Günümüzde mevcut 5 ana diş teli türü vardır:
- metal braces
- ceramic braces
- Self-ligating braces
- lingual braces
- Invisalign
Metal Braces
Metal or conventional braces are the most common type of braces worldwide and have been in use for over 100 years. In the past, braces were very bulky and noticeable. Fortunately, braces today are much more advanced. Innovation and advances in technology have produced new braces:
- Smaller
- Faster
- More comfortable
- more effective
Metal braces are mostly preferred by children and adolescent patients. They attach the brackets to the teeth and connect a wire to the teeth. The wire is attached to the brackets using elastic ties that come in a range of colors to choose from. At appointments every 4 to 8 weeks, the orthodontist makes adjustments to the wire to move the teeth.
Unlike removable aligners like Invisalign, some parents and patients prefer and love metal braces because they don’t require reminding their children to wear them. However, metal braces require care and attention. Good oral hygiene is essential throughout the treatment.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are braces made of clear tooth-colored material, they work like metal brackets but are more subtle and less visible. Patients who prefer ceramic brackets are mostly aesthetically focused adolescents and adults. This is because braces are not suitable for them and they want to fix their teeth in a discreet and cost-effective way.
Compared to metal braces, ceramic braces are less noticeable and offer a more economical alternative. However, these wires are slightly larger than metal braces and can stain the teeth more depending on their habits such as feeding and brushing.
Self-ligating Braces
Self-bonding braces are applied similarly to metal and ceramic braces and function in the same way. Available in metal or clear/ceramic material. The difference between self-tie brackets and metal or ceramic brackets is that self-tie brackets use clips rather than elastic rubber ties to hold the wire in place.
Because self-ligating braces are easy to adjust, the appointment time is less than metal braces. Therefore, self-ligating braces are a good choice for these patients:
- Patients more susceptible to discomfort
- Patients who cannot sit still for too long in the dental chair
- Patients with developmental delays and orthodontic needs.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces behind the teeth are the most specialized and least common orthodontic treatment on the market. This is because they require a different set of orthodontic skills that few orthodontists take the time to deal with. Lingual braces on the back of the teeth are not taught during orthodontic education and therefore it is up to the orthodontist to specialize in this area.
Lingual braces behind the teeth have advantages that no other braces offer. These include complete invisibility, full customization to specific teeth, as well as better efficiency and versatility for certain patients.
Lingual posterior braces are particularly suitable for adults who do not want their braces to be noticed, but who also have complex orthodontic needs. It has also been observed that the popularity of back braces is increasing in aesthetically conscious adolescents.
Invisalign
Clear aligners have seen a surge in popularity over the past decade. Reasons why clear aligners are currently popular and preferred:
- Open and transparent
- Removable
- Allows for easier brushing and flossing
- Faster results than braces for some limited treatments
- Requires fewer appointments in some cases
- Provide shorter appointments
Invisalign is an ideal treatment for patients who wore braces when they were young and need a new “touch-up”, as well as patients with mild to moderate dental problems with misaligned teeth, significant overbite, jaw alignment issues, and cavities. However, when addressing difficult problems or extensive treatments, Invisalign offers significantly more limited treatment than braces.
For more complex problems, lingual braces behind the teeth or the combination of Invisalign and lingual braces can offer a unique and aesthetic treatment solution.