{"id":20577,"date":"2023-06-23T08:56:50","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T13:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20577"},"modified":"2024-01-25T09:58:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T14:58:00","slug":"alternatives-to-braces-for-dental-alignment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/advice\/alternatives-to-braces-for-dental-alignment\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternatives to Braces for Dental Alignment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Braces are a common orthodontic treatment method to <\/span>resolve dental and orthodontic problems<\/span><\/a>. They can help fix several problematic dental issues, from misaligned teeth to overbite and underbite. Many people, <\/span>including adults<\/span><\/a>, get dental braces to <\/span>improve their smile<\/span><\/a> and the performance of their teeth. They can also improve oral health, reducing your chances of developing tooth decay, plaque or gum disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

One reason for the increasing popularity of orthodontic treatment is the wide variety of options. Traditional metal braces are still common and help effectively improve the look and feel of your smile. However, other corrective orthodontic techniques are quickly becoming more popular.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How braces work<\/h2>\n

Traditional metal braces were one of the original methods to correct misaligned teeth. Dentists attach small, metal brackets to teeth using safe adhesive glue. Each brace is connected to the next with a wire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditional braces shift teeth over time. They place consistent pressure on teeth to <\/span>gradually move them into a better position<\/span><\/a>. Dental professionals adjust and tighten wires over time, which ensures that teeth are moving into the correct positions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metal braces typically take <\/span>between 12 and 36 months to fully work<\/span><\/a>. The exact treatment period will depend on the severity of your orthodontic issue. It\u2019s important to avoid hard or sticky foods during a treatment period, to prevent dislodged brackets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Downsides of traditional braces<\/h2>\n

Traditional metal braces have been one of the most popular orthodontic correction methods for a long time. While they are highly effective in many circumstances, they do have some disadvantages and <\/span>potential risks<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few challenges you might encounter:<\/span><\/p>\n