If your teeth are crooked or you have an irregular bite, there are various dental treatments that can help you correct the anomalies.
An orthodontist is a specialist in such situations. At the first visit to the orthodontist, he will ask you about your health, perform a clinical examination and an X-ray to get a complete insight into your oral cavity. Based on the analysis of the collected information, they will prepare an adequate treatment plan.
Dental braces are used to correct orthodontic anomalies. There are fixed and mobile braces on the market that are used depending on the assessment of the dentist and the wishes and needs of the patient.
Fixed bracesFixed braces consist of locks that are placed on the teeth and wires. Locks are elements that are glued to the teeth, and on their surface they have a groove in which the wire is placed. The wire has elastic properties and it produces an orthodontic force that will move the teeth.
The amount or strength of the force depends on the material, thickness and shape of the wire, while the direction of its action is determined by the shape and construction of the locks. The materials from which the wire for a fixed brace is made are steel, nickel titanium and titanium molybdenum.
Locks can be made of metal, ceramic, can be composite or made of artificial sapphire. There is no big difference between individual locks, only that ceramic, sapphire and composite locks are white, so they are aesthetically more acceptable, while metal locks are cheaper. But they all have the same effect.
A fixed brace can be placed in one visit to the orthodontist. The placement of braces is not painful, since the braces are glued to the teeth with the help of a soft material that will harden in the polymerization process. Materials that contain fluorine are used to glue the locks, because flour protects the enamel from demineralization. The locks are first placed on the upper jaw, and after a certain time on the lower jaw.
Wires are therefore placed in each lock. When we get to a tooth that is crooked, the wire must bend before the orthodontist places it in the brace. This is also the way fixed braces work, until the next control the wires will return to their original shape, they will spread and they will move the teeth behind them.
At the next check-up, with the professional assessment of a specialist, a change of wires will be agreed with the patient. The wires are usually changed every four to six weeks, and earlier if necessary. A new wire is being installed because the previous one has done its job and no longer serves a purpose.
So the new one will work the tension again and move the teeth slightly towards the desired positions. The procedure is not painful, just a little uncomfortable. On average, it takes about two weeks for the teeth, cheek mucosa and lips to get used to the new thing in the oral cavity.
What do rubber bands do on braces?After aligning the teeth with a fixed appliance in the first part of orthodontic treatment, the ratio of the upper and lower dental arches is adjusted. So, the purpose of rubber bands on braces is to obtain a proper bite. When teeth begin to move in response to wearing gums, they move quickly and comfortably.
Fixed braces are worn between 18 and 24 months.
The first phase lasts six months, and sometimes even a year. At that time, the teeth are trying to come to the shape of an ideal dental arch.
The second phase, which lasts about 5 months, serves to close the extraction spaces.
In the final phase, the bite is seated and any errors that occurred in the earlier stages are corrected. While wearing braces, it is important to maintain proper and regular oral hygiene and brace hygiene.
Be sure to visit your orthodontist approximately every 3 weeks. You can still eat everything, but be aware that any irresponsible behavior can peel off the lock.
We recommend that you be careful how you eat and chop food, not bite into large chunks. If you follow all the rules and instructions given to you by your orthodontist, the therapy will end quickly; otherwise, the therapy can very easily last longer than anticipated.
The ideal candidates for fixing braces are all those who have certain anomalies of the teeth or for any other aesthetic reasons want to refresh their smile. Don't worry about the age you if you have or need implants. Orthodontics can be done at any age, even the combination of Dental implants and braces can also work well together.
In addition, fixed braces are necessary in the following situations:
If you lost your baby teeth too soon, the permanent teeth did not grow out for a long time. Everything can affect the development of permanent teeth once in the future.
If the teeth look crooked or there is too little space for the proper development of all the teeth.
If you are constantly injuring the inside of your cheek with your tooth or teeth.
If you breathe through your mouth.
If you have problems chewing food due to improper bite.
Oral hygiene while wearing a fixed brace
It is important to note the fact that caring for your teeth will be a bit more difficult or demanding once you put on a fixed brace. The appliance has a lot of small free space where food can be stored.
Leftover food in the mouth, between the teeth, causes plaque, and plaque is a major cause of numerous dental problems. That is why it is very important to brush your teeth after every meal (even after snacks), rinse your mouth with special water and floss at least once a day.
It may seem tiring and tiring, but your teeth will thank you. Neglecting oral hygiene leads to serious problems not only with the teeth but also with overall health.
Care for fixed braces as well as proper oral hygiene prevents damage to braces and teeth. In addition, the same is more comfortable to wear.
Proper cleaning and brushing of teeth and the use of dental floss
So, as we mentioned earlier, proper oral hygiene is necessary because neglect can lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay. First remove any elastic parts that you need to wear with the brace. Hold the brush at a 45 ° angle and clean the area around the wires.
Brush from the top of the wire down. Make sure to thoroughly clean the entire area around the upper and lower teeth. You will do this by brushing each tooth individually, also at a 45 ° angle. Use gentle circular motions in the area along the gum line. Apply the same on the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth.
There is a dedicated dental floss on the market for individuals who wear fixed braces. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist more about everything.
The most important advantages of a fixed brace
There are numerous advantages to wearing a fixed brace in a timely manner. Straight teeth favor a beautiful smile, but also better oral health. In addition, braces prevent tooth decay, gum disease and problems caused by improper bites.
Let's go in order.
Preventing gum disease: Gum disease can cause problems in the oral cavity if you do not pay enough attention to the proper treatment of teeth and gums. Fortunately, a fixed brace helps to properly arrange your teeth, so it will make it easier for you to brush and clean them. Without the power of a fixed brace, food debris is easier to fall into the interdental space, and this will cause a lot more problems than gum disease.
Caries Prevention: If noticed early enough, tooth decay can be cured quite easily. However, if it has affected most of the teeth, it will require longer treatment. A fixed brace helps prevent tooth decay in the same way it prevents gum disease.
Improving oral health: fixed braces correct the incorrect position of teeth and contribute to their health and gum health. Straight teeth are easier to clean and brush. The fixed brace helps the individual maintain excellent oral hygiene and prevents the destruction of the bone that holds the teeth in place.
Improving digestion: if the teeth are incorrectly arranged, and therefore inconsistent, it is sometimes a problem to chew food to the smallest parts. The result is a longer duration of digestion. The fixed brace corrects the position of the teeth and allows you to chew each food thoroughly. Properly chewed food ensures better and more successful digestion.
Increasing self-confidence: although a fixed brace is important for an individual's health, it also plays an important role in boosting self-confidence. If you have irregular teeth, the fact is that you will not feel comfortable in every situation. But wearing a fixed brace will help boost your self-confidence. In addition, you will feel more relaxed and free.
Whether you wear braces or not, it is extremely important to have a proper and balanced diet rich in nutrients.
However, if you wear braces, it is extremely important to avoid certain types of food that increase the risk of caries, but also damage to the braces themselves. Reduce your intake of chips, juices, sodas, sweets and other sticky foods.
Foods rich in sugar create acid that causes tooth decay and encourages the development of gum disease. Sticky sweets can cause damage to the braces and loosen the locks.
For a while, avoid hard crunchy snacks such as hard candies, nuts, popcorn, etc. It is important to note that you are allowed to eat apples and similar products, but be sure to cut them into smaller pieces instead of biting them.
