Orthodontics is a branch of dental treatment for correcting abnormalities in tooth alignment, bite problems, and jaw problems. The characteristics of teeth that should be treated with orthodontics are:
• Crowded teeth
• Spaced teeth
• Protruding teeth
• Deep bite
• Crooked bite
• Open bite, etc.

There are 4 types of orthodontics, which type is right for you? What are the advantages and limitations of each type? Let’s find the answer.

There are 4 types of orthodontics:

1. Fixed metal braces

These are general metal braces that use fixed appliances on the teeth. The wire is inserted through the bracket groove, and a colorful rubber O-ring is used to fasten the braces to the orthodontic wires. This ensures the braces adhere firmly, and the apparatus must be adjusted every month. Metal braces are particularly popular among teenagers due to their affordability.

Fixed metal braces
Advantages of Fixed Metal Braces:
• They are less expensive than other types.
Limitations of Fixed Metal Braces:
• During the period of changing the new wire, there will be tightness in the mouth and possible pain.
• During metal braces treatment, cleaning teeth may be more challenging than usual. If not properly cared for, it may lead to bad breath and tooth decay.
• May affect speech and pronunciation clarity.
• Orthodontic treatment typically takes 2 years or more, depending on each individual’s problems.
• Patients must visit the orthodontist for adjustments every month.
• Braces and the color of the clear rubber are visible.

2. Invisalign braces

Invisalign is a new innovation in orthodontics that uses transparent appliances to adjust teeth alignment. These removable tools, originating from the United States, are primarily used for aesthetic purposes. They are very popular among celebrities and businesspeople who need to maintain a professional appearance. With clear braces, there’s no need to wear traditional braces, allowing for clear speech and pronunciation. The average treatment duration with Invisalign ranges from 6 months to 2 years or more.

Invisalign braces

Advantages of Clear Braces:
• They are aesthetically pleasing and barely visible due to their transparency, offering a natural look and the ability to smile without worry.
• They are thinner, lighter, and more comfortable to wear. The appliance is custom-designed to apply gentle pressure, ensuring a good fit without irritating the mouth, reducing the risk of oral sores.
• The position and angle of each tooth are controlled according to individual specifications, allowing teeth to move gradually and effectively into place.
• They are removable, making eating convenient and reducing concerns about food particles getting trapped.
• They are easy to clean, helping to reduce tooth decay problems associated with traditional braces. You can brush and floss your teeth as if you weren’t wearing braces.
• They are convenient, eliminating the need for frequent dentist appointments. All Invisalign appliances can be received at once.
• They reduce the time required for orthodontic treatment, typically taking about 6 months to 2 years to align teeth, depending on the complexity of each individual’s dental condition.
Limitations of Invisalign:
• The cost of Invisalign is higher than that of fixed braces due to the complex production process.
• Users must be highly disciplined, as treatment progress depends on wearing the braces for approximately 20-22 hours per day.
• They should be removed only for eating or cleaning the teeth.
• If a problem occurs with clear braces, a new piece must be made.
• Clear braces are often misplaced or lost due to removal during meals and forgetting to put them back in.
• Orthodontic treatment must be performed by a dentist with specialized expertise due to the complexity of the appliances.

3. Damon braces

Orthodontic treatment with the Damon System Bracket eliminates the need for rubber bands. It features a small hinge mechanism that loosely attaches to the wire, allowing teeth to move. The Damon braces system combines Self-Ligating brackets and Hi-Tetrarch wires to move teeth faster and make the patient more comfortable, experiencing less irritation and pain.

3.1 Damon Q braces
This system includes a hinged device that opens and closes, attaching to steel wire without rubber bands. It has the appearance of a silver bracket, offering a simple, elegant, and polite look. It is suitable for people who prefer not to have latex on their teeth and those who cannot visit the dentist frequently.

Damon Q braces

3.2 Damon Clear braces
These are clear-colored tools that can move teeth without using rubber bands. Made from a special, clear material, they are aesthetically pleasing and discreet. At first glance, it appears as just a wire running through the teeth. They can move teeth faster than other braces and are suitable for people who are conscious about their appearance or who want braces without them being noticeable when smiling. They are easy to clean and ideal for people with limited time for dentist visits. who want to emphasize their appearance. Or want to get braces but don’t want to smile and see braces? Easy to clean and suitable for people who rarely have time to see the dentist

Damon Clear braces

Advantages of Damon Braces:
• Less painful than normal braces: Damon braces do not require rubber bands to attach the wire to the brackets, allowing the wires to move more freely and reducing discomfort from wire tightening. There’s no need for monthly tire changes or adjustments.
• Faster teeth alignment: The hinged design of Damon braces, which can
be opened and closed, allows for better locking onto the orthodontic wires. This facilitates more effective and correct tooth movement, reducing the duration of orthodontic treatment and quickly aligning teeth according to the treatment plan.
• Infrequent dentist visits: The effective locking system of Damon braces in moving teeth eliminates the need for wire rubber bands, reducing the frequency of dentist visits.
• Easy to clean: Without rubber bands to hold the brace wires, cleaning becomes easier. This helps reduce the chance of tartar formation and provides better protection against tooth decay compared to traditional metal braces.
Limitations of Damon Braces:
• Orthodontic treatment must be performed by a dentist with specialized expertise due to the complexity of the tools.
• Patients must clean the braces diligently, following the dentist’s advice.
• They are relatively expensive.

4. Ceramic Braces

Orthodontic treatment with this appliance involves brackets made from clear-colored ceramic material, which are aesthetically pleasing. The only visible metal components are the normal colored brace wires. A rubber band is used as a component to hold the orthodontic wires to the brackets, transmitting the force from the wires to control tooth movement. Additionally, orthodontic wires are used to direct the position and movement of the teeth, along with a tooth puller exerting pulling force for movement. This system was developed from basic metal braces and performs effectively in correcting malocclusions.

Ceramic Braces

Advantages of Ceramic Braces:
• The appliances fixed to the teeth are made of clear ceramic, closely matching the color of natural teeth.
• Having braces installed on the outside of teeth makes maintenance easier.
• The braces are durable and do not easily fall off.
• They cause no irritation and no tooth sensitivity for those allergic to metal braces.
Limitations of Ceramic Braces:
• They are more expensive than normal metal braces.
• Orthodontic treatment with ceramic braces must be performed by a dentist with specialized expertise due to the complexity of the tools.

Orthodontics is the process of maintaining the shape of teeth and aligning teeth that are abnormally aligned. and irregular alignment, such as crowded teeth, spaced teeth, misaligned teeth, protruding teeth, and various types of abnormal bites Which is a good place to choose to get braces? The results will vary depending on the technique and expertise of each dentist. But most importantly, it is recommended to have orthodontic treatment directly with a dentist who specializes in orthodontics.