You probably know several friends or even family members who have used braces to straighten their teeth. These oral equipments can be one of the most effective ways to give you the smile you want.
If you choose to take this route, ask your dentist to refer you to an orthodontist 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 mouth, take photos of your face and oral cavity, and order X-rays.
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 they are indeed the solution for you, your orthodontist will prescribe an appliance specific for your needs. It may consist of bands, wires, and other fixed or removable corrective appliances.
Generally, there are three types or varieties. Brackets are made of stainless steel, or clear or tooth-colored ceramic or plastic.
They 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 is that they cause more friction between the wire and brackets, which can increase treatment time.
Next is lingual-type brackets. They attach to the back of teeth, hiding them from view.
Traditional bands are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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, may be an option for some.
Your orthodontist will discuss the various types of available 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 they move, the bony 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, as mentioned previously.
They act like handles, holding the arch wires that move your mouth. Orthodontic bands are stainless steel, clear or tooth-colored materials that are cemented with dental bonding agents or cement to canines.
They wrap around each one to provide an anchor for the brackets. The clear or enamel 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 anchors and act as tracks to guide the movement.
Arch wires can be made of metal or be clear or enamel colored. Ties are small rubber rings or fine wires that fasten the arch wire to the brackets.
They can be clear, metal, or colored. A buccal tube on the band of the last molar holds the end of the arch wire securely in place.
Tiny elastic rubber bands, called ligatures, hold the arch wires to the anchors. Springs may be placed on the arch wires between them to push, pull, open, or close the unwanted spaces.
Two bands on the upper portions of the mouth may have headgear tubes on them to hold the facebow of the headgear in place. Elastics or rubber bands attach to hooks and are worn between the upper and lower teeth in various ways.
They apply pressure to move the upper jaw against the lower jaw to achieve a perfect fit. Facebow headgear is the wire gadget that is used to move the upper molars back in the mouth to correct bite discrepancies and also to create room.
The facebow consists of an inner metal part shaped like a horseshoe that goes in the mouth, attaching to buccal tubes, and an outer part that goes around the outside of the face and is connected to a headgear strap. This is basically how the entire system works.
If you want to talk about if this options would work for your needs, consult an orthodontist to talk about your individual case. Why wait when you can have a great smile in a matter of months?
Author Resource:-
Jack Landry is a formal dental hygienist and has authored hundreds of articles relating to dental practice and procedures, and recommends this Bakersfield, CA Dentist.
Contact Info:
Jack R. Landry
JackRLandry@gmail.com
http://www. bakersfieldsmiledesign.com
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