Do you have crooked or unevenly spaced teeth which keep you from wanting to smile in social situations? This does not have to be your dilemma any further.
There are a variety of different kinds of braces which are available, all of which work to keep your mouth look pretty and symmetrical. Ask your dentist to refer you to an orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in correcting irregularities of the teeth.
The orthodontist will ask you questions about your health, conduct a clinical exam, gather impressions of your teeth, take photos of your face and teeth, and order X-rays of your mouth and head. An appropriate treatment plan is made based on analysis of the gathered information.
In some cases, a removable retainer will be all that's necessary. In other rare cases (especially when there is an extreme overbite or underbite), surgery may be necessary.
In most cases, however, braces will be needed. If braces are indeed the solution for you, your orthodontist will prescribe an appliance specific for your needs.
They may consist of bands, wires, and other fixed or removable corrective appliances. Generally, there are three types.
The first are made of stainless steel or clear or tooth-colored ceramic or plastic, and brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth. Ceramic or plastic brackets are often selected for cosmetic reasons.
Plastic brackets, however, may become stained and discolored by the end of treatment. Another disadvantage of ceramic or plastic brackets is that they cause more friction between the wire and brackets, which can increase treatment time.
The next is Lingual-type brackets. These attach to the back of teeth, hiding the bracket from view. Next is just a traditional band.
These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth. Newer "mini-braces," which are much smaller than traditional braces, may be an option for some.
Your orthodontist will discuss the various types of available braces with you and determine which might be the best option for you. In their entirety, they work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction.
As the teeth move, the bony tooth socket reabsorbs and changes shape as pressure is applied. They are made up of the following components.
Brackets are the small squares that are bonded directly to each tooth with a special dental bonding agent or are attached to orthodontic bands. They act like handles, holding the arch wires that move the teeth.
Orthodontic bands are stainless steel, clear or tooth-colored materials that are cemented with dental bonding agents or cement to teeth. They wrap around each one to provide an anchor.
The clear or tooth-colored bands are more cosmetically appealing options but are more expensive than stainless steel. They are not used in all patients.
Some people have only brackets and no bands. Spacers are separators that fit between teeth to create a small space prior to placement of orthodontic bands.
Arch wires attach to the brackets and act as tracks to guide the movement of the teeth. Arch wires can be made of metal or be clear or tooth-colored.
Author Resource:-
Tom Selwick is a former dental assistant, has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and has worked for an implant dentist in Las Vegas. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
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