Thinking about getting braces? Already have braces? This short PPT covers everything you need to know about braces. How they work, alternatives, advantages, disadvantages, cost, and more.

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Understanding & Maintaining
Dental Braces

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What are Dental Braces?
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Braces are devices used
in orthodontics that align
and straighten teeth.
Braces are also commonly
referred to as orthodontic
braces and dental braces.

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Braces help to position teeth
with regard to a person's
bite, while also working to
improve dental health.
What are Dental Braces?
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Braces straighten teeth by
putting steady pressure on
your teeth, while staying in
place for a certain a mount
of time. (About 24 months)
What are Dental Braces?
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The Arch Wire is a thin
metal wire that runs
from bracket to bracket
putting pressure on
your teeth.
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Basic Components Braces?
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Ligatures. With traditional
braces, the brackets need
a way to stay connected.
Ligatures (as shown here)
are used to “tie” each
bracket to the arch wire.
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Basic Components Braces?
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Brackets can be metal or
ceramic and are the most
important component of
braces. A single bracket is
attached to every tooth.
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Basic Components Braces?
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Elastics are tiny, colored
bands that hold each bracket
to the arch wire. Elastics are
also known as “o-rings” and
need to be changed at
frequent intervals.
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Basic Components Braces?
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 Braces apply continuous pressure to straighten out your teeth
 Pressure from braces loosens the tissue surrounding misaligned
teeth which are then stretched into the loosened socket
 Once the tooth starts moving into the loosened socket the bone
of the tooth will fill around it and solidifying the new position of
the tooth
How Dental Braces Work?

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 Braces are typically very effective and produce excellent results.
 Most health insurance cover all or part of the cost of braces.
 Braces last a long time and hard to break, requiring less maintenance.
 There are a large variety of braces, from invisible to gold-plated.
Advantages of Dental Braces

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 It’s common for patients develop mouth sores because of the
brackets. (Easily solved with dental wax and typically goes away
after a few days.)
 There are a few more expensive alternatives that work faster or
are more discrete. Alternatives include: Invisalign, Clarity braces,
SmartClip braces and Veneers.
Disadvantages of Braces?
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 Metal brace can be easily to spot and some patients dislike the
“metal mouth” look.
 Due to eating and drinking, the ligatures can change color
(especially the white ones).
 The first days after treatment new braces can be uncomfortable.
Disadvantages of Braces?
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Here are a few tips to help get you started…
1. Estimate the cost of braces in your area with our Dental Cost Calculator
2. Find a local dentist in our Dental Directory of over 90,000 dentists
3. Get Financing for the entire cost of your new braces
Thiking about getting in Braces?