Orthodontics (Braces)

Orthodontics is the dental practice that involves the correction of teeth, jaw and bite abnormalities. With orthodontic work many problems can be fixed including crooked and crowded teeth, over and under bites, and misaligned jaw positions. Such problems are normally caused by heredity, accidents, and sucking the thumb for an extended period of time.

There is no maximum or minimum age that a person can receive orthodontics, but generally patients between the ages of 10 and 14 are the ideal candidates. In some cases, patients will not need or want orthodontic work until adulthood. Treatment for adults will take slightly longer than it would for children, as their facial bones are already finished growing. Most orthodontic work will take approximately 1-3 years to complete.

In order to establish which appliance would be best suited for your particular problem, your dentist or orthodontist will ask for your medical and dental history, will take plaster moulds of your teeth, and will take photos and x-rays. Then, using this information they will be able to determine the proper appliance. There are a number of different appliances that could be used including head gear, retainers, and several different types of braces.

Patients will likely feel some pain and discomfort for the first couple of days after they get their braces on. Pain can be decreased by using a common pain killer. Tenderness will diminish as the patient’s teeth become accustomed to the appliance.

Once the appliance is in place, you will need to visit your dentist periodically in order to have the appliance tightened. The tightening will ensure that your teeth move efficiently. Treatment time for orthodontic care will vary from patient to patient depending on how much change was needed. Patients can speed up the process by obeying the instructions of their dentists.

In the case of braces, once the braces have been taken off the dentist will require you to wear a retainer for the first few months. Wearing a retainer will make sure that your teeth do not shift back to their original position.

Many people feel hesitant about wearing braces because they are afraid of how they are going to look. Nowadays, braces are a lot less visible and can even be a color close to the shade of your teeth. Some brackets are even placed on the back of your teeth instead of the front! Patients today have a lot less to worry about in comparison to those of the past.

For more information about orthodontics, contact a dentist in your area.