Everyone desires to have a perfect beautiful smile and the proper aligned teeth and jaw setting always play a major role in it. For that, dental science invented wire-based appliances for arranging the complete set-up in uniform manner which are called braces. Braces really perform a very crucial role for proper aligned set-up of teeth. But nowadays as a result of various inventions comprise of modern technologies in the field of dentistry, the definition of braces have been completely changed. These days braces are no more ugly looking appliances rather available in complete transparent wire form.
Placement of Braces
Placement of braces mainly occurs in three major phases:
1. Initial Placement of Braces
This whole initial set-up takes around 45 minutes for its completion. The finally fixed braces composed of various components. These are as follows:
A. Brackets
These are available in various types made up of different materials. Such as stainless steel, titanium, polycarbonate base and ceramic. Ceramic brackets are usually tooth-colored and available in transparent form. But modern metal-based brackets are more demanded than ceramic ones because of smaller size and less noticeable. Basically, brackets are placed to the outer region of premolar and front teeth. Since backside attachment to the teeth is quiet difficult, therefore mostly backside attachment is avoided.
B. Ring like bands
Mainly composed of stainless steel or titanium and placed around the molar teeth. There is one buccal tube also present which gets connected with the band attached to the last molar and consequently places the archwire in its proper position.
C. Archwire( a flexible wire)
This mainly connects the brackets and the bands. Also responsible for proper movement of teeth. These are available in few forms. One is made up of nickel and titanium and its superelastic and shape memory makes it more advanced over prior stainless steel types in terms of flexibility.Where there is a more flexibility the more costly the price becomes.
D. Various Accessories
These are really useful in providing additional help to the functions of main components. For example – elastic ties (small rubber bands) helps in maintaining proper connection of archwire to the brackets. Headgear which are preferred to be worn at night helps to allow right movement of teeth.
E. Removable clear aligners
Here is a good news for all those adults who have a desire to correct their slightly misaligned teeth or jaw. Instead of those typical ugly looking braces a completely new transparent, customizable and easily removable braces are available and named as aligners. These are commonly called as “invisible braces”. Each set of aligners are replaced every second week and supposed to be worn 22-23 hours a day. But it is very necessary to remove the aligners while doing activities like eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. This is the only major precaution need to be taken by the user. Clear aligners are resulted to be more exclusive but it is much more in demand by the adults.
2. Periodic Adjustments
After final placement of braces in your teeth set-up, you are needed to visit your dentist every 4 to 6 weeks. The main work is to be done is tighten the connections in between the wires. This is mainly performed by putting gentle pressure on teeth, so that they automatically place into right position. In this entire process, jaws play very crucial role. Actually, the main pressure is applied in between upper and lower jaws which results into uniform alignment of teeth. For this, elastic bands are used to create tension between opposing teeth. Such adjustments include jaws which further help in dissolving bone which comes in the way of moving tooth.
After going through this whole treatment, your whole arrangement of teeth and jaw may get a feel of sore for a day or some. But such uneasy conditions can be avoided by consumption of any pain reliever or should contact the concerned dentist for any worst situation possible.
3. Retainers
As the complete setups of teeth are placed in their suitable points with the help of dental braces, now the next very step is to confront the back shift of teeth to their previous position. This is mainly done with the use of retainers made up of plastic and metal wires. As per the need, retainers can be removed or fixed permanently.
Result
Braces usually give desired results. They very effectively correct the position of misaligned teeth and jaw which are improperly positioned. But the result depends not only on the expertise of the dentist alone. Self- care by the person is equally important. One must follow all the instructions given by the orthodontist and visit him/her periodically.
