Braces used to be equated with teens, but in the last decade adults have been taking advantage of their teeth straightening capabilities and new technologies with similar affects. No matter what age you choose to invest in your smile, the prospect can be daunting. With this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect before during and after you get braces.
Before
The first step in getting braces on your teeth is consulting your dentist or orthodontist. They can determine many factors that require braces and the correct age to put them on, including:
Crooked Teeth is usually related to genetics or the size of your teeth or mouth.
Overbite-This is the most common purpose of braces. The top dentation overlaps the bottom one abnormally, or the jaws may be misaligned. Genetics can also cause this, as well as early childhood habits such as thumb sucking or overuse of a pacifier.
Crowding– When teeth are too close together, this occurs. If detected soon enough, teeth can be encouraged to move without braces, or removed to make the space needed to apply them in later years.
Spacing– When teeth grow in with excessive gaps or spaces between them. Often times, this can be corrected prior to the need for braces.
Under bite– An under bite is opposite of an overbite in that the bottom teeth overlap the top ones. The same causes of an overbite also cause an under bite: genetics, jaw misalignment, and sucking on a thumb or pacifier. Missing teeth or a trauma can also create this condition.
Once your dental issues are realized, your dentist can determine if any spacers or other orthodontic treatments are needed before braces are applied.
Orthodontic separators, often called spacers, are dental appliances made of rubber bands or metal. They are positioned between the molars during a separate visit, and at the next one palatal expander or braces (depending on your treatment plan). The spacers are place for up to two weeks, and move the teeth apart so there is enough room to fit an expander’s metal rings or a tooth brace. Spacers have been known to be a painful process to the road of braces, causing dull to sharp pain in the teeth roots or gums due to the pressure.
If your dentist determines you need an expander, then its placement will follow the use of spacer. And expander is used when the upper jaw is too narrow or the patient has an overbite. An expander has a set of metal rings cemented around teeth and a unit that hovers in the upper mouth. This unit has a hole that fits a key the patient is given to use at home. The dentist will tell the patient how often to use the key to apply new pressure via the expander. Over time, the expander helps the upper jaw and teeth roots to break down and regrow, placing the teeth in a wider position. Again, the pressure that the expander uses to prepare the mouth for braces can be painful. Expanders can be use from 2 to 3 weeks, with the expanders arms pushing the teeth out 1-2 millimeters each week. It’s common that this expansion can cause a gap between the front teeth, though this is not always the case.
During
Braces are generally applied all in one visit. With the typical metal ones, brackets are cemented to your teeth, and then wire is inserted into them. Bands hold the wires in place. The pressure will again cause some pain, but your dentist will offer some suggestions to deal with it until you become accustom to it. Typically pain management is done with painkillers such as Tylenol or Advil. Proper oral hygiene also helps, as well as swishing with warm salt water. This pain usually only lasts a week or so.
At follow up visits, the dentist will examine if the braces are working effectively, and tighten the braces as needed. It’s very important to let the dentist know if you notice anything that is uncomfortable such as wire prodding your cheeks or gums, as well as any loose brackets or broken bands. (In the case of extremity, be sure to contact them and schedule an immediate exam.)
After
Once your smile has been moved into perfection by the braces, it’s time to have them removed. The bands and the wires will be removed, and a special tool similar to tweezers with bent ends will pop off the brackets. Then your dentist will ask you to brush your teeth before they chisel off the cement left on your teeth. After the cement has been thoroughly removed, the orthodontist will use a small disc-shaped drill to get any final, persistent cement or plaque off your teeth surfaces. Lastly, retainers will be created.
Retainers can be either permanent or removable. If you’re going to have a permanent retainer, then a stiff wire will be cemented to the backside (inner side) of your front teeth. If you will be utilizing a removable retainer, a mold is taken of your mouth and one is created. Usually a follow-up and final visit is done about four weeks after your braces have been removed.
Worth the Work
This whole process can seem overwhelming when you read about it, but having a great dentist can help ease your mind. A treatment plan and proper oral care as you complete it will make everything go well, and you’ll end up with a wonderful smile that also keeps you healthy. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Carrollton, Texas office.
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