Braces
are an excellent way to get straighter teeth, which helps with
self-esteem, but it also makes teeth easier to clean, reducing the
risk of decay. If your child has misaligned teeth, you may already be
considering braces. Before you head to the orthodontist, however,
make sure you understand the most basic terms about braces.
1.
Bite
Bite
referred to how your teeth sit when your mouth is closed. With a
class one bite, the teeth fit perfectly together, which reduces the
risk of chipping and cracking when teeth hit. With a class two bite,
the upper back molars sit too far forward, which prevents the teeth
from hitting properly and creates an overbite.
A
class three bite is also known as an underbite. It happens when the
top back molars are too far backward. Your child can also have a
crossbite. With a cochrane crossbite, the upper back teeth fit inside
the bottom back teeth when the mouth is closed. An anterior crossbite
happens when the front upper teeth slide behind the bottom lower
teeth.
2.
Brackets
Brackets
are the part of the braces that are attached to the teeth (via rubber
bands or a special chemical that glues the brackets to the tooth).
They have hoops, which allows the archwire to pass through. The
archwire is what keeps everything together, so teeth are moved
together.
With
traditional brackets, you can choose ceramic or metal brackets.
Ceramic braces can come in white, to help them blend in with your
teeth. Metal braces stand out more, but you can choose customized
colors for the brackets.
3.
Adjustments
Straightening
teeth is a long process. Unfortunately, the dentist can't just put on
the braces and wait for them to work. Small adjustments need to be
made throughout the process. These adjustments tighten the braces,
which moves the teeth closer to their proper and new positon.
Although
the adjustments are small, they can cause some mild discomfort as
your child gets used to the new pressure on the teeth.
4.
Decalcification
Oral
care is always important, but if your child has braces, they are at
higher risk of decay. This is because braces get in the way of
cleaning, which makes it hard to fully clean the teeth. For this
reason, people with traditional braces may be more prone to
decalcification. Decalcification happens when tartar is left on your
tooth for too long.
If
your teeth do experience decalcification from braces, you may develop
carious lesions. These scars appear as bright white spots on the
tooth. Luckily, these scars are usually harmless, but they can affect
the beauty of your smile.
5.
Retainer
After
your teeth have been repositioned and the braces removed, your teeth
can slip back into their old position because of the ligaments and
muscles in your jawbone. For this reason, most people have to wear a
retainer for the rest of their lives to keep the results of braces.
Most
patients only need a removable retainer, which is usually only worn
at night. Your orthodontist may insist you wear it all day for the
first few weeks after treatment. A fixed retainer is cemented in your
mouth. It's harder to clean because it's not removable, but you also
can't lose it or forget to use it.
Crooked
teeth can do a lot of damage, including increasing the risk of major
decay by making it harder to keep your teeth clean. If your child has
crooked teeth, treatment should begin as soon as possible to prevent
future complications. If you would like more information regarding
braces, or if you need to schedule a consultation, contact
us at
Donald E. Snyder Orthodontics today.
