Braces?
Braces used in dentistry are appliances which are used to align teeth and guide them back to the corrected position. They are usually made of wires, brackets and bands. They help to correct irregular positioning of the teeth, jaw correction and improves chewing and smile aesthetics. You should visit a dentist for more guidance regarding the braces you can use to improve your smile.
Braces used for?
The most important reason for getting braces is to improve your facial appearance and build confidence. Braces can be used in a lot of situations like open bite, jaw structure improvement, crossbite.
- One of the most important symptoms which indicates the requirement of an rct is toothache. Your pain can be from mild to severe. If it’s a mild pain, please visit a dentist immediately to prevent further damage.
- Another important symptom is sensitivity. If you have pain while eating hot or cold food, there is a chance you might need a rct.
- Gum diseases, swelling in the gum also indicates the requirement of an rct.
Adult dentition?
Adult dentition or permanent teeth replaces primary teeth and helps in speech, digestion, and appearance. During this time, young adults may face a lot of problems like
- Crowding or haphazardly placed teeth which can lead to poor oral hygiene and causes caries.
- Improper bite that affects mastication.
- Teeth which are crooked in appearance and causes periodontal problems like bleeding gums, bad odor or premature tooth mobility.
- Improper alignment of teeth also leads to calculus deposition.
- Proclined teeth causes a convex profile.
- Spacing between the teeth can cause speech problems.
Mixed dentition?
Mixed dentition is a stage where the oral cavity has both primary and permanent teeth. Wearing braces in this stage cures a lot of problems like
- Disorders affecting the growth of jaws which can be corrected in this stage in a non-invasive manner.
- Crooked teeth can be repaired, it is advisable to do this at an early stage to prevent damage to a child’s psychology
Right time for braces?
Orthodontic treatment can be started as early as 7 years of age. There is no upper limit to braces when it comes to age of treatment.
What is the procedure involved in denture placement?
Step 1
The dentist takes the impression of the jaws and analyzes the spaces and their relationship with various oral tissues.
Step 2
Wax models are made to check the fitting, various relations are figured out and patients are asked regarding the aesthetic concerns like color of teeth and fit of the mouth.
Step 4
Final denture is fabricated.
Necessary adjustments are done according to patient’s wishes.
Types of braces available?
Dentures should be well cared for to make them last long. Please follow the tips for better care of your dentures.
1. Metal conventional braces
These are the most traditional and common type of braces. They are small and comfortable to be used. They are usually tied with elastics which comes in various colors. These wires use body heat to move the teeth painlessly and quickly. There is no age limit as patients of all age can choose to use braces to improve crooked teeth.
2. Metal self-ligating braces
These are metal brackets with a shutter or lock system. They are more comfortable than conventional braces and are helpful to expand arches and minimizing the need for extraction.
3. Ceramic braces
These have clear brackets. They are aesthetically pleasing and blends naturally with your teeth. The shape and size are similar to metal braces. They are not as visible on teeth. However, they might require more care and protection compared to metal braces as they are brittle. They are usually used in upper teeth.
4. Lingual braces
They are heavier comparatively and are placed behind the teeth. They can be made with lots of metals including silver and gold. The individual bracket is customized using CAD/CAM designing. It is highly aesthetic and less visible to the naked eye.They however might cause mild speech difficulties during the treatment.
5. Aligners
These are made with medical grade plastic trays and do not require any braces or wire. They are invisible to the naked eye and are usually used in adults. They are highly comfortable and hygienic. They also hide diastemas or existing gaps between the teeth.
Post treatment care for braces
- Brush and floss twice a day with special orthodontic brushes to prevent food accumulation and periodontal problems.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups.
- Be patient. The teeth take time to adjust accordingly.
Do’s and Don’ts with Braces
DO’s
- Try to avoid sticky food like gum or caramel.
- Ask for a mouth guard.
- Consume healthier drinks low on sugar content.
- Brush after every meal
- Must visit dentist for follow-up.
- 6. Floss like a boss.
DON’Ts
- Don’t chew hard food or ice.
- Do not bite your fingernails.
- Don’t consume sugary drinks like soda or cold drinks.
Common myths about dentures
1. It is difficult to eat with dentures on
Completely false. There is no restriction to eat anything if you take proper care of the dentures and your oral tissues
2. Lifetime solution
Not true, they may loosen over time because of physiological bone loss and lead to reduction of function ability and aesthetic sense.
3. People will know that you are wearing dentures
In recent times, dentures are constructed to replicate natural teeth. They are given the same color, shape and position of natural teeth so it is very difficult to understand if you have dentures.
4. Can be repaired at home
No, you need a dentist to repair broken dentures. Homemade solutions do not work well and causes damage to gum and oral tissues, further aggravating the problem.
Frequently asked questions
We should remove dentures at night to let the gums recover. The food particles accumulated between the nooks and crevices are removed in this way and it prevents fungal infections like candidiasis.
It is not at all advisable to sleep with your dentures on. It leads to fungal infections or may affect your oral tissues and dislodge while sleeping, leading to suffocation and fatalities.
No, getting dentures are a painless procedure. Patients might take time getting used to them but after that, it usually runs smoothly.