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Years ago, there weren’t a lot of options for tooth straightening. You were pretty much limited to metal braces as that was all there was. While a tried and true method, there are now other offerings available. Here are the common types from which you may choose:

Traditional Braces

If you’re only interested in the most surefire way to have your teeth straightened, and won’t be bothered if someone calls you “metal mouth” occasionally, there is no option more tried and true than traditional braces. They consist of metal brackets that are cemented/bonded to the fronts of your teeth. A wire is threaded through them and gradually tightened every four to six weeks until your teeth come into alignment. Elastic is also used to hold the wire in place, and these days there are some color options.

Lingual Braces

These braces are essentially the same as traditional braces except for the fact that they are bonded to the internal side, behind the teeth. For those worried about their appearance, but also need the strength of fixed braces, they are the obvious choice.

Damon Braces

A brand of braces that does away with the elastic bands, the brackets use a sliding mechanism instead. The time it takes to align the teeth is greatly reduced using this kind, and are also said to be more pleasing to the eye.

Clear Aligners

Invialign® and ClearCorrect are two makers of custom-made, clear plastic molds designed to align your teeth and be invisible to the casual onlooker. A new set of slightly adjusted aligners are swapped out every two weeks until the desired result is achieved, and you can take them out to eat, clean, and brush your teeth.

If you’d like more education about the different types of braces and aligners, call Dr. Shabbir Adenwalla and our helpful team at 360 Orthodontics. Phone: 440-243-9575, or come by our office in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.