What Are Braces For Teeth?

Braces are an appliance used on the teeth to correct many different problems, like teeth with gaps between them, front teeth that stick out far over the bottom teeth, often referred to as buck teeth. They also help to correct the bite and many other problems with the teeth as well as the jaw and are cared for by an orthodontist. They are common for children with their second teeth usually nearing or in their teen years.

Braces are made in different materials, some are made of silver metal, and some are made with plastic and there are also ceramic, which are clear making them almost invisible. No matter what they are made of, they are made to correct the teeth over a period of time and are adjusted during the time they are worn. One thing all the different types of braces have in common is an archwire. This is placed on hooks that are on the braces and are what is tightened to help align the teeth over an amount of time. Elastic bands are also used in different strengths to apply pressure to aid in moving the teeth.

The aligning of teeth is not a new one but can be traced to mid 18 th century France with French physician Pierre Fauchard and in America in an 1887 textbook by Edward Angle. Angle also went on to found the School of Orthodontia in 1910, what has changed from these early days is the types of braces, the ages of people that wear braces and the types of materials braces are made from.