Orthodontic Braces

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What

What Are Dental Braces?

Dental braces or orthodontic braces are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help position them about a person’s bite, while also aiming to improve dental health. Braces can be either cosmetic or structural. Dental braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to help widen the palate or jaws and to otherwise assist in shaping the teeth and jaws.

Why

Causes Of Malocclusion

Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite).

Malocclusion is most often hereditary. It causes tooth overcrowding or abnormal bite patterns. The shape of the jaws or birth defects such as cleft lip and palate may also be reasons for a malocclusion.

Other causes include:

  • Teeth whitening boosts your self-confidence
  • Teeth whitening enhances your appearance
  • Teeth whitening minimizes the look of wrinkles

Need

Why Do You Need The Orthodontics Treatment?

Following are some of the reasons why I need orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics Can Improve Your Health

As braces help align your teeth properly, they also can help prevent tooth decay and other health problems later in life. If you consider the cost of treating multiple cavities, root canals, and other dental treatment costs, braces are worth the investment.

Braces Can Increase Your Confidence and Self-Esteem

Having straight, attractive teeth empowers people to feel more comfortable and confident in their smiles and overall appearance.

Braces Can Help Your Social Life

An excellent smile is always a plus when you’re making friends and meeting first dates, so we want to make sure you look your best

Braces Can Help You Breathe Better

As children get older, the roof of the mouth can block the airway as it develops on its own, and lead to breathing problems, poor sleeping issues, and more.

Braces Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

People who have braces, especially as a child or teen, experience a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease.

People With Straight Teeth Have a Better Chance of Being Offered a Good Job

Who

Do I Need Braces?

If your orthodontist or dentist recommends braces, you probably need them. You can always ask your orthodontist how necessary they are, but keep in mind that getting braces is not just about a better smile. Having straighter teeth also helps keep you healthier and can prevent dental and jaw issues down the road.
Symptoms
  • Abnormal alignment of teeth
  • Abnormal appearance of the face
  • Difficulty or discomfort when biting or chewing
  • Speech difficulties (rare), including lisp
  • Mouth breathing (breathing through the mouth without closing the lips)
  • Inability to bite into food correctly (open bite)

Condition

Who Needs The Procedure?

Malocclusion is the dental term for misaligned teeth that can come in nine different types: Braces are necessary when one faces one or more of the following issues:-
  • Overcrowding: Overcrowding is among the most common causes of adults seeking orthodontic treatment. It is caused because of the lacking space in your mouth.
  • Spacing: Spacing is caused due to small teeth, prolonged thumb sucking, missing teeth, and tongue thrusting. This issue occurs between two or more teeth, leading to overcrowding and impacting a child’s permanent teeth eruption process.
  • Open Bite: When your lower and upper front teeth don’t overlap, it causes an opening inside the mouth. This is called an open bite.
  • Overjet: In overjet, your top teeth protrude from your bottom teeth, resulting in chewing and speaking difficulties.
  • Overbite:Overlapping on lower teeth to some extent is normal, but when this takes an abnormal form, it causes overbite.
  • Underbite: An underbite which is also known as anterior crossbite occurs when your lower front teeth protrude far from your upper front teeth.
  • Crossbite: A crossbite can occur on either side of your jaw, front, or back teeth. When you suffer from a crossbite, your upper teeth bite inside your lower teeth.
  • Diastema: Generally known as gapping teeth, a diastema is a dental condition in which a space occurs between two adjacent teeth. These teeth are most commonly the front two teeth.
  • Missing Tooth: A missing tooth, also called hypodontia, is caused by improper teeth development or trauma.

Pros and Cons

Pros And Cons Of The Braces

Pros of Braces

  • Beautiful, Straight Teeth: A straight smile is a healthy one, with minimized chances of developing tooth decay, gum disease, periodontal disease, and more.
  • Enhances Oral Health: If the problem is never addressed, the risk of tooth decay and other oral diseases can heighten, Improve Your Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem

Cons of Braces

  • Braces Can Be Very Noticeable
  • They Can Be Difficult to Clean
  • Braces trap food far easier than your teeth do
  • Braces are an expensive proposition.

Types

What Are The Types Of Braces?

There are several different types of braces. The type that’s best for you depends on a few factors, including the kind of issue you have, the severity of your condition, and your personal preferences.

Metal braces

Metal braces use stainless steel bands, brackets, and wires to gently shift your teeth over time. A dentist or orthodontist will bond (glue) a bracket on each tooth, then place a thin, flexible archwire over the brackets. Tiny elastic bands called ligatures keep the wire firmly in place. Metal braces are visible when you smile.

Ceramic braces

It is also sometimes called clear braces and works the same way as metal braces. The key difference is that the brackets, wires, and ligatures are tooth-colored, so they blend in with your smile. Ceramic braces are still visible, but they’re less noticeable.

Lingual braces

It is similar to traditional braces. But they go on the back surfaces of your teeth instead of the front. Most people who choose lingual braces do so because they don’t want other people to be able to tell they have braces.

Self-ligating braces

Self-ligating braces look similar to traditional metal braces. The main difference is that, instead of ligatures (tiny elastic bands), self-ligating braces use a built-in system to hold the archwire in place.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are also referred to as Invisible braces. Instead of brackets and wires, clear aligners use a series of custom-made trays to straighten your teeth over time.

Unlike metal braces, clear aligners are removable. But you have to wear them for at least 22 hours every day. You should only take your aligners out to eat, drink and brush your teeth.

Before & After

Before And After

Pre Procedure

Consultation

The initial appointment can last for about 20 minutes to one hour, depending on your case. During the consultation, impressions of your upper and lower teeth will be taken and an evaluation of your occlusion or bite will be done. Orthodontists will then discuss solutions, alternatives, risks, and limitations before making a custom treatment plan to fit your needs. Additionally, fees and insurance benefits will also be tackled during this stage.

Procedure

Procedure

Bonding Stage

This is the stage when you are fitted with braces. This is a very intricate process where the brackets are placed on your teeth.

After brackets are placed and the wire is fitted, the patient will have the freedom to choose color elastics. For patients who are candidates for clear aligners, attachments are placed on the teeth, and aligners are fitted to make sure they are perfect.

Oral hygiene and proper care will be discussed no matter the type of treatment and we will send you home with all the instructions and tools you need to make your smile stellar!

Regular Adjustments Stage

This stage consists of routine appointments typically every 6-8 weeks that enable your orthodontist to monitor progress and make adjustments. Braces are adjusted, colored elastics are changed, clear aligners are checked for accuracy, and progress is recorded.

Debonding Stage

After all the hard work, this is the stage where braces are removed or the last round of aligners is finished. Brackets are removed, the teeth are polished and final photographs are taken. An impression is also taken for the final removable.

Post-procedure

How Should I Care For My Braces?

A dentist or orthodontist will give you a detailed list of instructions for taking care of your braces. But here are a few general guidelines:
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss between your teeth and around your braces once a day. (Ask your dentist or orthodontist about special floss for braces.)
  • If you have clear aligners, clean them every day and store them properly when you’re not wearing them.
  • Swish with an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash twice a day.
  • Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
  • Visit your orthodontist regularly for tightening and maintenance.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and routine dental care.
What can you eat with braces?
After you get your braces, you’ll want to stick to soft foods for a few days. Good options include
  • Pasta.
  • Cooked vegetables.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Scrambled eggs.
  • Yogurt.
  • Soup.
  • Soft fruits.
  • Oatmeal.
Once the discomfort wears off, you can start adding other foods to your diet. You should avoid certain hard and sticky foods the entire time you have braces. This includes nuts, caramels, and crunchy fruits and veggies.

Aftercare

Taking Care After Braces Treatment

How can I maintain my results after braces?
Anyone who wears braces will need to wear a teeth retainer when they’re done with treatment. A retainer prevents your teeth from shifting back into their old positions. There are many types of retainers. Your dentist or orthodontist will help choose one that’s right for you.
Retainer Stage
After the initial delivery of the retainers, an appointment will be set for further progress monitoring. Tightening and adjustments can be performed in this final stage to ensure your retainer is a perfect fit.

Risk

What Are The Normal Side Effects Of Braces?

There are some mild, expected side effects of braces, including

Temporary discomfort (which usually occurs the first day and any time your dentist tightens your braces).

Jaw pain.

Irritation on your tongue, lips, or inner cheeks.

Difficulty eating (especially after a tightening).

You can manage most of these side effects with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. You can also purchase dental wax for braces at your local pharmacy to help with irritation inside your mouth. Simply place some wax over any rough-feeling brackets or wire.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.
2. What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training and experience. Dr. Willes can straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structures, and improve the function of your smile.
3. What’s the best age to visit the orthodontist?
If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great time to see an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens. About one in every five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. (Dr. Willes has even improved the smiles of patients in their 80s!) Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or a child, any age is a good time to visit the orthodontist.
4. Do I need to brush my teeth more often if I have braces?
With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between your braces.
5. Do braces hurt?
Braces do not often hurt, though you may feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple of days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces.
6. How can I take care of my teeth if I’m wearing braces or a retainer?
ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities! If you take out your retainer to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, and floss, and remember to keep your retainer safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken. Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in denture cleaner. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or the dishwasher. During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, which increases the bacteria that grows in your mouth, and can cause more plaque and potential cavities. Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.). Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.
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