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Braces are typically associated with children, and the general impression is that the process of getting braces is a traumatizing experience. They make people conscious and sometimes cause pain and irritation. However, braces are temporary and those who get them are generally very happy with the improvements to their tooth structure and bite.

Getting braces is an orthodontic treatment designed to move and re-shape the teeth, re-position the jaw, and to some extent change one’s facial bone structure. Most commonly, braces are inserted to simply straighten the teeth. There are two reasons why someone may get braces. The first is cosmetic. Braces straighten crooked and oddly shaped teeth, and reposition and spread out teeth that are crowded too close together. This improves your tooth structure and leaves you more confident to smile and reveal your teeth. This way, it has a positive impact on social relationships and self-esteem.

The other reason is improving your ‘bite.’ Some people’s upper and lower jaws are not properly aligned with each other, and this impacts the bite force. This may be a hereditary condition or caused by accident. Braces re-align the jaws and improve the way the upper and lower teeth are positioned in relation to each other.

People often believe that children are the only candidates for braces. However, this is not true. Braces are for anyone of any age, who want to improve the look or bite of their teeth. It is true, though, that braces work most smoothly and effectively with children. Dentists recommend an orthodontic assessment for children by the age of 7. If a problem is spotted with the tooth structure at this age, the braces treatment is performed as a two-step process.

The first step involves inserting braces on the child’s primary teeth. This is known as interceptive treatment. Since the child’s jaw has not developed fully at this point, it is easier to re-position overcrowded teeth and improve the bite. Then the braces are removed, and the second phase of treatment only commences at the age of 12 or 13, when the child’s primary teeth have been replaced by permanent ones. At this point, full braces are inserted, and the permanent teeth are straightened and re-positioned. However, braces can also be used successfully for adults in a one-step process. However, it is harder to treat crowded teeth with adults, and this may call for a dental extraction to create more room in the mouth.

There are various types of braces available these days, and it is best to make the decision of which braces to choose, in consultation with your dentist or orthodontist. Some of the factors you should consider include cost, aesthetics, the purpose of treatment, and any concerns you may have with allergies. Metal wired braces are the most common ones. They are made from stainless steel and connected to each other with a wire. If you are conscious, you could also get ceramic wired braces. These are cosmetically more appealing, since they match the shade of your teeth and are connected using a clear wire. However, they are more prone to breakage. You could also get lingual braces or clear aligners. These are not easily visible and more comfortable to manage. However, the treatment span is longer, and the improvements you will get with these are limited and mostly cosmetic.

It is best to consult an orthodontist and discuss the condition of your teeth in detail, before deciding to go in for a particular kind of braces treatment. It may also be a good idea to consult more than one specialist.