Information AboutDental Brace |
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THE PROCEDURE The service of orthodontics may be delivered by either an orthodontist or general dentist. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in diagnosing and treating malocclusions, which are mis-alignments of the teeth, jaws, or both. Following dental school, an orthodontist completes 2-3 years of additional training resulting in a specialty certificate in orthodontics. The first step is a consultation. During the consultation, the doctor will review the patient's teeth visually and speak with the patient. If treatment is recommended and the patient is willing, a records appointment will be set where X-ray s, molds, and impressions of the teeth will be taken to determine the problem and proper course of action. Treatment time can vary from six months to six years depending on the type and intricacy of problem. Orthognathic Surgery may be required in extreme cases. Teeth to be braced will have an etchant applied to the surface to help the cement stick to the surface of the tooth. A Bracket will be applied with a dental grade cement, and then cured with a light until hardened completely. This process usually takes only a few seconds per tooth. If required, Orthodontic Spacer s may be inserted between the Molar s to make room for Molar Band s to be placed at a later date. Molar bands are required to ensure brackets will stick. Bands are also utlized when Dental Fillings or other dental work make securing a bracket to a tooth unfeasible. An Archwire will be threaded between the brackets and affixed with elastic or metal ligatures Ligatures . Archwires in the past had to be bent, shaped, and tightened frequently to achieve the desired results. Modern orthodontics makes frequent use of nickel-titanium archwires and temperature-sensitive materials. When cold, the archwire is limp and flexible, easily threaded between brackets of any configuration. Once heated to body temperature, the archwire will stiffen and seek to retain its shape, creating constant light force on the teeth. Elastic s are used to close open bites, shift the Midline , or create a stronger force to pull teeth or jaws in the desired direction. Brackets with hooks built in can be placed, or hooks can be created and affixed to the archwire to affix the elastic to. The placement and configuration of the elastics will depend on the course of treatment and the individual patient. Elastics come in different diameters, sizes, and strengths. In many cases there is not enough space in the mouth for all the teeth to fit properly. There are two main procedures done to make room in these cases. One is extraction: teeth are removed to create more space. The second is expansion: the palate or arch is made larger by using an Expander . Expanders can be used with both children and adults. However, since the bones of adults are already fused, expanding the palate is not possible without surgery to unfuse them. An expander can still be used on an adult without surgery, but to expand the arch, and not the palate. HOW BRACES WORK Teeth move through the use of force. The force applied by the archwire pushes the tooth in a particular direction and a stress is created within the periodontal ligament. The modification of the periodontal blood supply determines a biological response which leads to bone remodelling, where bone is created on one side by Osteoblast cells and resorbed on the other side by Osteoclasts . Two different kinds of bone resorption are possible: direct resorption, starting from the lining cells of the alveolar bone, and indirect or retrograde resorption, where osteoclasts start their activity in the neighbour bone marrow. Indirect resorption takes place when the periodontal ligament has become acellular (necrosis or hyalinization), for an excessive amount and duration of compressive stress. In this case the quantity of bone resorbed is larger than the quantity of newly formed bone (negative balance). In both cases bone remodelling leads to the dental movement, which is the goal of the orthodontic appliance. A tooth can move 1 mm per month, but there is high individual variability. Furthermore, orthodontic mechanics can be more or less efficient, thus explaining a wide range of responsiveness to orthodontic treatment. HISTORY Historians claim that two different men deserve the title of being called "the Father of Orthodontics." One man was Norman W. Kingsley, a dentist, writer, artist, and sculptor, who wrote his "Treatise on Oral Deformities" in 1880. What Kingsley wrote influenced the new dental science greatly. The second man who deserves credit was a dentist named J. N. Farrar, who wrote two volumes entitled "A treatise on the Irregularities of the teeth and their corrections". Farrar was very good at designing brace appliances, and he was the first to suggest the use of mild force at timed intervals to move teeth.kuyfouf TYPES OF BRACES Modern orthodontists can offer many types and varieties of braces:
For some patients Invisalign might be a viable alternative to braces. The Invisalign system uses a series of clear plastic trays to move teeth into their position over a length of time. This system is not recommended for more difficult cases, or for people whose last molars have yet to erupt. POST-TREATMENT Retainers are required to be worn once treatment with braces has been finalized. The orthodontist will recommend a retainer based on the patient's needs. If a patient does not wear the retainer as recommended, the teeth might move towards their original position (relapse). A Hawley Retainer is made of metal hooks that surround the teeth and are enclosed by an acrylic plate that is shaped to fit the patient's palate. An Essix Retainer is similar to Invisalign trays; it is a clear plastic tray that is form-fitted to the shape of the teeth and stays in place by suction. A Bonded Retainer is a wire that is permanently bonded to the lingual side of the teeth (usually the lower teeth only). COMPLICATIONS AND RISKS Plaque gets easily caught in the fine metalwork of braces. For this reason, it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing thoroughly when wearing braces to prevent tooth decay, decalcification or unpleasant colour changes to the teeth. There is a small chance of an allergic reaction to the latex rubber in elastics or the type of metal in braces. However, there are latex-free elastics and other types of metal that can be used instead. If you think that you are allergic to your braces you must tell your orthodontist or dentist immediately. Mouth Sores are usually triggered due to the oral obstructions from certain components of the braces. There are many products that can make you more comfortable, such as oral rinses, dental wax or dental silicone, and products that help heal Canker Sores . Braces can also be damaged if you are not careful. It is important to wear a Mouthguard to prevent breakage when playing sports. Certain sticky or hard foods and confectionaries, Gum and Toffee for example, should be avoided because they can damage braces. Constantly breaking braces can prolong orthodontic treatment. In the course of treatment, orthodontic brackets may occasionally pop off due to the force involved, or due to the adhesive cement weakening over time. Call your orthodontist for advice immediately if this happens. In most cases, the bracket must be replaced and re-applied to the tooth. When teeth move, the Arch Wire may get displaced, causing it to painfully poke into the back of your cheek. If this happens, try to cushion it with a glob of dental wax and call your orthodontist immediately to get it clipped. If you do not, it will result in a very painful mouth ulcer. TREATMENT TIME AND COST Typical cost of braces in the United States is about 5,000 USD, although in other countries, the price can be much lower. In CIS countries for example, the price is anywhere from 200 to 500 dollars per jaw. Typical treatment time is about two years, although it can vary from six months to six years, depending on the severity of the case, location, age, etc. In many Europe an countries orthodontic treatment is available for free to patients under 16 (or for treatment to start at 16, such as Ireland , as benefits for orthodontic treatment is provided under the government-run health care systems maintained by most Western European nations. BRACES IN POPULAR CULTURE Like Eyeglasses , braces used to be seen as "geeky". That stigma, however, is fading. For many Americans, even those without severe bite problems, braces are simply a part of growing up. Additionally, there are a growing number of adults (roughly 25% of brace patients are over 21) wearing braces to correct orthodontic issues. Celebrities who have been spotted wearing functional braces in adulthood include Tom Cruise , Gwen Stefani , Lil Bow Wow , Ashley Judd , Lee Ann Womack , Lila McCann , Linda Gray , Cher , Nancy Kissinger (wife of former Secretary Of State Henry Kissinger ), and Brett Favre . Wearing braces as a fashion statement, rather than from medical necessity, appears to catch on among the young in some parts of the world. In '', 27 January 2006 Dental braces carry the connotation of youth, and as such have become a sexual fetish for some people (see Dental Braces Fetishism ). Notable appearances of braces in popular culture include:
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