Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. In a layman language it is the science of moving teeth, aligning irregular, spaced or crowded teeth. Orthodontic braces are appliances or devices used to make these corrections. Anyone with mal-aligned or irregular teeth, crowded, overlapping teeth, or with gaps in between may require orthodontic treatment.

Causes of Crooked teeth

  • • Heredity
  • • Thumb-sucking
  • • Lip and tongue habits
  • • Mouth breathing, nail biting, etc.
  • • Incompetent lips
  • • Injury / accidents

Which teeth are called as crooked teeth?

  • • Upper front teeth which protrude or are "bucked"
  • • Top front teeth grow in behind the bottom front teeth
  • • A space exists between the top and bottom front teeth with the back teeth biting together
  • • Crowded or overlapped teeth or extra teeth
  • • Baby teeth are slowly falling out
  • • The centers of the top and bottom front teeth don't line up
  • • Finger sucking habit continues after 6 years of age
  • • Difficulty in chewing food
  • • Uneven wearing of teeth
  • • Excessive spaces between teeth that persist after the top permanent canine teeth appear
  • • Teeth or smile often hidden by hands.

It is most important to examine your child's teeth as the permanent teeth grow in. Although children mature at different rates, there are some averages for permanent tooth arrival.

Need for Orthodontic treatment

  • - Poorly aligned teeth require straightening because -
  • - Greater chances of trauma
  • - Greater tendency of food impaction and dental caries
  • - Poor esthetics
  • - Poor self esteem
  • - Greater chances of gum problems
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The Orthodontic treatment

Braces use steady, gentle pressure over time to move teeth into their proper positions. Brackets are bonded onto the teeth and thin archwire are secured into them using ligature wire. These thin archwire help in moving the teeth in desired position. The bracket can be made of metal or ceramic (tooth coloured). The treatment does involve a certain amount of pain, which may be mild to moderate and lasts for upto a week after treatment begins. After that there is generally no pain. However, each time the wire is adjusted or changed, expect to have some pain.

You will be required to eat soft food, food that is cut into small pieces, or well-cooked. Anything sticky or hard is best avoided during treatment.

Brushing will require an extra effort on your part. You may use a soft brush twice a day in gentle circular motions, making sure to dislodge any accumulated food particles and plaque. Another area of concern is sports. Be careful to take care of your braces during any sporting activity to prevent damage to teeth and lips.

Having undergone treatment, get ready to receive compliments on your new look!

Adult Orthodontics

Its now possible for adults to get there teeth straightened not only for appearance but also for better health of supporting gums and bone around teeth. Lingual invisible and ceramic braces are now the common choice of our many adult patients who have benefited from orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic Microimplants

These wonderfull micro screws are a big boon to orthodontist who can use them in situations which otherwise would have been difficult to treat and most importantly they help to reduce the orthodontic braces treatment time . It helps to gain support from bone to pull back teeth and to correct deep bites. Microimplants involves minor surgical procedure and these are then finally removed after the treatment.

First Aid for Braces

  • • If a wire is causing irritation, try pushing the wire away from the area being irritated using the eraser end of a pencil or the blunt side of a spoon? If the wire cannot be tucked in, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or a piece of chewing gum, and call us as soon as possible to fix the problem. Cutting the wire should only be done at the clinic by us.
  • • If your teeth are sore after an orthodontic appointment, take a pain-killer such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen unless you are allergic to them. Rinsing your mouth with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water can also be soothing. If you teeth get sore suddenly in between appointments, give us a call because it is unusual for the teeth to get sore several weeks after your last office visit.
  • • If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use your toothbrush without using toothpaste, to dislodge the food particles.
  • • If a piece of your appliance breaks, save the piece and call your orthodontist to schedule a repair visit.
  • • If you swallow a piece of your appliances, try to remain calm. A swallowed piece will usually go either into the stomach or the lungs. Most of the time it will go in the stomach and pass out of the body in a bowel movement. However, if difficulty in breathing is experienced, you should seek immediate medical attention. X-rays will be taken to determine the position of the swallowed piece and your physicians will counsel you on your options concerning retrieval of the stray piece.
  • • If a retainer cracks, bring it to the clinic for a professional repair.