Braces Benefits | Before And After Smiles | FAQ About Braces
Choosing An Orthodontist
| Getting Started | What To Expect
New Techniques | Preserving Your Smile | First Aid
Better appearance of teeth, smile and face
Improved self-esteem, confidence and feeling of acceptance
A more even bite
Easier to clean teeth
Better jaw alignment and function
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces are appliances or devices used to make these corrections.
Are braces necessary?
No. They are elective but people seldom grow out of the more severe problems.
What are the early warning signs of a bad bite?
When should I look for the early warning signs?
It is most important to examine your child's teeth as the permanent teeth grow in. Although children mature at different rates, there are some averages for permanent tooth arrival.
Will additional jaw growth allow self correction of crowded teeth visible in a 8 year old?
No. The space available for the front teeth does not increase after the permanent 6 year molars erupt. In most people, the space available for the front teeth decreases with increasing age.
What causes crooked teeth?
Heredity is the main cause although local factors such as finger sucking, high cavity rate, gum disease, trauma and premature loss of baby teeth can also contribute to a bad bite. .
Why should I have my teeth straightened?
Poorly arranged teeth can break easily and can trap food particles that cause tooth decay and gum disease. They can also lead to poor chewing and digestion which can be bad for your overall health. Finally, poorly arranged teeth detract from your smile which is one of the more important features of your face.
How do braces straighten crooked teeth?
Braces use steady, gentle pressure over time to move teeth into their proper positions. They don't look like they're doing much just sitting there. but in fact, every moment or your orthodontic treatment, there's something happening in your mouth. Something good for you. The brackets we place on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them, are the two main components.The bracket is a piece of specially shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. Then we bend the archwire to reflect your 'ideal" bite-what we want you to look like after treatment. The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to actually move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side gives way. The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind. It may look like nothing is happening--but we're making a new smile here. Thanks to new materials and procedures, all this happens much quicker than ever before. It's kind of an engineering feat.
What do rubber bands do?
Rubber bands or elastics contribute a lot to straighter teeth. They are marvels of physics. Attached to your braces, elastics exert the energy force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. It's important to wear your elastics all the time and change them every day so the force is constant which the teeth like. As for bouncing an elastic off someone across the room, it will happen (don't worry, your aim will improve).
Will braces correct TMD or jaw joint problems?
Braces may or may not improve jaw joint problems. More conservative approaches should be tried first.
How many people receive orthodontic care?
Approximately 4 million people are in braces in the US at any one time.
Can you be too old for braces?
No. If the bone and gum tissue around the teeth are healthy, age is not a factor. About 20% of orthodontic patients are adults.
Will orthodontics change my lifestyle?
You'll have to give up extremely hard and sticky foods including gum. These foods can get caught on the braces and pull the braces off. And you'll have to spend a few extra minutes cleaning your braces after meals. But, for the most part, you'll find braces don't cramp your style. You'll still have fun. You'll still be able to sing, play your musical instrument, smile, play sports and of course, kiss.
Is orthodontic care expensive?
Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. Fees for an initial consultation are minimal. Financing is usually available. Many insurance plans now include orthodontics. Well timed orthodontic treatment to correct a problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later.
When is the best time to schedule an initial consultation?
Early consultation allows the orthodontist to determine the optimum time for treatment to begin. In some cases, satisfactory results are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. Seven years old is a good rule of thumb for a child unless you see a noticeable problem earlier. Early examination often permits maximum improvement with the least amount of time and expense.
Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth and sometimes faces are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment; therefore, it is very important that the treatment be done properly.
Do you need a referral from your family dentist to see an orthodontist?
You don't need a referral from your family dentist unless you are in a managed care plan with a "gatekeeper" primary care dentist. Word of mouth recommendations from friends and families of existing patients is often the primary way orthodontists meet new patients. Spread the word if you like your orthodontist!
Personal recommendation from a friend or your family
dentist.
An orthodontist located geographically close to your
home, school or employer.
An orthodontist who is a Member of the South African
Society of Orthodontists. Their members are required to have a
minimum of three years of full time additional university
training exclusively in orthodontics after receiving their dental
degree. This association will furnish a list of members in your
area, or click here
Your initial consultation will include a complete
review of your past medical and dental history.
You will be asked what you want to change about your
smile and what questions do you have about braces.
Your orthodontist will do a detailed examination of
your face, jaws and teeth.
Your orthodontist will explain any tests (x-rays,
photos and impressions of the teeth) necessary to plan treatment.
Your orthodontist will try to answer the following
questions: Can the problem be corrected? How much will it cost?
How long will it take? When should it begin? What kind of
appliance or device will be used? What does the patient do for
treatment to succeed? What are the pros and cons of orthodontic
care?
Your orthodontist will tailor treatment for you.
Your orthodontist will indicate any other dental
care necessary before starting braces treatment.
Experiences similar to friends who have worn braces.
Mutual support from your true friends and your
orthodontist's helpers
Coordination of your care between your family
dentist and orthodontist
Special instruction on how to clean your teeth with
braces and often a prescription for a fluoride mouth rinse to
protect the tooth surfaces.
Adjustment of your braces approximately every 4-12
weeks.
Mild tooth soreness during the first week in braces
and after adjustment office visits.
A treatment time of 6-36 months depending on the
complexity of treatment.
A period of retainer wear will follow removal of
your braces
A discussion of the effect of wisdom teeth on the
orthodontic result
The degree of success is almost always a reflection
of a person's cooperation during treatment and retention. Active
patient participation is always essential for success.
Techniques: Space age low force wires that remember their
original shape allowing teeth to move faster without kinking.
Clear tooth colored braces and gold braces.
Braces glued to teeth with adhesives that contain
cavity fighting fluoride
Computer video imaging which allows you to see a
video picture prediction of your possible treatment result
Combined treatment of orthodontics and surgery for
abnormalities that are beyond the capabilities of orthodontics
alone
Floss once a day
Brush after meals with a fluoride toothpaste
Minimize foods loaded with sugar which is a key
ingredient in white spot and cavity formation
Have your teeth examined and professionally cleaned
by your family dentist at least once a year
Wear a mouth guard during contact sports
Wear your retainer after your braces are removed to
keep your teeth from moving out of alignment.
If a rubber spacer fall out, take two pieces of
dental floss and insert them through the spacer. Then pull on
both pieces of floss to stretch the spacer and slide the spacer
back and forth between the two teeth where it belongs. When the
bottom half of the spacer slips under the tight spot between the
teeth, release and remove the floss and the spacer should now be
back in place.
If a wire is causing irritation. try pushing the
wire away from the area being irritated using the eraser end of a
pencil or the blunt side of a spoon. If the wire cannot be tucked
in, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton
ball, or a piece of sugarless gum, until you can see your
orthodontist for a adjustment. Cutting the wire should only be
done as a last resort if professional help is unavailable.
If your teeth are sore after a monthly visit at your
orthodontist, take aspirin, tylenol or ibuprofin unless you are
allergic to them. Rinsing your mouth with a teaspoon of salt
dissolved in a glass of warm water can also be soothing. If you
teeth get sore suddenly in the middle of the month, give your
orthodontist a call because it is unusual for the teeth to get
sore several weeks after your last office visit.
If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental
floss or a proxy brush to dislodge the food. It sometimes helps
to tie a small knot in the middle of the floss and then slide the
floss back and forth through the food mass.
If a piece of your appliance breaks, save the piece
and call your orthodontist to schedule a repair visit.
If you swallow a piece of your appliances, try to
remain calm. A swallowed piece will usually go either into the
stomach or the lungs. Most of the time it will go in the stomach
and pass out of the body in a bowel movement. However, if
difficulty breathing is experienced, you should seek immediate
medical attention. X-rays will be taken to determine the position
of the swallowed piece and your physicians will counsel you on
your options concerning retrieval of the stray piece.
If a retainer cracks, bring it to your orthodontist
for a professional repair.
If a permanent tooth get loose, call your
orthodontist to discuss the movement. A little movement is normal
when wearing braces, but if a tooth can be pushed upward towards
the gums with just finger pressure, that is unusual.
American Association Of
Orthodontists
Braces today, your smile will follow!