If you have a less than perfect set of teeth, then you may be thinking about getting braces. There are some different dental issues that can be resolved by wearing braces. However, in order for you to determine whether or not braces are right for you, it's important for you to have a good grasp on what exactly braces are and whether or not you are going to be a good candidate for them.

What exactly are braces and what are the choices?

Most people know what braces are in general. They know that they are metal contraptions that go on each tooth and squeeze them closer together. However, most people also don't know much more about them than this.

What you want to be aware of is that you have more choices available to you if you decide to go with braces then you may have ever imagined. You can go with different materials and you can even have different types of braces put on. For example, instead of your braces being all metal and going on the fronts of your teeth, you can go with braces that are clear or even white. You can also choose to go with what are called 'lingual braces' and these get put on the backs of your teeth. Also, wearing a retainer after you have your braces removed is a very important part of the treatment plan that you won't want to be lackadaisical about.

Also, there is more that comes with braces than going in, having them put on, waiting for your dental issues to be corrected and having them removed. Once you get braces, you will also be committing to going back into the dentist according to their recommendations in order to have them tightened throughout the treatment. This regular tightening will ensure that they are consistently working on shifting your teeth to correct your issues.

Are you a good candidate for braces?

Braces can be a good option for people of all ages who have certain dental issues, not just children and teenagers. As long as your teeth can benefit from being shifted, then you should be a good candidate. However, you do need to have a consultation in order to be sure that braces will work since there may be times when someone won't fully benefit from braces. For example, you may have such large gaps between your teeth that even braces won't be able to pull them close enough together. In this case, the dentist may suggest another treatment option, such as veneers.

Contact a business like Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP to learn more.