Why are braces used?

Not sure if your dental issue is one that braces can fix? Here’s everything you need to know about why braces are used.

Insecure about a crooked or gappy smile?

Got an under or overbite that needs to be corrected?

You’re not alone.

Each year, around 200,000 people in England and Wales seek orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their smile and boost their self-confidence.

With so many different treatments available, from Invisalign and hidden braces to fixed metal and tooth-coloured braces, there’s an option to suit pretty much all patients.

But exactly what orthodontic concerns do they address?

In this post, our experts here at Elite Orthodontics reveal why braces are used and how they can help you achieve the pin-straight smile of your dreams.

Braces to straighten teeth

One of the main reasons why braces are used, especially among teens and young adults, is to straighten the teeth.

Whether you’ve only got mild misalignments, or your teeth are severely crooked, there’s a range of different orthodontic treatment options to help straighten out your smile.

By exerting constant pressure on the teeth, either with brackets and wires or a series of aligners, they’ll shift into your desired position and beautifully alter your smile.

Of course, getting braces will address your aesthetic concerns, but it will also improve your oral health as a whole – making brushing and flossing much easier.

Braces to align the jaw

Misaligned jaws can be caused by various things, including injuries to the head, face or mouth, developmental problems or congenital conditions.

The good news is that there are plenty of orthodontic solutions to help shift your jaw into a better position – making cleaning your teeth, eating and even talking easier.

Traditional, fixed metal braces are the best option for minor jaw misalignments, but for major misalignments, headgear may need to be worn so that the jaw can move into a more favourable position.

Braces to fix overbite or underbite

If you have an overbite, the upper half of your teeth stick out further forward compared to your lower set – and vice versa if you have an underbite.

The severity varies from patient to patient, but generally, braces can help realign your jaw, improve the appearance of your teeth and make eating, cleaning and talking much more comfortable.

Orthodontic appliances, such as ceramic or lingual braces, can be used to apply pressure to the mouth and reshape its contours – giving you a more balanced profile.

Braces to close gaps

A large gap in between two teeth, AKA, a diastema, is another common reason why people get braces – and if gaps are a concern for you, they’re definitely worth considering.

Through alignment, braces work to gradually shift your teeth closer together and move them into a straighter position, eliminating any insecurity you may feel as a result.

Considering getting braces in London?

No matter the orthodontic issue you’re looking to fix, getting braces in London is sure to help restore your smile and give you your confidence back.

Here at Elite Orthodontics, we offer a wide range of treatment options that are perfect for all patients who want to transform their smiles.

To find out more or to book a consultation with an expert orthodontist in London, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.

You can reach us by calling 020 7580 5370 or by sending us a message via our online contact form and we’ll get back to you with further details.