Types of Orthodontic Treatment! Tips for choosing the right orthodontic treatment for you from the three main types plus more.

2021.4.26 remedy

Last updated July 25, 2021

Orthodontic treatment will not only change the appearance of your teeth, but will also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Pronunciation of speech may also become clearer and smiling may increase.

Here are some types of orthodontic treatment and tips for choosing the right orthodontic treatment for you.

Types of orthodontics - 3 main types

The three most common types of orthodontic treatment are

Wire orthodontics (orthodontics on the front side)

Backside orthodontics (lingual orthodontics)

Mouthpiece orthodontics (Invisalign, etc.)

Wire orthodontics (orthodontics on the front side)

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Wire braces are a common image of orthodontic treatment. Brackets with wires threaded through the front of the teeth are attached to the teeth, and the teeth are moved to align them.

Because the brackets are attached to the surface of the teeth, it is also called "front braces".

Metal Brackets and Esthetic Brackets

Metal brackets are used for wire orthodontic treatment, while plastic or ceramic brackets are used for aesthetic braces, which are less noticeable.

 metal bracketAesthetic Bracket
Bracket strengthamount of moneySlightly lower than metal brackets
appearanceconspicuousBrackets are transparent or white, so they are less noticeable.
medical expensesPossibility to keep it inexpensiveMore expensive than metal brackets

Backside orthodontics (lingual orthodontics)

Backside braces, as the name suggests, is an orthodontic treatment in which brackets are placed on the backs of the teeth. It is also known as "lingual orthodontics" because it is considered to be the attachment of brackets to the tongue side.

The main advantage of backside braces is that the brackets are less visible.

It is suitable for those who wish to keep their orthodontic treatment as secret as possible.

It is also recommended for sales and service professionals who have many opportunities to interact with people.

Compared to wire braces, which attach brackets to the front of the teeth, this treatment method is more difficult and requires a dentist's technique.

In the early period after the brackets are fitted, it is necessary to get used to the feeling of a foreign object in the mouth and to make some adjustments in eating.

Mouthpiece orthodontics (Invisalign)

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Mouthpiece orthodontics is an orthodontic treatment in which a specially designed mouthpiece is placed on the teeth to suit each individual tooth alignment.

The mouthpiece will be replaced with a new one and the teeth will be aligned.

Advantages of Mouthpiece Orthodontics

Choosing mouthpiece orthodontics for orthodontic treatment offers these advantages

. It is difficult to tell that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Removable.

Low risk of tooth decay

Less pain

Metal allergies are not a problem.

Difficult to tell that you are having orthodontic treatment

The mouthpiece used in mouthpiece orthodontics is made of a transparent material and very thin (about 0.5 mm). The main advantage of this is that it is difficult to discern that you are wearing orthodontics unless you are staring at it very closely.

Detachable

With mouthpiece orthodontics, you can remove the mouthpiece by yourself. Therefore, you can remove the mouthpiece when you want to enjoy your meals or brush your teeth thoroughly.

Low risk of tooth decay

Mouthpiece braces do not make toothbrushing more difficult than wire braces or back braces, and you can brush your teeth as usual. Therefore, the risk of tooth decay is lower than with wire braces, which are more difficult to brush.

Less pain

With Invisalign, the teeth move each time the mouthpiece is changed, but because the distance moved at one time is short, there is less pain because the force is not applied to the teeth as strongly as it should be. There may be some pain or discomfort immediately after changing the mouthpiece or for a few days. Of course, there are some people who feel almost no pain, although this varies from person to person.

Metal allergies can be avoided.

The mouthpiece employed in mouthpiece orthodontics (Invisalign) is basically made of plastic. No metal is used like metal brackets. Therefore, orthodontic treatment is possible even for those who are allergic to metal.

Disadvantages of Mouthpiece Orthodontics

While mouthpiece orthodontics has the advantage of being less noticeable and removable, two disadvantages are expected to occur

Wearing a mouthpiece for long periods of time

Mouthpiece OrthodonticsIn some cases, it is not recommended to

Wearing a mouthpiece for long periods of time

Mouthpiece orthodontics is a treatment that involves wearing the mouthpiece for about 20 hours a day. Some people may find wearing the mouthpiece for long periods of time stressful.

There are cases where mouthpiece orthodontics is not recommended.

Mouthpiece orthodontic treatment is also not recommended for those who fit the following patterns

. too few teeth.

Too much chewing power.

Difficult to treat teeth

TMJ

・Periodontal disease

In particular, those who suffer from periodontal disease or TMJ disorder should consider orthodontic treatment after proper completion of treatment.

Types of Orthodontics - Other Treatments

In addition to wire braces, back braces, and mouthpiece braces, you can also choose from the following four types of orthodontic treatment, depending on the combination and the alignment of your teeth.

Partial correction

Half lingual orthodontics

Combination Correction

Implant orthodontics

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partial orthodontia

Partial orthodontics is a treatment to straighten some teeth, such as those with misalignments or gaps in the front teeth. It will often be done with wire or mouthpiece braces.

half-lingual braces

Half-lingual braces are performed with separate treatment methods for the upper and lower teeth: backside braces for the upper teeth and wire braces for the lower teeth. This method is also popular because the upper teeth are more prominent, so only these are backside braces.

combination orthodontia

Combination orthodontics combines different treatment methods in the first and second phases of orthodontic treatment.

In the first semester, the patient will wear wire braces or backside braces. In the second semester, the patient will be switched to mouthpiece orthodontics.

implant orthodontia

This treatment is performed as an addition to wire braces or back braces. A special anchor screw is implanted in the gums and is used as the main axis for moving the teeth. After completion of orthodontic treatment, the anchor screws are removed.

Types of Orthodontics - Summary

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So far, we have introduced the types of orthodontic treatment: wire braces, back braces, mouthpiece braces and other orthodontic treatments.

For successful orthodontic treatment, it is important to consult with your dentist based on your teeth, your budget, and the length of time you can spend on treatment.

Why not start by finding a dentist you can trust?

365dentistcan help you find an orthodontist.

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365dentist 1365dentist totalSupervised by Yukiko Katsuya, Dentist 

Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, ~2018 Kyushu Medical Center, Dental Surgery, 2018-present Working at a dental clinic in Tokyo

iOS image scaledSupervisor: Dentist/Naomi

After completing clinical training, worked in cosmetic dentistry in Tokyo. Currently a part-time dentist and dental writer.

Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Dentistry/Invisa Doctor

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