8 Myths About Braces
Find out more about the 8 biggest myths in relation to Braces.
1: I am too old for braces. WRONG. People can have orthodontic treatment successfully at any age. Whether braces or Invisalign is used, teeth can move well for adults of any age.
2: You always need braces on all your teeth – top and bottom. WRONG. If there is only a localized problem – such as one or two crooked teeth, or if there is a desire for a simple cosmetic change without changing everything to perfect it is possible to have braces on only upper teeth or only lower teeth or only on the front teeth.
3: If braces are done “properly” you don’t need retainers. WRONG. Teeth move throughout life, sometimes to positions they never had before treatment. All orthodontic treatment needs retainers. Without retainers any treatment is likely to eventually relapse to some degree.
4: Different types of braces work very differently from each other. WRONG. There are many different types of braces, and the manufacturers of these braces all like to claim special properties about their braces. However teeth are dumb. The do not know what sort of brace is putting pressure on them to move. Only minor differences result from different braces being used. Using Brand A does not mean that now you can avoid teeth being removed, if that is required.
5: After having braces removed you will get marks on your teeth from where the braces were placed. WRONG. Any marks on teeth after orthodontic treatment come from poor brushing around the braces during orthodontic treatment. The braces protect that part of the tooth they are stuck to, but the surrounding tooth becomes damaged from the acid in plaque, making the tooth surface change colour.
6: Braces can be used on everybody. WRONG. If you have bad gum disease, severely damaged teeth or the roots of teeth, severe jaw joint problems, difficulty in keeping teeth clean, or many severe medical conditions then braces are not a good idea. In most of these circumstances any orthodontic treatment is not a good idea.
7: Any doctor who uses braces is an orthodontist. WRONG. Any doctor can place braces. Orthodontists are specialists who have years of additional training and a proper postgraduate qualification. Orthodontists limit their work to orthodontics only. It is all they do, so they are the most qualified to treat orthodontic problems properly.
8: Braces treatment can be made a lot faster if I use accelerated orthodontics – such as fancy vibration devices. WRONG. All the reputable science available to orthodontists shows either zero or very minimal effect on treatment times and outcomes with use of any “accelerated orthodontics” techniques.
If you would like to find out more information about our Braces and orthodontics services, please click this page https://www.orthodontistbrisbane.net/treatments/braces/