Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces, Aligners and other appliances/devices are used to make these corrections by moving teeth and bones.
Poorly arranged teeth can break easily and can trap food particles that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Researchers at the Baylor College of Dentistry, found that malocclusions interfere with the chewing ability to break down foods which affects digestion and overall health. Finally, poorly arranged teeth detract from your smile which is one of the more important features contributing to facial beauty. You only have one chance to make that first impression!
The biological process involved in moving teeth is the same at any age. Children and adults can both benefit from orthodontics. It is recommended that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Treatment may take a little longer for adults. Because an adult's facial bones are no longer growing, certain corrections may not be accomplished with braces alone.
An orthodontic problem is called a malocclusion, meaning "bad bite." Some examples of causes of malocclusion are crowded teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth or jaws that are out of alignment. Most malocclusions are inherited, although some can be acquired. Acquired malocclusions can be caused by accidents, early or late loss of baby teeth, or sucking of the thumb or fingers for a prolonged period of time.
First, pretreatment records are made. These records are important tools for the dentist to use in making an accurate diagnosis. They include medical/dental history, clinical examination, plaster study models of teeth, photos of your face and teeth and x-rays of your mouth and head. This information will be used to decide on the best treatment.
A custom treatment plan is outlined for each patient. The specific treatment appliance best suited to correct the patient's orthodontic problem is constructed. There are a variety of different orthodontic appliances that may be used.
When the orthodontic appliances are in place, this is considered the "active treatment" phase. Appliances are adjusted periodically so that the teeth are moved correctly and efficiently.
The time required for orthodontic treatment varies from person to person. An important factor in how long a patient wears braces is how well the patient cooperates during treatment — for example, by following instructions to wear rubber bands or head gear.
After active treatment is completed, the "retention" phase begins. A patient will need to wear a retainer so that the teeth stay in their new positions. For severe orthodontic problems, surgery may be recommended.
Today's braces are generally less noticeable than those of the past. Brackets, the part of the braces that hold the wires, are bonded to the front of the teeth. These brackets can be metal, clear, or tooth-colored. Wires that are used for braces today are also less noticeable. In some cases, brackets may be put on the back of the teeth (lingual appliances). Modern wires are also less noticeable than their predecessors. Today's wires are made of "space age" materials that exert a steady, gentle pressure on the teeth, making the tooth-moving process faster and more comfortable for patients.
Although the average treatment time is about 24 months, this varies with individual patients. Usually, adult treatment takes a little longer than a child's treatment. Other things to keep in mind are the severity of the problem, the health of the teeth, gums and supporting bone and how closely the patient follows instructions. While orthodontic treatment requires a time commitment, most people feel the benefits are well worth the time invested.
Yes, the teeth will move in different directions as the teeth are straightening out. You may see a space between your two front teeth that was never there before or teeth that seemed perfectly straight before the braces were placed may not seem as straight. Be patient and things will start to improve. That space will close and those teeth will line up as treatment continues.
Yes, if you are an adult or a mature teen with only 1 - 6 millimeters of crowding or spacing of your front teeth and no missing or severely tipped teeth. A series of 3-D computer generated invisible aligners made by Invisalign may allow creation of a beautiful smile for you without glued on braces. This advanced technology does not correct bites that are due to jaw bone malpositioning. Be aware that in 2002, Invisalign began licensing this technology to dentists who have "no prior orthodontic experience". We urge you to select a provider with orthodontic training and experience to provide your Invisalign treatment. Many patients will receive a superior result with a combination of a short period of traditional braces to correct problems that are difficult for clear aligners to correct followed by Invisalign aligners to complete tooth alignment.
Rubber bands or elastics contribute a lot to straighter teeth. They are marvels of physics. Attached to your braces, elastics exert the force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth in directions that the braces alone can't. It's important to wear your elastics as prescribed and change them every day so the force is constant which the teeth like. A lack of consistency in wearing rubber bands can bring treatment to a standstill and who wants to do that to themselves. Teeth never fail to move when elastics are worn consistently as directed. As for bouncing an elastic off someone across the room, it will happen (don't worry, your aim will improve).
If you use makeup, use it to draw attention away from your mouth. Go wild using eye shadow and keep the lips simple with beige or nothing at all. Stay away from lip gloss that makes the metal parts of braces more reflective.
Conventional braces on the left are tied in with elastics, which cause friction and pressure, making treatment slower and less comfortable. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the wire, which allows teeth to move more freely, quickly and comfortably.
Braces may or may not improve jaw joint problems. More conservative approaches should be tried first.
You'll have to give up extremely hard, sticky, and high sugar foods. These foods can get caught on the braces, bend wires, loosen cement and pull the braces off and/or cause cavities and permanent white marks. Soft foods or foods cut into small pieces are much better. You'll have to spend a few extra minutes cleaning your braces after meals. But, for the most part, you'll find braces don't cramp your style. You'll still have fun. You'll still be able to sing, play your musical instrument, smile, play sports and of course, kiss. You can even make a fashion statement by having your orthodontist add color to your braces. Your friends will be accustomed to you in braces more quickly than you think.
That depends a lot on you and how bad your bite is to begin with. Complex/severe bad bites take longer. The national average is 27 months. The better you are following your orthodontist's instructions and taking care of your braces, the sooner your teeth will improve. Remember that no one else can wear your braces for you!
Only if your orthodontist cannot save or make enough room for all your teeth. Don't worry, if you have teeth pulled, the spaces will be closed and no one will even notice.
If your permanent front teeth do not have enough room to grow in properly, it is sometimes advisable to remove certain baby teeth in sequence. Removing/extracting baby teeth is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Room is gained for the front permanent teeth by borrowing room from the teeth along the sides. Eventually the borrowed/loaned space must be repaid, by using orthodontic appliances to increase the space or by taking permanent teeth out. Why do serial extraction at all? Because carefully timed early extractions may prevent unfavorable positioning of permanent teeth and damage to the roots of adjacent teeth.
Patients grow at different rates and speed of the biological process that allows teeth to move can vary between patients. Slower than normal tooth growth and poor patient cooperation are the two things that lengthen treatment the most and both are out of the direct control of the orthodontist.
Studies show that people's teeth may shift as they age. This maturational shift continues to some degree throughout life. The most common change is crowding of the bottom front teeth. Surprisingly, careful studies have shown that third molars or wisdom teeth, do not cause or contribute to this crowding. Wearing retainers can minimize tooth position changes of this type.
First, ask your child "Why?" If your child has misconceptions, have your orthodontist address them. If a reasonable explanation to all of your child's objections does not change your child's mind, then don't push or force them into braces. Everybody loses when a child begins treatment against their will. Circumstances may change over time and your child may become more receptive even if that takes growing into adulthood. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. In 1952, it cost the ordinary US worker about 432 hours of labor to purchase orthodontic treatment for a child. In 1997, that parent will only work 279 hours to purchase orthodontic treatment. Compare that to a single family home which cost 6,528 hours of work in 1952 and today costs 10,480 hours. Fees for an initial consultation are minimal. The fee for an individual’s orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including how severe the problem is, how complex the treatment is, and how long the treatment lasts. Financing is usually available. Many insurance plans now include orthodontics. Well timed orthodontic treatment to correct a problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later.