How Dental Braces Work in Orthodontic Dentistry
Orthodontics is a major specialty in dentistry that caters to the functional and aesthetic condition of teeth. Ideally, the goal of orthodontics is to achieve proper bites and beautiful dentitions in patients’ teeth. An orthodontist will pull out different oral braces to ensure that every patient gets the best out of their treatment.
Do You ever struggle with the alignment of your teeth? Perhaps the key to unlocking your beautiful smile lies in orthodontic treatment in Austin. Read in to learn more about braces used in orthodontics.
What Are Dental Braces?
They are oral devices that are used in orthodontic treatment near you for the realignment of malpositioned teeth. They are usually customized by an orthodontist near you, to properly align your teeth for a pleasing smile.
Many times, braces have been identified as the traditional braces that feature a metal bracket and a wire. This has been true over the years. However, modern materials and technologies have improved orthodontic treatment in Austin, TX giving patients more alternatives to suit their needs and preferences.
How Do Dental Braces Work?
The process of realigning teeth is not as simple as it sounds. The idea is to reposition teeth, right from the roots. This takes a lot of time and consistency. The idea is to shift the crown of the teeth and then the roots, gradually and progressively.
Depending on the type of braces you get, this process may take longer or not. Another affecting factor is the complexity of your situation. A more complex malpositioning will take longer to treat than a mild case. The whole treatment banks on the concept of bone regeneration, where new bone tissue will be generated to support your teeth in the new position.
For one, the forced pressure is required. The pressure has to be exerted on the target teeth. However, the pressure is controlled, so that the teeth do not loosen and fall off.
Other than that, consistency is key. The pressure applied to your teeth needs to be consistent over a certain period. Your orthodontist will ensure this by coming up with a treatment plan that determines how long your treatment will last.
Further, regular adjustment is necessary. The first fit of dental braces is not the last. Every couple of weeks, your dentist will adjust your dental braces for a tighter fit. This will ensure that the shifting of your teeth is not only gradual but continual.
Variety of Dental Braces Used In Orthodontics
There are two main categories of braces in orthodontics:
- Traditional metal braces – they are the typical conventional braces. They come with a metal bracket and wires that are adjusted.
- Clear teeth aligners – they are much different, featuring a transparent, plastic-like material. Clear aligners do not come with metal brackets or wires to adjust. Rather, adjustment happens by getting a new set of clear aligners. A good example of such a type is Invisalign®.
Who Needs Dental Braces?
For a long time now, braces have been popular among children and teenagers. At that age, no one finds it strange to have wires crossing over their teeth. However today, even adults benefit from dental braces. With a couple of adjustments in the conspicuity of the races, anyone can have them.
If you are having a hard time acknowledging that you need braces, here are some dental problems that can be treated with these dental appliances:
- Crowded mouth – this is characteristic of too many teeth in the mouth for the amount of space available. It can also be explained by teeth that overlap on each other because they are too big for the space on the jawbone.
- Gaps between teeth – these gaps do not exist because you have lost teeth, but rather because of the spacing of your teeth in the jawbone.
- Improper bite – this oral problem comes in many forms. Some patients have an overbite, some an underbite, and others a crossbite. These problems put unnecessary stress on your jawbone, which presents many other oral problems. Correcting how your teeth sit in your jawbone can tremendously influence how your mouth functions.