Braces used to be reserved as a teeth-straightening method for teenagers. Now, everyone from preteens to adults older than twenty are sporting mouths full of metal. As soon children display buckteeth, they are given metal to wear. Older folks who never had them before are getting the help they need over a longer time span with their harder gum tissue. New wearers can feel reassured with these basic truths.
In terms of who needs metal in their mouth and who does not, there is a scale of orthodontic need. Some folks only have overbites or underbites. Their teeth or jaws angle in or out more than they should. Others have teeth that are turned at awkward angles or have not fully erupted through the gum line. Still other patients have severe gum alignment problems. All can be helped by orthodontic adjustments.
The most common tools used for tooth and jaw movement are metal wires attached to teeth. The wires are hooked to brackets and held onto the teeth with rubber bands and metal plates. This system is commonly known as having braces.
While plastic retainers are starting to see a comeback, most clients still prefer to have a mouth full of metal. Even though retainers are removable, they are usually only used after braces have been worn. As a primary tooth moving treatment, removable plastic plates are considerably slower than wires that move teeth under constant pressure. For shorter treatment times, metal structures are still the best way to go.
The attachment of metal pieces inside the mouth requires quite a bit of time. The brackets on the rear teeth are commonly cemented on in the first appointment. That visit takes place approximately seven days prior to the rest of the application. The reason for the wait is twofold. First, the cement on the brackets gets a chance to fully solidify before it has to support anything. Second, this time lapse lets the patient adjust to having metal in his oral cavity.
At the next and last fixation visit, the individual tooth plates are attached to each of the teeth. The very first tightening wires are put into place and secured with tiny rubber bands. The bands come in a vast array of colors to match the preferences of each individual patient. In some clients, the jaws are also connected to force them to shift.
At regular intervals, the client visits the orthodontist to get new, tighter wires applied to his brackets. This procedure is done over and over again throughout the treatment course until everything in the mouth is straight. The amount of time it takes for this to happen will vary between clients. Generally speaking, the softer the gum tissue is, the more often the appointments will be the less time the treatment will take. Preteens tend to have the softest gum tissue. Adults over twenty have gum tissue that is more rigid.
While there are newer, possibly more comfortable treatment options available, braces are still the option of choice for many patients. Their application process is long and their tightening visits are numerous. Preteen patients will have more frequent visits and a shorter adjustment protocol. Older clients usually have fewer periodic visits but longer alignment times.
Serving the region of Woodbridge whitening, our team of dentist Woodbridge professionals can help you meet your dental cosmetic and health needs.