Braces have been common for decades.
Either you've had them, or you've known somebody who's had them.
They're the pieces of metal that fill the mouths of teens everywhere in order to give them straighter smiles.
Braces are still used today, but thanks to advancements made my orthodontists, there are new options available.
Braces used to be quite large in a young person's mouth.
Even with the mouth closed, you could often see a bulge resulting from the excess metal in the mouth.
Fortunately, braces have gotten smaller and less intrusive.
The brackets placed on each tooth are smaller, as well as the wires used to connect them.
The materials used now cause less irritation to the inside of the mouth.
One of the most appealing new advancements in braces is the option to get clear braces.
These perform just like normal braces, but the materials are clear.
The braces can still be noticed from up close, but from a distance people can hardly tell that there's anything there.
This is the perfect option for adults who might be embarrassed by having braces at their age.
Advances by orthodontists have even created alternatives to conventional braces.
It is possible now to get clear trays to wear over your teeth to straighten them over time.
These trays will take a long time to fix major problems, but for small realignments they can be very convenient.
You can wear the tray most of your day, but still remove it for pictures, to eat, or to brush your teeth.
For people from Delaware to Denver, braces are becoming more available and with new options to make them even more beneficial.