How to Take Care of Dental Braces

Dental braces are wire-based devices used by orthodontists to correct crowded and poorly-aligned teeth or jawbones. Many people who need dental braces get them in their early teens. However, adults can also get the benefit of wearing braces. The goal of dental braces is to properly align your teeth and jaws to provide an excellent bite and a pleasing smile.

For minor corrections, one option may be a series of made-to-order, removable plaques known as clear aligners or "invisible braces". If you're considering clear aligners versus fixed braces, inquire about the price and the pros and cons according to your specific needs. Many people need braces to correct problems with their teeth.

About dental braces

Dental braces provide corrective treatment for:

·         crowded or crooked teeth

·         too much space between the teeth

·         the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower teeth – either vertically (overbite) or horizontally (overjet)

·         upper front teeth that bite behind the lower part of teeth (underbite)

·         Other jaw arrangement and texture issues that cause an uneven bite

·         Proper alignment of your teeth and jaws can improve not only your looks but also your oral health and the way you bite, chew and speak.

Risk factors associated with dental braces

Wearing dental braces is a mostly safe procedure. However, there are some risks.

Short term risk

·         Plaque forms small areas around your teeth that can collect food particles and promote bacteria-filled plaque deposits. Failure to get rid of deposits of food and plaque will cause:

·         The loss of minerals in the outer enamel surface of your teeth can leave permanent white stains on your teeth.

·         Tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease.

·         long term risk

Long-term risks may include:

Short root length: During tooth movement, some bone dissolves in the path of the moving tooth while new bone is placed behind it. So because of the pressure exerted by the braces, root regression leads to a reduction in the length of the root.

Permanent loss of anatomical length: This can occur throughout the process and may result in less stable teeth. However, this does not cause any problems in most cases.

Loss of correction: If you don't follow your orthodontist's instructions carefully after you have your plaque removed and use a tool referred to as a retainer, you will lose some of the correction you gained from wearing your braces.

When to see a doctor

To reduce your risk of damaging your teeth and plaque:

·       Cut down on sugary and starchy foods and beverages that will contribute to plaque formation and dental decay.

·         Brush vigorously, ideally once after each meal, and use a soft-bristled brush. If you cannot brush your teeth once after each meal, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

·         Rinse thoroughly to remove all particles from your fillet. Check in the mirror that your teeth are clean.

·         Use a halide rinse if prescribed by your dentist, otherwise don't.

·         Floss between the braces and the bottom wires using a floss bodkin. Your dentist may recommend a small toothbrush to wash between braces and wires.

·         Totally avoid sticky foods like chewing gum, chewy candies, caramel, and toffee. They'll take out the brackets, bands, and wires.

·         Avoid hard or firm foods such as ice, raw carrots, hard candies, popcorn and nuts. They will break off parts of your braces.

·         Visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings as often as your dentist recommends to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

·         Follow your dentist's instructions as lack of compliance will increase the time required for dental correction and increase the chance of complications.

Test preparation

Sometimes, teeth alignment problems arise as children grow and reach puberty. However, these problems become more apparent when the permanent teeth begin to recede from the gums. Your dentist may suggest waiting until you have most of your teeth before getting braces. Most children get braces between the ages of eight and fourteen, when the bones in their face are still growing, and it is easier for their teeth to move.

The preparation of fillet usually includes:

Oral exam: Your best dentist in Jaipur does a thorough examination of your teeth, jaws and mouth.

He will obtain a series of X-rays to see the condition of your teeth. The most common is the bird's eye X-ray which shows all the upper and lower teeth in bite position and any teeth still developing in the gap between the jaws. Special head X-rays can additionally help confirm the dimensions, position and relationship of the jaws with the teeth. These 3D X-rays provide a better picture of the condition of your teeth.

Plaster models: You may be asked to bite off a soft material that remains on your teeth for several minutes to make an impression. A plaster model (dental cast) is made from this impression, and the dentist assesses your bite. In some cases, this dental cast may be scanned into a digital format for additional analysis or treatment selection.

Possible tooth extraction: If your mouth is overcrowded, there may be a restricted or no area within the jawbone for all of your teeth. Your dentist may suggest removing one or more permanent teeth to make room so that the misaligned teeth can be accommodated in an aesthetic and functional manner. This allows the teeth to fit better.

Other procedures: In severe cases, where mere movement of the teeth cannot correct a bite that is substantially out of alignment, jaw surgery is required along with orthodontics.

After your dentist evaluates your teeth and jaws, he or she customizes a treatment plan for you. This usually involves using mounted braces.

What to expect

The components commonly found in fixed dental braces are:

Plaque is attached to the surfaces of the teeth. Or they will be attached to your back teeth, hiding them from view. However, this makes them a bit difficult to access. Modern metal brackets are smaller and not as noticeable.

Ring-like bands surround the molar teeth. Before banding, the area is prepared by inserting small rubber bands (spacers) between the molar teeth. The sections of these bands are measured and manufactured from chrome steel or metal elements. A buccal tube attached to the band of the last molar holds the top of the connecting wire in place.

A flexible wire (archwire) that connects all brackets and bands. The archwire controls the movement of the teeth in the mouth.

Why should I replace lost teeth?

One reason for this is your appearance. Another reason is that the gap left by the fallen tooth can mean that there is more pressure on the teeth on either side. A gap can also mean that your 'bite' is affected, as the tooth in front of the gap can bend and change the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can cause food debris to build up in the gap, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

How is a fallen tooth replaced?

It depends on the number of teeth lost and their position in the mouth. The condition of the remaining teeth in your mouth also influences the decision.

There are three main methods of replacing lost teeth. The first is to replace with a removable denture (or teeth) – this is called a partial denture. The second is to replace it with a fixed bridge. Bridges are often used when there are few teeth to replace, or when missing teeth are on only one side of the mouth. The third way is to do this by using dental 'implantations'. This is where the artificial root is placed in the jawbone and the crown or bridge is placed over it. See our booklet 'Tell me about dental implants'.