Take a good look at your teeth. Do they look misaligned? If people have noticed that your teeth are crooked, or if you have noticed the same problem in your children, it may be time to straighten your teeth with a dentist’s help. Most children are checked by a pediatric dentist who can fix misaligned teeth in a timely fashion. A pediatric dentist can then recommend an orthodontist who can evaluate and recommend the required orthodontic treatment.
How do dental braces work?
Dental braces work on the principle of push and pull. Each tooth is anchored to the main arch wire with the help of brackets cemented to the tooth. The main metallic arch wire exerts gentle pressure to move the tooth into the desired position. The pressure gently modifies the underlying bone and periodontal ligament (a membrane that ties the bone ligament to the bone) to move the tooth into position. Once the desired movement is achieved, the arch wire and brackets are removed and the teeth are anchored in position with a plastic retainer. The retainer helps ensure that the teeth remain in the position they have been moved into.
What does an orthodontist do?
An orthodontist will evaluate your case, check your medical and dental history, age, and x-ray images of your teeth. He will then develop a treatment plan to straighten teeth easily. There are different dental braces that can be used by orthodontists, depending on the needs of individual patients and the condition of the teeth.
Types of dental braces available.
For children as well as adults, the metallic appearance of traditional dental braces may seem startling, but the orthodontist will recommend a set of dental braces that are best suited to your needs. These options include:
- Clear braces: Clear braces are a way to make the brackets as unobtrusive as possible. Usually, metallic brackets or hooks are pasted onto the tooth surface, which can create a visibly metallic appearance each time the patient opens the mouth. To prevent this, clear plastic brackets have recently come into vogue. They are especially popular with adults undergoing orthodontic treatment later in life.
- Invisible teeth braces: A few patients are uncomfortable even with clear braces and their thin metallic arch wire. As a result, invisible teeth braces like Invisalign, ClearCorrect, and Originator have become popular as adult teeth braces. These professional invisible teeth braces are individually designed for each patient to gradually move the tooth or teeth to the desired position.
- Ceramic braces: These braces are a part of the newest developments in the field of orthodontics. Ceramic braces cannot be distinguished from the tooth surface and reduce the metallic appearance of braces.
- Special children's braces are also available in different colors. Most orthodontic treatment is performed on children. To get the best results, patient cooperation during treatment is necessary. Tinting the braces a different color and making them colorful ensures that children find the process interesting instead of threatening.
- Mini braces: Special mini braces are designed to be much smaller and less obtrusive than traditional metallic dental braces.
Most orthodontic treatments last for at least a year, which can be tough on the patient. The braces are uncomfortable, and nicks and cuts can occur inside the mouth. The patient may experience increased salivation during this treatment. However, orthodontic treatment with braces can be effective for aligning teeth with a little cooperation and effort.
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