With all of the options for smile correction out there, it can be difficult to know which option is best for you. One of the most common and enduring options for straight teeth is straight-wire orthodontics, a decades-old orthodontic technique that has been producing even smiles and perfectly-aligned bites for years.
What does straight-wire orthodontics mean?
When we think about traditional braces, straight-wire orthodontics is generally what springs to mind. Consisting of a thin, flexible wire made of a nickel-titanium alloy, straight-wire braces gradually reposition teeth to the best bite alignment possible.
The straight-wire orthodontics technique is used to correct many different issues, including crowded teeth, widely-spaced teeth, and malocclusions (Class 1, 2, and 3).Straight-wire orthodontics are appropriate for patients of all ages.
What’s involved in the straight-wire orthodontics technique?
The straight-wire orthodontics technique has been around so long that there are industry standards nearly guaranteed to produce a beautiful smile. The process is simple.
Step 1: Bite evaluation
Your orthodontist will also perform a thorough evaluation of your bite. This may include a physical examination, X-rays, pictures, and a mold of your teeth.
Using these tools, your orthodontist will design a treatment plan that includes:
- The work to do
- The estimated length of time it will take
- The projected cost
Step 2: Preparation
Straight-wire orthodontics refers to the wire itself, but for some people other straight-wire appliances are necessary before the braces are actually applied.
This could mean using a palate expander or other dental appliance to begin the process of re-shaping the bones of the upper and lower jaw.
Step 3: Brackets and bands are placed
Your orthodontist places brackets on each tooth. These brackets are made of a variety of materials. Metal, ceramic, and plastic are the most common choices. They’ll cement each bracket into place with dental cement. The placement of these brackets is important. Not only does the bracket move the tip of each tooth, but it also uses torque created by the other teeth to move each tooth’s crown to the proper place.
They’ll also place bands around molars. These completely encircle one or more of the back teeth on each side of the jaw and work as anchors for the wires. Cement also holds bands in place. If necessary, your orthodontist may fit these with tubes that accept the ends of a headgear appliance.
Step 4: Straight-wire is applied
The straight wire is connected to each bracket and secured in place with plastic bands. The wire runs through each bracket and warms with the body’s heat. The wire works to become straight, moving along the brackets on the teeth. This action is what moves the teeth. As the wire becomes straight over time, so too, do the teeth.
The plastic bands are an important part of this process. They apply physical pressure to the wire, forcing it to apply pressure to the teeth as it straightens out.
Step 5: Periodic adjustments
Straight-wire orthodontics requires periodic visits to the orthodontist.
Every four to six weeks, your orthodontist will:
- Check the stability of the brackets and bands around the molars
- Replace the plastic bands as they wear out
- Replace the wire when needed
Your orthodontist will replace the wire and bands as the pressure of the movement begins to weaken or wear them out. It is important that pressure on the teeth is consistent throughout treatment. Regular orthodontic visits help to ensure that movement is happening in the right direction over time.
Are there benefits?
Straight-wire orthodontics has many benefits to the patient, including:
- Effectiveness
- Cost
- Ease of application
- Reliable option
Straight-wire braces are effective
Braces have been around since the time of Aristotle and Hippocrates. French dentist Pierre Fauchard is credited with the invention of modern orthodontia in his use of a “bandeau,” a horseshoe-shaped piece of iron that expanded the arch of the upper and lower jaw to create a more even smile.
Modern advances in orthodontia include a malocclusion classification system created by Edward Angle in the early 20th century. This classification system helped orthodontists and dentists better understand where the teeth should be in the mouth.
All of this to say that the history of orthodontics is long, and because of this the straight-wire orthodontics procedure is nearly perfected and designed to deliver consistently even and beautiful teeth. There is no guessing as to the outcome, as your orthodontist will monitor progress and make adjustments throughout treatment.
Straight-wire braces are affordable
Perhaps because they are so common, straight-wire orthodontics are the most affordable option when it comes to straightening teeth. Higher costs may only occur with more severe malocclusion cases that require extreme interventions, like tooth extraction.
Additionally, many insurance companies recognize the health importance of straight teeth and cover at least a portion of the costs. The same cannot always be said of other orthodontic options.
Straight-wire braces are for everyone
While orthodontic treatments like Invisalign may be only appropriate for older teens and adults due to compliance issues, straight-wire braces work for everyone, no matter the age.
The orthodontist is in charge of directing the movement of the teeth, and compliance is not really an issue – there is no remembering to change out aligners or to wear them for 20 hours a day.
Straight-wire braces are fixed and don’t require much thought aside from attention to oral hygiene. This is great for parents who worry about one more thing to manage with their kids.
Straight-wire braces treatment times are easy to predict
The average treatment time with straight-wire braces is two years. This may vary depending on the severity of the bite correction, but your orthodontist can predict with reasonable accuracy just how long your bite correction will take.
If you are looking for an orthodontist in the Phoenix area for you or someone in your family, give AZ Dentist a call for a complete evaluation and to discuss your options!