Dental braces are dental appliances that help correct teeth alignment and jaw symmetry painlessly to provide a beautiful and perfect smile. Consult the best orthodontists near you for further details regarding dental braces treatment and cost.
Dental braces are fixed orthodontic appliances that help correct dental malocclusion defects such as proclined teeth, overjet, overbite, etc. Depending on the patient’s needs, budget, aesthetic priorities, etc., there are different types of implants that a patient can choose from. Metallic braces are usually the standard but nowadays, aesthetic braces such as lingual braces and ceramic braces have now become the standard.
Generally, dental braces treatment lasts for 12-24 months. During this time, the patient has to visit the orthodontist 1-2 times a month for braces adjustment. Dental braces can correct misalignment even for patients with severe crowding or tooth gaps.
Max Health has advanced dental clinics and orthodontists that are proficient in providing dental braces treatment with successful long-term results. We provide cost-effective treatment for tooth misalignment and malocclusion correction. Book an appointment with us to avail dental braces treatment at the best dental clinics near you.
Most people who visit a dental surgeon or orthodontic surgeon for braces treatment are already aware that they have dental misalignment and are prepared to start the treatment straight away. Dental braces treatment occurs in stages.
The first stage is consultation, during which the dentist evaluates the dental condition of the patient and treats any cavities or gum diseases that are present. Once that is done, they will perform radiographic examinations like lateral cephalogram, OPG, bitewing and occlusal x-ray, etc., to determine the amount of correction required. If the patient requires jaw surgery like jaw expansion, then the orthodontist integrates that into the treatment plan.
Then, the brackets and jaw spacers are fitted into the mouth. The jaw spacers help make spaces between the teeth for wires and elastics. After the wires are placed in the brackets, most patients are only required to visit once a month. The initial adjustment period for braces is around 3 weeks. Once the treatment is done, the patient will have to wear a removable retainer or get a fixed retainer to help preserve the results of the braces treatment.
Dental braces treatment is often associated with extreme life and dietary adjustments. If you are getting dental braces treatment, you will not be able to eat a large variety of foods such as sticky, chewy, crunchy, fried, and oily foods. Moreover, you need to maintain exemplary oral hygiene to prevent dental cavities and gum disease during or after the treatment.
With braces, you need a special toothbrush and learn how to brush around the braces and gum line. You also need to brush your teeth every time you eat a meal or snack. You may have difficulty kissing someone and you or your partner may end up with a split lip. Moreover, all oral sex is off-limits with dental braces.
Once the treatment is done, your brackets will be r emoved, and the bonding agent will be removed. The dentist will clean and polish your teeth and treat any gum issues that may be present. You may have mild sensitivity in your teeth for 2-3 weeks but it will abate in a little while.
If you are getting removable retainers, you will need to wear those for the recommended amount of time. Usually, patients are recommended to wear the retainers 24 hours a day for the first two months and wear them at nighttime after that for at least 6-12 months. However, if you get fixed retainers, then you should be careful about maintaining hygiene around them and make sure they do not break.
Dental braces are elective and aesthetic treatments and are usually only performed if the patient desires them. Common dental or jaw issues dental braces can help treat are:
Benefits of dental braces include:
Jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, help correct jaw deformities and realigns the jaw to support orthodontic treatment. The biggest benefit of jaw realignment surgery is that it improves facial symmetry and appearance. It is only performed after jaw growth has been completed, i.e., after 14 to 16 years for women and 17 to 21 years for men.
Benefits of jaws surgery include:
Jaw surgery is usually performed internally and does not leave any facial scars. It is usually performed roughly 9-18 months after the start of the braces treatment so that the patient has undergone as much dental correction as possible before the surgery.
Maxillary Osteotomy (Upper Jaw): It is usually performed for patients with a significantly receded upper jaw who are exhibiting a crossbite or open bite, or in patients with a toothy or toothless smile.
Mandibular Osteotomy (Lower Jaw): Similar to maxillary surgery, a mandibular osteotomy is performed for a significantly receded lower jaw in patients with a significant overjet, overbite, or underbite where just orthodontic treatment is not enough for satisfactory results.
Genioplasty (Chin): A genioplasty is performed for a severely receded lower jaw where just jaw correction is not sufficient, for example receding chins, chin misalignment, or chin excess.
Pretty much all braces are effective in correcting dental misalignment for a perfect smile. The choice of braces usually depends on the patient’s budget and aesthetic needs. Metal braces are usually the most affordable with the least aesthetic types of braces while aligners are aesthetic but cost almost double that of metal braces.
Tooth extraction for orthodontic treatment, i.e., orthodontic extraction, is only performed if there is a discrepancy between tooth size and jaw space. If you don’t have adequate space on your jaw for the dentist to align your teeth properly, then they may remove some teeth t create more space. Orthodontic extraction is usually performed for patients with overcrowding, supernumerary teeth, etc. The first premolar is generally extracted.
The change in your face after orthodontic correction depends on how much tooth and jaw misalignment you have and whether your face is asymmetrical. By correcting teeth and jaw alignment, orthodontic treatment makes a face more symmetrical.
You will have minor pain and soreness in your gums during the treatment, especially after your orthodontic appointments as that’s when your braces are tightened to encourage more movement. However, the discomfort is completely manageable through oral massages and topical ointments.
No, once used braces can not be reused for another patient, but if your brackets fall off during the treatment, they can be bonded to the tooth structure again, as they are molded according to the patient’s dental surfaces.
Recovery from dental braces is usually covered under the last two stages of the treatment- debanding stage and retainer stage. The braces are removed and patient’s teeth are cleaned and polished. Any developing caries and gum diseases are treated simultaneously. You will feel mild gum sensitivity for a little 1-2 weeks but it will abate on its own and you will be left with a beautiful perfect smile. Finally, retainers are either fixed or provided.
For fixed retainers, you need to maintain oral hygiene and visit a dentist every 6-8 months to make sure they are not broken. For removable retainer appliances, then you need to be compliant about wearing them as recommended by your orthodontist. Consult your dentist immediately if your appliance is broken or doesn’t fit.
Traditional metal braces are fixed orthodontic appliances that help correct dental misalignment. Since metal is more strong, ductile, and flexible, metal braces are thinner and sleeker than ceramic braces and take up less space in the oral cavity. They are also regarded as the most effective type of braces. There are two distinct disadvantages of metal braces- poor aesthetic appearance and oral injury. Metal brackets have sharp edges that can snag on the cheek and lips and cause small injuries, especially in the first 1-2 weeks after braces application.
Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces in almost all aspects, i.e., their brackets are made of ceramic instead of metal. They are less noticeable than metal braces and are a great cost-effective option for people looking for a more aesthetic alternative to metal braces. However, one distinct disadvantage of ceramic braces is that they are significantly larger than metal braces. They take up more space in the oral cavity and may cause a little more gum sensitivity. They are also more likely to break than metal braces. Also, their aesthetic appearance can be diminished if they get stained.
Lingual braces are the most aesthetic type of braces. While they are usually made of traditional metal, since they are attached to the inside of the teeth, they are virtually invisible. They are also almost as efficient as traditional metal braces in aligning teeth. The most significant disadvantage of lingual braces over others is that they can result in lisping, especially for the first few weeks, but as you get more used to them, the lisp will disappear. They are also significantly more expensive than metal and ceramic braces. Another problem that can occur with lingual braces is increased tongue sensitivity as the edges of the brackets lie directly against the tongue.
Clear aligners or invisible braces are removable orthodontic appliances that help provide precise tooth re-alignment. They comprise a set of clear dental trays that settle over the teeth and encourage their movement about 1-2 mm with each tray. After lingual aligners, they are the most aesthetic option for orthodontic treatment. One big advantage of aligners is that they can be removed while brushing and flossing, so they help maintain excellent dental hygiene. Moreover, they have smooth edges that do not irritate or injure oral tissues.
