.2 million for full payment