Today, clear braces are able to achieve adjustments quite comparable to their metal counterparts. Clear braces work just like metal braces, but offer a sleeker aesthetic preferred by many adults.
This difference in appearance is achieved by replacing the standard metal brackets with translucent, ceramic ones that blend in with the teeth. Although clear braces typically incorporate a metal arch wire, and the brackets tend to be a bit larger, they are overall much less noticeable than standard metal braces. Some people also find that the ceramic brackets are less sharp on the gums and therefore more comfortable to wear. Unlike clear braces, and even invisible aligners, lingual braces are truly hidden from the rest of the world: these braces are placed on the back of the teeth instead of the front.
This style of braces is more difficult to affix and adjust, and requires specialized training and equipment. From the patient perspective, lingual braces can create uncomfortable pressure around the tongue, which often results in a minor lisp. Maintaining good oral hygiene takes more effort as well, as it can be tricky to brush and floss around the inward facing brackets.
All that said, if you are able to find a local orthodontist who is willing and able to administer them, lingual braces are generally just as effective as standard braces for correcting overbite. If your top priority is keeping your treatment completely invisible and you have the financial means to afford it, lingual braces may be the right choice for you. Six Month Smiles is a unique brand of clear braces that can be applied by a standard family dentist rather than an orthodontist. As the brand name implies, Six Month Smiles braces come with the promise of straighter teeth in 6 months although sometimes treatment can take an extra month or two to achieve the desired results.
Six Month Smiles is known to be most effective at treating cases where only the front teeth require significant realignment, so if your back teeth need correcting, this method may not work for you. That said, many folks with mild to moderate overbites have achieved perfect realignment using this efficient and relatively inconspicuous type of braces. They then categorize the overbite from normal to severe, depending on how far the top teeth extend past the lower teeth.
Another term in orthodontics is overjet. Some people use the terms overjet and overbite interchangeably. In both cases, your upper teeth protrude over or in front of your bottom teeth. But with an overjet, the upper teeth protrude past the bottom teeth at an angle. Overbites and overjets can be caused by hereditary factors, such as the shape of your jaw.
Other causes may include overcrowding of teeth or missing teeth in the lower jaw. Habits that occur in early childhood, while the jaw is still growing, may also cause overbites or overjets. These include:. Traditional braces are considered the standard of care for correcting severe overbites and overjets. They can also correct crowded or crooked teeth, or a misaligned jaw.
These types of braces are made from metal or ceramic. This aligns and straightens crooked teeth on both the top and bottom of the mouth. Once the teeth are straight, coils, springs and bands are added — together, they help to shift and align the jaw into place. Traditional braces are not removable at home and are usually worn for one to three years. During this time, your orthodontist will adjust and tighten your braces as needed, usually every month or so.
Traditional braces provide constant, consistent pressure on teeth over time, to move them slowly into their optimal position. After your braces are removed, you may need to wear a retainer. Clear aligners like Invisalign are less obvious in the mouth than traditional braces. Aligners can be used to correct minor-to-moderate overbites and overjets. You also must be committed to wearing the aligners all the time.
Appliances like headgear are an option for kids and teens who are still growing. These appliances can help correct an excess gap between upper and lower teeth and are often used with traditional braces to align the upper and lower jaw.
It is common for all of these surgical methods to be followed up with braces. Hess Orthodontics can help you determine the best treatment for your overbite.
Schedule a consultation today! Usually, treatment can last anywhere between six months and two years. Severe overbite cases often require more time as they are commonly combined with other dental problems like overcrowding.
If your orthodontist prescribes a retainer following braces treatment, it is important to wear it diligently to keep your teeth from shifting out of place. Taking good care of your braces during your treatment helps you achieve beautiful and long lasting results! Make an appointment for a complimentary consultation at any one of our convenient locations. Hess Orthodontics has 14 years of experience beautifying smiles across the Greater Tampa area.
Glow up your smile at Hess Orthodontics today!
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