You have probably heard of metal, ceramic, and Invisalign braces; these are the braces most people hear about first. However, they are not the only ones and neither are they automatically the best braces for everyone. In fact, the use of conventional braces is not the only way for correcting dental malocclusion. Here are other dental appliances used to correct malocclusion:

Lingual Braces

Traditionally, braces have been fixed on the outside surface of the teeth. This makes them highly visible, which presents an aesthetic problem to those who are self-conscious to orthodontic treatment. This is where lingual braces come in. Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are not visible because they are fixed on the inside surface of the teeth.  Unfortunately, lingual braces are more difficult to fix (resulting in lengthy consultations), are not easy to get used to, and may also cause more oral tissue irritation than other types of braces. 

Forsus Appliances

Forsus appliances are not used instead of, but rather alongside, regular orthodontics. The Forsus appliance is a dental appliance consisting of a spring that is fixed on the inside of the cheeks. The spring attaches to the braces so that it can help adjust the upper or lower jaw into the correct positions and create dental alignment. This is sometimes necessary because dental misalignment is not just due to individual teeth issues; it is sometimes caused by jawbone issues, and the Forsus appliance will help correct this.

Damon Braces

Damon braces are more or less like conventional braces; the main difference is that they adjust themselves automatically. With conventional braces, you have to go to the orthodontist regularly to get your braces adjusted as your teeth's alignment change. This ensures that your treatment proceeds as well as it should. With the Damon variety, however, there is a self-adjustment mechanism that limits the number of trips you need to make to the orthodontist.

Palatal Expanders

A palatal expander is a dental appliance that is fitted onto your palate in such a way that it applies pressure to the back of your upper molars. This is done to move your teeth (gradually) apart. Palatal expanders are used in cases where the teeth are misaligned because they are severely overcrowded and can't fit onto the existing palate. The palatal expander widens the palate so that the existing teeth can all fit in, and conventional braces are used to bring the teeth into alignment.

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