“Over the first few days, rather than pain, I felt an aching sensation, along with some horribly chapped lips,” Lewis continued. “I … found it annoying having to brush after every meal, it became really tedious, but I'm now getting used to it.”
Who Needs Braces?
The reasons for dental braces and orthodontic treatment vary from patient to patient. According to an article at Dentistry.About.com, more than just to straighten teeth or to look good when smiling, orthodontic treatment is also known to potentially help address conditions like:- Speech
impediments
- Jaw or temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) disorder
- Difficulty
chewing and eating
- Sleep apnea
caused by mouth breathing and snoring
- Grinding or
clenching of the teeth
- Gum disease
and tooth decay
The first mention of orthodontic treatment usually comes from the dentist, and the first visit to the orthodontist is typically to have a visual evaluation of one’s teeth and facial structure, followed by a discussion.
How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?
Many different types of appliances, both fixed and removable, are used to help move teeth, retrain muscles and affect the growth of the jaws. According to an article at Colgate.com.sg, these appliances work by placing gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws. The severity of the problem will determine which orthodontic approach is likely to be the most effective.
Metal dental braces made of high-grade stainless steel attached to the front of teeth are the most common, according to an article at Worldental.org. Some patients may complain about discomfort from metal brackets rubbing against the skin. If pain or discomfort is experienced, ask the dentist or orthodontist for some dental wax to place over the brackets.
Clear ceramic dental braces are worn on the front of the teeth just like traditional steel tooth braces. Unlike metal dental braces, they blend with the color of the teeth for a much less noticeable appearance. They may look better but also may break more easily than metal braces.
Invisible dental braces are a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. Not only are these braces invisible, they also are removable so they won’t trap food and plaque between the teeth like metal braces. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only removed for eating, brushing and flossing. This may be an option for individuals with mild spacing problems.
Adaptation to Life with Dental Braces
According to the article at Worldental.org, a person’s teeth can be moved at any age. Adult dental braces are the same as other types of braces, and many orthodontic problems can be corrected as easily for adults as for children. However, since adults are no longer growing, treatment may take longer than it does for teenagers. The average adult wears tooth braces for 18 months to 3 years. After having tooth braces for more than 6 months, the teeth get used to the extra pressure. At this point, an adjustment might not hurt at all, but usually the teeth feel sore for about a week afterwards.
With dental braces, some discomfort or difficulty speaking or eating at the start is not uncommon. Oral hygiene is extremely important at this time. The patient will be taught how to clean both dental brace and their teeth properly. An electric toothbrush, as well as normal brushing, is usually recommended. Flossing wearing dental braces is also essential.
Avoid foods that can damage or dislodge tooth braces. This is the advice given in the article at Worldental.org. Hard foods such as candy, raw carrots, corn on the cob, pretzels, nuts, popcorn and crushed ice are off limits. Sticky foods to avoid include caramel, taffy and gum. These foods can get stuck between teeth and gums or bend wires and knock bands or brackets loose. If this results in damage to tooth braces, treatment may be extended.
Elastic Rubber Bands
During the course of orthodontic treatment, a patient with braces may have to wear elastic rubber bands to help with the correction of malocclusion or misalignment of teeth, according to an article by Dr. Joseph Thompson at AskAnOrthodontist.com.
Rubber bands come in different lengths, and they place forces on the teeth and jaws. With rubber bands, one can enhance or slow down the growth of the jaws and can also be used to move teeth, like correcting a posterior cross bite. Certain brackets have hooks where the elastics are stretched in various ways.
Rubber bands can be used in many different configurations. Normally, they are used inter arch which can be from top to bottom, side to side or front to back.
Dental Braces Monthly Adjustments on Teeth
Tooth braces need to be adjusted every 4 to 6 weeks. On arrival at the orthodontist’s clinic, the old rubber bands or ligating modules will be taken off, possibly along with the wire. A new wire is then put on and new ligating modules may be applied. This can hurt a little because of the pressure on the teeth, according to the article at Worldental.org.
After adjustment, the teeth can hurt for several hours to several days. This can range from painful to just a dull feeling of pressure. During these times, reversal to soft food diet is advised. Upon completion of treatment and removal of tooth braces, a retainer will need to be worn to maintain the results.
by Dolphin Imaging
For professional help about dental braces, please consult a dentist or orthodontist.
3 comments:
Invisible braces such as, for example, Aligners, are also used to correct crooked teeth. The rotation of canines, however, is very difficult to achieve with these.
Nice post I am searching for this kind of content to study. Thanks for sharing Dental tourism
This ideas can really help me. I am planning to have My braces too because of my under-bite problem and hopefully it will be successful with the help of Manhattan dental clinic here in NYC.
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