Are you thinking of having braces and making the perfect smile?
Braces have long been the go-to solution for correcting misaligned teeth and achieving that perfect smile. Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, understanding how dental braces work can help you make an informed decision about your orthodontic treatment.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about dental braces, from what they are to how they work and what you can expect during the treatment process.
What Are Dental Braces?
Dental braces are orthodontic appliances designed to align teeth, fix bite irregularities, and enhance overall oral health. They comprise brackets, wires, and bands that collaboratively apply gentle pressure over time to shift teeth into their proper positions. Braces can address a variety of dental problems, including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Types of Dental Braces
There are mainly 4 types of braces available, each with its own set of benefits:
1. Traditional Metal Braces:
Made of high-grade stainless steel, these braces are the most common and effective type. They consist of metal brackets attached to each tooth and connected by a metal wire.
2. Ceramic Braces:
These braces function similarly to metal braces but use clear or tooth-coloured brackets that blend in with your teeth, making them less noticeable.
3. Lingual Braces:
Placed on the back of the teeth, lingual braces are hidden from view. They are custom-made for each patient but can be more challenging to clean and adjust.
4. Clear Aligners:
Invisalign is a popular brand of clear aligners that are removable and nearly invisible. They are suitable for mild to moderate dental issues and offer more flexibility compared to traditional braces.
How Do Dental Braces Work?
The primary mechanism behind dental braces is the application of constant, gentle pressure over time to gradually shift teeth into their correct positions. This process can take several months or even years, depending on the severity of the dental issues being addressed. To better understand how braces work, let’s break down the process step by step:
1. Initial Consultation and Custom Treatment Plan
Before starting any orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will conduct a thorough assessment. This typically includes a complete oral examination, X-rays, photographs, and impressions or digital scans of your teeth. Based on this information, your orthodontist will create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will outline the type of braces that are most suitable for your situation, the duration of treatment, and the estimated outcomes.
2. Placement of Braces
The first step in actually applying braces involves attaching brackets to the front of your teeth. These small metal or ceramic squares are glued to each tooth using a dental adhesive. The brackets serve as anchors for the wires that will guide the teeth into position. For certain types of braces, such as lingual braces, the brackets are placed on the back of the teeth, hidden from view.
3. The Role of the Archwire
After the brackets are secured, a thin, flexible metal wire called an archwire is threaded through each bracket. The archwire connects all the brackets and acts as the main guide to move your teeth. The wire is adjusted over time to apply continuous pressure on the teeth, helping them move into their correct alignment.
4. Applying Pressure and Tooth Movement
The core principle behind braces is constant, gentle pressure. This pressure is applied by the archwire, which is often tied into place with small rubber bands or ligatures. As the archwire exerts pressure on the teeth, the bone surrounding the teeth begins to break down and reorganise, allowing the teeth to shift position. This process is known as bone remodelling, and it’s the key to how braces move your teeth.
- Compression Side: On one side of the tooth, pressure causes the bone to break down, making room for the tooth to shift.
- Tension Side: On the opposite side of the tooth, new bone forms as the tooth moves into its new position.
Over time, the bone in the jaw will adapt to the new positions of the teeth, solidifying their new alignment. It’s important to note that this gradual movement is a delicate process and requires patience, which is why braces typically take 18 months to 3 years to achieve the desired results.
5. Adjustments and Fine-Tuning
Braces require periodic adjustments to continue moving the teeth in the right direction. These adjustments typically happen every 4-6 weeks and involve the orthodontist tightening or replacing the archwire, adjusting the rubber bands, or adding springs and other attachments. Each time your braces are adjusted, you may experience some mild discomfort as the wire is tightened, but this is a normal part of the treatment process.
During these adjustments, your orthodontist will monitor how your teeth are moving and ensure that everything is progressing according to plan. This ongoing fine-tuning is essential for achieving the best possible result.
6. The Role of Additional Appliances
In some cases, additional orthodontic appliances may be used alongside braces to address specific issues. These could include:
- Elastics (Rubber Bands):
These are used to correct bite issues such as overbites, underbites, or crossbites. The elastics apply extra pressure between the upper and lower teeth, helping them align more precisely.
- Palatal Expander:
This device is used to widen the upper jaw if it is too narrow. It is typically used in younger patients and can make room for teeth to come into place.
- Headgear:
Rarely used today, headgear can be worn to help shift the position of the teeth or jaw, especially for more severe cases.
These extra appliances can be uncomfortable, but they play a crucial role in ensuring that treatment is effective and that your teeth and jaws align properly.
Bonus Content: Can Braces Change Your Jawline?
7. The Retention Phase
Once the braces have successfully moved your teeth into their final positions, the braces are removed. However, the work doesn’t end there. Teeth have a natural tendency to move back to their original positions, a phenomenon called relapse. To prevent this, your orthodontist will give you a retainer. A retainer is a custom-made appliance that helps keep your teeth in their new positions while the surrounding bone stabilises. Depending on your orthodontist’s recommendation, you may need to wear the retainer full-time initially, gradually transitioning to wearing it only at night.
The retention phase can last for several months to years, depending on the complexity of your treatment. During this time, it’s important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions and wear your retainer as advised to maintain the results of your treatment.
Continuous Pressure, Consistent Results
The key to understanding how braces work is realising that it’s the continuous, gentle pressure over time that causes teeth to move. This process doesn’t happen overnight and requires consistency and patience. As the braces apply pressure to move the teeth, new bone forms around them to maintain their new position. The entire process is slow, steady, and gradual, but with time, it leads to a perfectly aligned set of teeth.
While the mechanics behind braces are simple in principle, they require precise adjustments and careful management by your orthodontist to ensure that everything moves as planned. The combination of the right treatment plan, consistent follow-up visits, and diligent care at home will lead you to a beautiful, healthy smile.
Consult Us at Dentists at Surrey Hills
As a trusted dentist in Surrey Hills, VIC, we are dedicated to providing personalised, high-quality dental care to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. If you’re considering braces or any other orthodontic treatment, our experienced team is here to guide you through the process. We offer a comprehensive consultation where we will assess your unique dental needs, discuss your goals, and recommend the best treatment options suited to your lifestyle.
Don’t wait any longer to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. If you are searching for a good orthodontist in Surrey Hills, contact us today to schedule your consultation.
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