If you’re planning on getting braces, here are some of the most common orthodontic questions, answered:
Why Would One Consider Treatment for Teeth Alignment?
One of the most common braces FAQs is why would one consider treatment for teeth alignment?
The chief objective of orthodontic treatment is to improve aesthetics. Orthodontic treatment will also help improve the health and function of your mouth and related structures. For instance, correcting poor tooth positioning can alleviate mandibular joint pain, prevent injury to the gum tissues, and reduce the risk of dental decay or gum disease. It can also create the necessary space for other dental treatments, such as crowns, bridges, and implants, to be carried out effectively.
What Are Braces?
Braces are devices that are attached to straighten the teeth. The braces, usually made of metal or ceramic, will be temporarily cemented to your teeth. Wires and elastics are used to move crooked teeth into better positions. Sometimes, plastic plates with wire springs are used to move teeth, especially for young children.
Is Wearing Braces Painful?
One of the most common orthodontic questions is if wearing braces is painful. Note that different people have different pain thresholds. In other words, their tolerance level differs. Most individuals adjust to the presence of ‘braces’ or ‘bands’ within a few days. A certain degree of discomfort is expected soon after braces are inserted and after their tightening or adjustment. This usually lasts 2 to 3 days.
Braces Tips: What Is The Best Age To Start Orthodontic Treatment?
For most children the best time to start orthodontic treatment is just before or immediately after all the permanent teeth (excluding the third molars) erupt, as this would coincide with harnessing the child’s maximum growth activity. Maximum orthodontic response is seen at this stage, which is generally between the ages of 10 and 14.
For children with developmental problem of their teeth and jaws, treatment can be started as early as 7 or 8 years, with ‘functional therapy’. Functional therapy is a type of early orthodontic treatment that focuses on guiding and directing skeletal growth using appliances to encourage proper jaw development.
Is Tooth Extraction Necessary Before Braces for Teeth Alignment?
If your jaws are too small or your teeth too large, your orthodontist may select some teeth to be taken out to create space to guide the rest of the teeth into a better alignment. Sometimes, if the crowding is mild, extractions can be avoided. Alternatively, selective teeth may be shaved on their sides to create space to align them.
Why Are Some Braces Removable, While Others Are Not?
Orthodontic treatment can be carried out using appliances that can be removed (removable appliance therapy) or using ‘brackets and bands’ cemented onto the teeth. The latter are not removed until treatment is complete. This form of treatment is called ‘fixed therapy’. Removable appliance therapy allows for more flexibility and ease of cleaning, while fixed therapy is often more effective for complex cases and less dependent on patient compliance.
An orthodontist is a trained specialist who will carefully evaluate your case and decide on the best treatment plan for you. This personalized approach ensures that your orthodontic journey is tailored to your specific needs and goals, giving you the confidence that you’re in good hands.
Is It All Right To Wear A Removable Appliance Only At Night?
No
The appliance must be worn full time. Living bone has slight elastic gravity, any movement of the teeth achieved during the night will be reversed during the day, and the teeth will return to their original position.
Teeth need to be “pushed” continuously to their desired position.
After the teeth have been moved to a suitable position, you will need to continue wearing an appliance or retainer. This ‘retaining appliance’ will be worn until the orthodontist feels the teeth are stable in their new position and minimise the risk of relapse.
Will Wearing Braces Make Some Activities Difficult?
Wearing braces will not significantly impact your daily activities, including sports. Your orthodontist can provide you with a mouthguard or adjust the design of your braces to ensure you can continue your sports activities comfortably and safely. Not to worry, wearing braces can be a manageable and stress-free experience.
Dental Braces Care: Do Braces Break Easily?
Braces are meant to be taken out eventually at the end of treatment, therefore they are glued on with temporary glue. They will come off or loosen if you purposely bite hard on them. It is important to be responsible and take care of your braces and follow instructions on diet.
If an appliance breaks or comes loose, it must be repaired quickly, as broken or distorted wires will delay treatment and may cause injury. You should contact your orthodontist immediately to arrange a repair.
Will Braces Cause Tooth Decay?
Braces cannot damage teeth. Dental decay is not caused by the braces. It is the plaque that is allowed to accumulate daily around the braces with poor oral hygiene that causes decay.
Excellent oral hygiene and plaque removal are essential, particularly with braces that are cemented to the teeth. Food and plaque will collect on these, and if this is not removed by brushing, white spot lesions (decalcification) on the surfaces of the teeth can result.
How Long Does It Take For Orthodontic Treatment To Be Completed?
Another common orthodontic question includes the time it takes for the treatment to complete.
The treatment duration depends on several factors, such as:
- The severity of the malalignment
- The type of appliance used
- The age at which treatment commenced (it generally takes a little longer in adults)
- The condition of the supporting tissues ( Gums and Bone )
- The discipline and compliance of the patient in looking after the braces
It would take, on average, about 1.5 years for orthodontic treatment to be completed. For treatment to be effective, patient cooperation is absolutely essential. Regular visits to the dentist must be made to enable adjustment of the braces.
Will the Results of the Teeth Alignment Treatment Last?
All teeth on living bones will move throughout life. Teeth can rebound to their original positions after orthodontic treatment. This is called a relapse. Conditions that were originally very severe and treated with non-extraction therapy have a higher tendency to relapse. After tooth movement is complete, retainers are placed in to minimise relapse. Cooperation in wearing these is vital.
How Often Do I Have To See My Orthodontist?
Braces must be adjusted regularly to ensure teeth continue moving in the desired direction. Wire and elastics may be changed, and plates trimmed. Progress must also be monitored. Regular attendance will ensure that treatment is completed in the minimum time. The interval between visits can vary from 4-8 weeks depending on the phase of the treatment.
Key Takeaways
Braces, a standard orthodontic device, can straighten teeth for better appearance and health. It can cause initial discomfort but is generally tolerable. The ideal age for orthodontic treatment is between 10 and 14 when permanent teeth erupt, and growth is maximal. Treatment duration varies based on complexity and patient cooperation, averaging about 1.5 years. Teeth may require extraction in some cases, and retainers are often needed post-treatment to prevent relapse. Regular orthodontic visits are crucial for adjustments and monitoring progress.
References:
https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/dental-braces
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/how-to-care-for-your-teeth-when-you-have-braces
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24285-orthodontics
