Braces are applied to teeth for various reasons, including
poorly aligned jaws, crooked, crowded and missing teeth, or a
bad bite (also called malocclusion).
Various things can cause teeth to become crooked or jaws
misaligned, including thumb-sucking or a traumatic injury. Some
conditions are inherited.
Children between the ages of 7 and 14 are typical candidates for
braces because their facial structures are still developing.
Adult braces usually entail additional procedures because their
faces have already fully developed.
About Braces
Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that deals with corrections
involving jaw and teeth alignment. An orthodontist is a
specialist who diagnoses and applies braces.
Braces employ the use of wires and are usually one of three
types:
- Old-fashioned, conventional braces, which employ the use
of metal strips, or bands.
- Metal or plastic brackets that are cemented or bonded to
teeth.
- Brackets that attach to the back teeth (also called
"lingual" braces).
Procedures
Orthodontic procedures, also called "orthodontia," are complex
processes.
In most cases, a dentist will need to make a plaster cast of the
individual's teeth and perform full X-rays of the head and
mouth.
After orthodontic appliances are placed, they need to be
adjusted from time to time to ensure that they continue to move
the teeth into their correct position.
Retainers are used following braces to ensure that teeth remain
in position.
Aesthetic and Comfort Issues
Advances in technology have vastly improved appearance issues
with orthodontia.
Braces today are made from extremely lightweight and
natural-colored materials. The materials that braces attach
to-brackets-are bonded to the surfaces of teeth but can be later
removed.
People can expect to wear braces for about two years-less or
more in some cases. Adults are usually required to wear braces
for longer periods of time.
Because orthodontic appliances need to be adjusted from time to
time to ensure they continue to move the teeth into their
correct position, they can create pressure on the teeth and
jaws. This mild discomfort usually subsides following each
orthodontia adjustment.
Hygiene issues
People who wear braces must be diligent in ensuring that food
particles and other debris do not get trapped in the network of
brackets and wires. In addition, brackets can leave stains on
enamel if the area surrounding them is not cleaned on a daily
basis.
Daily oral hygiene such as brushing, flossing and rinsing are a
necessity. Some people with orthodontic appliances can benefit
from using water picks, which emit small pressurized bursts of
water that can effectively rinse away such debris.
Another caveat: Braces and sticky foods don't mix. Crunchy
snacks and chewy substances should be avoided at all costs
because they can cause orthodontia to be loosened or damaged.
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are nifty devices that can help teeth grow in
normally following premature tooth loss, injury or other
problems.
The devices can help ensure that proper spaces are maintained to
allow future permanent teeth to erupt.
If your child loses a baby tooth early through decay or injury,
his or her other teeth could shift and begin to fill the vacant
space. When your child's permanent teeth emerge, there's not
enough room for them. The result is crooked or crowded teeth and
difficulties with chewing or speaking. |