Many people suffer from dental problems. And one of the most unpleasant diagnoses is malocclusion. To some, such a defect will seem insignificant, but in fact, such a problem can lead to serious complications that will require a lot of money and time for treatment. At the moment, braces are considered the most effective method of straightening teeth and restoring a natural bite. It is about them that will be discussed in this article.
Why wear braces
The key task of this system is to correct the bite, which is very important for a beautiful smile and proper digestion. Braces are used to solve various orthodontic problems. If the teeth are crooked and the bite is incorrect, then in addition to the negative aesthetic component, this fact can lead to the development of serious problems, such as:
- dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint;
- incorrect pronunciation of some sounds;
- dysplasia of the upper and lower jaw;
- shortness of breath;
- disruption of the digestive tract caused by poor chewing of food;
- the appearance of defects in the facial skeleton;
- occurrencegaps between teeth;
- chronic viral infectious pathologies (sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis media);
- loosening of the teeth due to a violation of the distribution of the load during chewing food (possible even loss of teeth and the development of periodontal disease);
- Difficulty brushing teeth.
It is unlikely that there will be doubts about the need for orthodontic treatment, if you look at the result that braces give. Before and after (the photo can be seen in the article) their wearing teeth look completely different. All of the consequences of malocclusion mentioned above can be eliminated or prevented from the outset.
Brackets are also used as a tool to prepare the oral cavity for dental implants. On average, they need to be worn from 6 to 20 months (the specific period is determined by the orthodontist on an individual basis).
However, the results are worth the discomfort that will have to endure for several months (wearing the system is really uncomfortable for many).
Operation principle
Actually, braces are small clasps that are attached to the teeth with glue and a ligature.
The degree of their impact on the teeth is controlled by means of regulating arches. They, in essence, set the degree of bite correction. Standard designs of braces require periodic examination by the attending physician. But if you wish, you can always order self-adjusting models.
There is an opinion that it is possible to qualitatively change the bite only in childhood. But onin fact, if you study the results that braces give (before and after - photos of patients in this case will tell a lot), there will be no doubts. It will not be difficult to conclude that this method of influencing the teeth is effective for people and adulthood. Despite the fact that orthodontics can affect virtually any dental pathology, there are still some contraindications. Most often, braces are not recommended due to the development of periodontal disease or caries. However, any complications are treatable and temporary.
Types of braces
Many models of bite correction systems are made of metal. But in order for the result after braces to meet expectations, it is necessary to make a competent choice from the available options, each of which has its own characteristics.
Returning to metal models, it is worth noting that they have become much more convenient than before (the arcs are now noticeably smaller) and are considered the most effective.
Experts often recommend self-ligating models. A ligature is a wire to which an arc is attached in a system. The disadvantage of standard models is that tangible friction is created during movement. The reason for this unpleasant fact is the ligatures that rigidly block the arc. This circumstance greatly complicates the treatment process. To be convinced of this, it is enough to study the topic: "Brackets - before and after, patient reviews." But in self-ligating systems, a different, more mobile type of fixation is used, which significantly reduces the friction force.
Such attachment modelsrelevant for many reasons. First of all, it is worth noting the fact that systems of this design allow you to program the process of bite correction individually for each tooth. As a result, the treatment gives the maximum result. Moreover, thanks to an improved fastening scheme, self-ligating braces can reduce the treatment time by an average of 25%. In addition, these models are perfect for changing the bite of those patients who suffer from periodontal disease or other inflammatory diseases.
Another advantage of self-ligating braces is the wide choice of materials - from metal to ceramic. It is also positive that with such a system, the soft tissues of the oral cavity do not experience physical overload, due to which there is a quick adaptation. As a result, the process of orthodontic treatment takes place with minimal trauma.
Those who are overly concerned about their smile during treatment should pay attention to lingual braces. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that the locks are attached to the inside of the teeth. As a result, such braces remain invisible to others. Moreover, this type of construction allows you to achieve a good result without distorting the diction at all. Wearing such braces is convenient in every way.
You can also choose plastic or ceramic locks. They have a fairly neat, pretty look and are selected individually according to the color of the enamel. As for sapphire braces, at the moment this is the most attractive option. Polymerthe components of such a model are completely transparent and therefore almost imperceptible. Those who care not only about the effect that braces give before and after installation, but also about the aesthetic component of the treatment, will definitely be satisfied with the sapphire design.
Why teeth can hurt
Sometimes it happens that after the installation of braces there are painful sensations. This is a natural reaction that you just need to experience. People feel pain and discomfort after installing the system on average for the first seven days. And to make this period as easy as possible, you should pay attention to proven methods.
When your teeth hurt after braces, it makes sense to drink ibuprofen - this will help reduce irritation. But aspirin should not be used as a pain reliever, otherwise there is a risk of bleeding.
It is also important to take into account the fact that the gums, like the lips, get used to the uneven, rough surface of the locks for some time. To reduce the feeling of discomfort in this case, a weak solution of s alt water will help. In order to prepare it, you need to dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of s alt in a glass of water. After that, the resulting liquid should rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day.
Reduce the level of pain in case of increased sensitivity of the teeth for the first 10 days will help the rejection of complex foods that require careful chewing. It's best to limit your diet to soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, and other foods that fall into the bland category. If the pain worsens, you should suck on an ice cube oreat something cold, like ice cream. This will help to reduce the feeling of severe discomfort for a while. It's also important to remember to take your pain medication an hour before your orthodontist appointment.
It is important not to succumb to the wave of negative feelings and leave the thought of removing the system. Photos of people wearing braces, before and after their installation, clearly testify to the value of this method of restoring bite and teeth alignment.
Oral care while wearing the system
The big news for those who have to wear braces is that you will now have to take care of your teeth much more carefully than before. If this is neglected, then there is a risk that you will have to put up with inflammatory gum disease.
The presence of locks and arches greatly complicates the process of brushing your teeth, so this procedure should be given at least 10 minutes after each meal. If it so happened that there was no brush at hand, then you should at least rinse your mouth for 2-3 minutes - this will help remove food debris from under the walls of the system.
It will not be superfluous to use special brushes that help to effectively clean the space near the locks. Orthodontists also recommend purchasing a special toothbrush and paste. Then, after removing the braces, the teeth will not only be straight, but also he althy.
For those who lack the natural discipline to implement all the recommended oral care measures, it will be relevant to visit a specialist who can do a professional cleaning (treatmentenamel, fissure sealing, tartar removal).
Pain after removal
It is not uncommon that orthodontic treatment is not limited to severe discomfort only in the first 2 weeks. Often patients complain that their teeth hurt after braces, and even more than before. Such sensations are explained by the fact that the dentition is more accustomed to being in its original, albeit incorrect, position. Under the influence of ligaments, he tries to restore the previous angle. If nothing is done about it, then the bite can become even worse than before.
The next cause of pain after removing the system is enamel weakened during orthodontic treatment. In this case, a course of remotherapy is necessary. In fact, this is nothing more than the treatment of teeth with therapeutic varnishes, gels and pastes, which have a strong restoring effect. After using them, the pain usually goes away. In any case, the bite after braces will be correct only in the case of subsequent treatment, which is necessary to consolidate the result.
Period after withdrawal
For a complete correction of the bite, it is necessary to fix the result after the braces are removed. The fact is that the essence of the impact of locks and arches is reduced to pressure on the ligaments that hold the tooth. It is thanks to the stable impact of such a system that the bite changes. But it is worth considering the fact that the teeth after removing the braces will begin to return to their previous position. In order to prevent this from happening, you need to correctly conduct retentionperiod (fixing the result), which lasts from one to two terms of orthodontic treatment.
In other words, if you had to wear braces for 8 months, then the subsequent treatment will take almost a year and a half. The good news is that there is no need to endure braces a second time. Instead, much more convenient devices are installed.
What is put after braces
Concerning in more detail the topic of fixing the correct bite, it is worth considering the types of structures that are used for this. Start with retainers.
In fact, it is a metal arc that is fixed on the inside of the teeth with glue. It does not cause any particular discomfort, so it will not take long to get used to it. As for the aesthetic component, the retainers are invisible to others.
The advantages of this device are obvious:
- always gives the desired result;
- has a modest size;
- does not spoil the impression of a smile;
- attaches quickly and painlessly;
- securely locks teeth in position.
One of the most common types of retainers is permanent. This type of construction, which looks like thin tires, is not removable. To install the device in the teeth (from the side of the tongue), a small groove is made, into which a strong fiber optic thread is placed, after which the cavity is sealed and leveled. There are also models that remain on the surface without deepening. But in anycase, during use, the retainers are almost not felt.
There are also removable models - trainers. This plate after braces is installed in the case when the structure needs to be removed periodically. Such models may take the form of lip bumpers and elastic tires. The value of this type of retainers lies in the fact that, in addition to fixing the correct position of the teeth, they have the most beneficial effect on mouth breathing, the position of the tongue and the muscles of the jaw system.
Treatment after braces also includes the use of mouthguards. For their manufacture, only light and transparent materials are used that are unable to cause irritation of the oral mucosa. When using such models, there is no discomfort, because they do not interfere with eating and talking, and are also easily removed at the right time.
You can use both standard models and custom-made mouthguards.
What result should I expect
The main purpose of wearing braces is the correct distribution of all elements of the dentition. An interesting fact is that for the full period of treatment, the orthodontist's duties include checking several stages of the correct bite.
The result obtained after wearing braces must meet certain criteria. Here is a list of them:
- bite does not have any pathological form;
- the functions of digestion, respiration and chewing should be fully restored;
- all pathological complications caused bybecame a malocclusion, eliminated.
- the position of the teeth must comply with international standards.
The orthodontist is obliged to follow the full implementation of each of these points in the treatment process. But, as mentioned above, in order for braces to give the maximum result before and after their use, you need to wear either mouth guards or retainers.
Results
If you carefully study the reviews of people who had to wear braces, we can conclude that this method of correcting the bite and aligning the teeth has not lost its relevance.
People of all ages go through orthodontic treatment and end up with beautiful, he althy smiles. The main thing, according to many patients, is to find a good specialist, on whom the effectiveness of this technique directly depends.
