DENTAL BRACES
Braces, a system of brackets and wires used to straighten teeth, are familiar to most patients. However, you may be unaware of new technologies and solutions that make braces more effective and comfortable than ever before. Brackets are now smaller and less apparent than they have ever been, and they can be made of various materials, ranging from clear plastic to multicolored ceramic. They can be used to treat both minor misalignments and more significant problems such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites spacing or crowding.
What is a Good Candidate for Braces?
Anyone with malalignment even at the age of 60 can have braces. In simple words, there is no upper age limit for braces. Children can be benefitted from orthodontic treatment at any age. The most suitable age for children is anything between 10-14 when the mouth and skull are still growing, and teeth respond faster and in a better way to the treatment Your child’s teeth and their progression can be monitored by your local Bright Now! Our dentist or orthodontist will do a detailed examination and determine the best time for your kid to start the treatment.
Some adults who had braces as teenagers may choose to wear them again as adults for a case of relapse. This is especially common in patients who did not wear their retainer as directed after their initial orthodontic treatments as teenagers. Without adequate retainer use, the teeth may slip out of alignment to the point where braces are required to re-align them.
Braces can be used to straighten somewhat misaligned teeth, but they’re also the treatment of choice for more problematic tooth alignment issues. If you or your kid has a crossbite, when one or more upper teeth is overlapped or locked by the lower teeth, braces can help you to correct the alignment and eventually help you to chew more efficiently. Braces can also be used to address an open bite, which occurs when the upper front teeth do not come in contact with the lower front teeth with a vertical gap between the upper and lower teeth.
Dental Braces Treatment Process
The first step in acquiring braces for you or your teen is to book a free consultation visit with an orthodontist. He or she will assess if you are a good candidate for braces and will create a treatment plan specifically for you. If you decide to proceed with treatment, you can put your braces in a single session that lasts about one to two hours.
Your orthodontist will clean your teeth before placing your braces. The brackets will then be attached to each tooth using a suitable bonding agent. Wires will be carefully installed to link the brackets to one another once they are in place. Finally, rubber bands can be used to apply extra pressure to specific brackets. The braces do not hurt, but as your jaw adjusts to the braces, you may notice some soreness and discomfort in the days following your session.
Most individuals need to wear braces for one to two years, though if you have a more extreme case, you may need to wear them for a little longer. Adults who choose to wear braces to correct minor misalignments are usually only required to do so for a year or less. You’ll visit your orthodontist every 6 to 8 weeks for modifications during your treatment. During these meetings, your orthodontist will gradually tighten the braces, assisting in the movement of your teeth toward their final positions. Once your alignment is corrected, your dentist will advise you to wear a suitable retainer either fixed or removable for a period of 6 months to avoid the teeth relapsing to their original position.
