A Complete Guide to Braces and Orthodontics: 

Everything a flawless smile requires to know 

Introduction

Malaligned teeth not only significantly affect the physical appearance of the person but also pose other problems, such as while chewing, maintaining good oral hygiene, and speaking. Straightened teeth can improve a person’s self-confidence. A healthy, pleasant smile makes a person attractive and more confident-looking. Braces and the more recent aligners are used to align the teeth and thereby improve the bite and overall appearance of the person.  

                           

What are braces, and how do they work? 

Braces are used to correct the teeth that are crooked, crowded, spaced, and Malaligned. They move by applying continuous gauged pressure to the teeth to move them from their current positions to positions that bring the bite into proper occlusion and improve the facial esthetics overall.  

Braces are attached to the teeth with resin, and an arch wire is passed through them, which is kept in place with elastic rings. The arch wire is periodically changed and tightened to apply mild continuous pressure to teeth.  

Types of Braces: Which one is right for you? 

There are different types of braces available, which are metal braces, ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners (Invisalign).

Caring for your braces Do’s and Don’ts 

DONT’S- 

Don’t chew on hard foods, ice, or sticky gum. 

Foods such as apples, carrots, and corn on the cob can get stuck to the braces. 

Don’t chew on pencils or bite on fingernails.  

DO’S- 

A proper, nutritious diet must be followed while avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks. 

Maintaining good oral hygiene by carefully brushing the teeth around the braces is recommended. 

Interproximal brushes can be used under the wires of the braces. 

The first few weeks of getting braces soft diet are recommended.  

To prevent sore spots and ulcers, wax can be placed on the braces. Bye-bye till the mouth gets used to them. 

Use a mouth guard while playing contact sports. 

 Common myths about braces debunked 

Age constraint: Braces for people of all age groups  

Extremely painful: After the initial adjustment period, braces do not hurt. 

Lengthy treatment: Treatment duration varies depending on the age and complexity of the case. Simple cases can be done in even 6 months. 

Non-esthetic: Many of the latest advancements in braces, including self-ligating braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners, make them wearable for patients who are self-conscious. 

Set off metal detectors. No, they do not. 

Once it is straightened, it is forever. No, a retainer keeps the teeth in place forever. 

Braces are only a cosmetic treatment. Properly aligned teeth protect the teeth as well as the joints. 

The benefits of orthodontic treatment 

• Well-aligned teeth make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene, reducing dental cavities as well as preserving bone health. 

• Malocclusions such as deep bites and cross bites can lead to increased wear of the teeth. 

• Teeth alignment and proper occlusion can remove the stress on the temporomandibular joint. 

• Aligning the teeth and the jaws gives a better smile, along with improving the facial aesthetics. 

• With the improvement in overall bite, the ability to chew the food improves. 

• The correction of malocclusion improves the TMJ joint and removes the strain on the muscles used for chewing, smiling, and yawning. 

• With the improvement in tooth alignment, speech becomes clear. Problems such as lipping and the inability to pronounce a few words will be gone. 

Braces for children vs adults—what’s the difference? 

It is easier to move the teeth in children as they are erupting when compared to the fully formed teeth in adults, which will take longer to move. In adults, the mature bone is firm and dense, making it tougher for the fully formed teeth to move. For kids, while the bones are in the developmental stage, it is easier to bring about skeletal changes along with tooth movement. In kids, as the teeth and bones are still developing, it is easier to manipulate them in a shorter span of time. Moreover, adults may have compound dental issues such as poor bone health and missing teeth, which can complicate the treatment further. 

 Life after Braces: Retainers and Maintaining Your New Smile 

After finishing the orthodontic treatment, a retainer is given to maintain the teeth in their new positions. Teeth in their new positions need to be stabilized with the help of retainers; otherwise, due to daily activities like chewing and grinding, the teeth may go back to their original positions. Retainers help to retain the position of newly corrected teeth. Removable, fixed, or a combination of these two can be given as retainers. Removable retainers are custom-made and can be either a traditional Hawleys retainer or a clear Essix retainer. Fixed retainers, which have been introduced later on, are more esthetic as they are bonded to the inner surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, making them invisible. In the case of a removable retainer, the orthodontist will suggest day and night wear for the initial four to six months, followed by nighttime wear for a minimum of two years. 

 Conclusion 

Our Orthodontists at Solitaire Family Dentistry are highly skilled and trained to identify issues in children at a very early stage. Interventional orthodontic treatment can be administered to the kids to prevent the problem from becoming severe at a later stage. We have a kid-friendly clinic in Hyderabad that addresses issues with kids at an early stage. Orthodontists at Solitaire Family Dentistry plan a holistic treatment approach addressing aesthetic as well as functional outcomes. We use braces, arch expanders, and aligners to address different concerns after assessing individual patient needs. Contact us at 6281497455 to avail yourself of the best orthodontic services in Hyderabad for children and adults.