Common Myths About Braces

I hope this article below will help readers better understand what orthodontics is all about.

“Braces are Painful”
This statement may have been true 30 years ago when only stiff metal braces and wires were available.  However, today’s new technologies have produced more comfortable materials.  With these modern materials, there is significantly less discomfort associated with tooth movement.

We sometimes hear from patients who complain about not feeling enough pain.  They think that without pain, their teeth are not moving.  We always have to remind them that it does not have to hurt to work.

Another remark that we hear from patients is, “Make it tighter, I want to get my braces off faster!”  You may think that tighter adjustments and heavier forces means your teeth are moving faster.  However, while a certain level of force is necessary to move teeth, a force level that is too high may start to damage the bone and surrounding tissues.  Orthodontics involves a delicate balance of using the right force over a period of time.

“Having Braces is Unattractive”
Many years ago, the only type of braces available was steel bands that were wrapped around every single tooth.  Times have changed, the metal braces that we use at Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics are the tiniest available.  You can choose a whole Crayola variety of colors to tie around the braces for a personal expression.  Aside from metal braces, there are many other options to straightening teeth.  There are clear braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign clear aligners.

We tell all our patients to be proud of your braces – there is no shame in improving yourself and your quality of life.  Most intelligent individuals will not judge you or laugh at you because you have braces on.  For those who do, take a close look at their teeth, because often times they could benefit from braces themselves!

When considering getting orthodontic treatment, you have to think about the big picture.  Braces are only temporary, while having beautiful straight teeth will last a lifetime.

“My teeth will stay straight forever after getting my braces off”
After your teeth have been straightened and your braces taken off, your treatment is not over yet.  After spending all that time in braces, it is to your best interest to keep your teeth straight for as long as possible – and the only way to ensure this is to wear your retainers as instructed.

Your teeth are connected to the bone by elastic fibers in the gums.  As the teeth are moved into their new straightened positions, some of these elastic fibers are stretched.  After your braces are removed, these elastic fibers will want to push and pull your teeth back towards their original crooked position.  For this reason, orthodontic retainers are required when braces are removed to keep your teeth straight and to give these fibers a chance to strengthen.

“Teeth extractions are absolutely necessary for braces”
While teeth extractions are common, it is not always necessary to have teeth taken out in order to have braces. Many patients come in worried about having perfectly healthy teeth removed.  Often times, even severely crowded cases can be corrected without extractions. However, there are situations when having teeth extractions would lead to much better and more stable result – situations such as improving lip protrusiveness and bite correction.  If I recommend extractions, I will have a good reason for doing so.  But the ultimate decision of having extraction or non-extraction treatment is up to the patient.  A patient should never be pressured or forced to do extractions.

“I am too old to have braces”
There is no age limit for someone to have orthodontic treatment.  Everyone deserves to have straight teeth and enjoy a great smile, regardless of age.  The main concern for most adults is the way metal braces look.  However, with the option of having clear or lingual braces that make treatment less obvious, many adults are willing to undergo treatment.  At Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics almost half of our patients are adults over 18 years of age.

“Braces are a hassle”
Oftentimes, when a treatment plan is explained to a parent, they will tell me “wow that’s such a hassle.”  My response to that is to tell them that their child’s quality of life would be much improved and there would be less hassle dealing with the child’s oral health in the future.  A little bit of hassle now would lead to the child having more self-confidence, a more attractive smile, better chewing function, and easier to clean teeth.

Visit us on the web at www.ManhattanBridgeOrtho.com.