Disadvantages of Metal Braces
Orthodontic treatment is consistently praised for its dramatic benefits, which improve the appearance of the smile while also affecting the overall health in a variety of ways. As with any medical or dental procedure, however, there are some risks and disadvantages associated with metal braces and with other kinds of braces as well. The risk factor with braces is very low, but complications can still arise, and some of these complications could be significant. Your orthodontist can explain your specific risk factors when you meet for a consultation, but it can be helpful to have some information about the various possibilities.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene while wearing braces is of the utmost importance, but it can be challenging to clean the teeth and gums in the areas under the arch wires and near the brackets that compose braces. When food particles and bacteria get trapped in these areas, they accumulate, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Your orthodontist and dentist can help you learn to care for your teeth properly while undergoing orthodontic treatment, which can require specialized tools and different techniques, and you should see your dentist as recommended for regular professional cleanings. When the teeth are not cleaned properly during orthodontic treatment, this can cause white marks to appear on the teeth when braces are removed. These white spots are areas of decalcification, and they can rapidly develop into dental cavities without prompt treatment; with treatment, the decay is halted and the even color of the teeth is restored.
While rare, patients can be allergic to the latex in orthodontic elastics or even to the metal in the braces. If you have a known allergy to latex or nickel, or if your child does, make sure to inform your orthodontic team during your consultation. When needed, latex-free elastic and non-allergenic metal alternatives can be used. Braces can also make the insides of cheeks and gums sore where they make contact with the braces, and canker sores can form when the delicate oral tissues rub against metal components. Orthodontists can provide medication to reduce irritation and inflammation, which helps heal these sensitive areas.
One potential risk of metal braces is something called root resorption. This is manifested as a shortening of the tooth roots during orthodontic treatment. This could be a mild dulling of the tips of the roots, which won’t have any long-term effects, but in rare cases, patients could experience as much as a half of the root shortening, if not more. When this happens, the stability of the tooth and its prognosis for long-term health are both compromised. The precise cause of root resorption is unknown, though it appears more frequently in people who’ve worn braces for a particularly long period of time, usually longer than three years. Your orthodontist will take x-rays before, during, and after your treatment to monitor the roots and ascertain whether resorption is occurring. Another rare complication is something called ankylosis, which is the fusion of the root of a tooth to the jawbone. If the tooth has ankylosed and is already fused to the bone, the braces won’t work properly; the teeth will all collect around the ankylosed tooth. Ankylosis can be difficult to predict, and x-rays may not always detect ankylosis. The risk of ankylosis is extremely low, and the overall benefits of metal braces and all orthodontic treatments far outweigh these unlikely or insignificant risks.