How do Braces Work?
 You know doubt know a little bit about braces. You know that they are a dental appliance that is placed on the teeth. You realize that braces are supposed to straighten teeth. You also probably know that you will need to see an orthodontist to get them. How exactly do braces straighten teeth? If that is something that you are not sure about, we here at Robinson Orthodontics have your back.
A Brief Explanation of How Braces Work
Braces are considered a dental appliance, which means that they are a tool that is used to help your teeth. Here is how they work. This is a brief explanation; there is more to it than what you will read here.
Braces are made up of brackets and wire. A bonding adhesive will hold the braces to the teeth. The o-ring will keep everything in place. Braces are made to slowly move the teeth into the desired position. That is why they need to be left on for so long. The average length that traditional metal braces will need to be worn is two years.
One of the most important parts of making sure that the braces are doing their job is the monthly trip to our office. We will check the braces and make sure that everything is in order. We will also make any adjustments that might be needed. An important part of the monthly visit is that we will tighten the braces. That will make sure that a slight adjustment will be made so that your teeth will straighten properly. We will also remove wires and replace them with others. This is also how we will adjust the braces so that they will continue to straighten the teeth.
After the braces have come off of the teeth, we will often recommend that a retainer is worn. This will only need to be worn for a certain number of hours each day, and it often can be worn at night. The retainer will help to keep your teeth straight and steady after they have been moving for so long.
A newer type of braces is known as Invisalign®. These are not for severe straightening. With Invisalign, you will be fitted with clear aligners instead of metal braces. You will wear the aligners for most of the day, taking them off only to eat or to brush. Every two weeks, you will change the aligner. The aligner will do the same thing that traditional metal braces do. It will slowly start to push your teeth into the desired position. Many adults prefer Invisalign over traditional metal braces because it is not obvious.
If you need braces, we will be happy to further explain to you how they work and what you can expect. Here at Robinson Orthodontics, we want you to understand what is going on every step of the way. Call (541) 441-8288 to set up an appointment and so that we can go over your options. We will answer all of your questions as well.
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