Orthodontists from smilebar.com are specialists in the treatment of misaligned teeth, jaws, and facial structures. They use removable devices like facemasks, headgears and dental braces to gently train the teeth in their proper positions.
Braces
Braces are fixed appliances, which gently apply constant force to help guide teeth in alignment. This process uses your body’s natural ability of adapting and changing to move crooked, twisted teeth in a straighter direction. Traditional metal braces consist of small brackets that are bonded to the front surface of each tooth, thin flexible wires (archwires) that run through these brackets and a set of additional components like bands or spacers.
These components create the framework for the pressure that moves teeth, but they also add structural stability to your bite. The archwire fits in the slots of the brackets and applies a consistent but gentle pressure on the teeth. This pressure triggers the biological response called bone remodeling. The bone breaks down on one side, and builds up on the opposite.
This gradual movement helps to shift the tooth into its new position, which ultimately improves your smile. While this process may take more time when compared to the speed of moving a single tooth with a dental drill, it is important for long-term results and your orthodontist will explain this to you in detail during your consultation.
You can add a series or elastic bands to your braces in addition to the archwire to encourage and aid the movement of your tooth. These bands or rings are usually placed around the back molars. They can be changed at each appointment if they lose their elasticity.
These bands can also help to close the space between your back teeth and upper and lower jaw. This closure will provide a more comfortable way to bite and chew.
These bands are necessary for a healthy and beautiful grin. These bands are made from durable materials that are effective in achieving a beautiful smile.
Aligners
If braces don’t work for you or if you’ve already had orthodontic treatment and only need to make minor adjustments in the future, clear aligners could be a good alternative. These clear plastic removable trays correct a wide range of orthodontic issues including crooked or crowded teeth, underbite and overbite. These trays are also more comfortable, and less noticeable.
Each aligner set shifts your teeth incrementally with gentle, consistent forces to a more optimal and treated state. Your orthodontist provides you with a schedule for your treatment based on how much tooth movement is required. Generally speaking, you will wear your aligners for 22 hours a day (removing them only to eat and drink) for one or two weeks before moving on to the next aligner in the series.
To create a personalized treatment plan, your orthodontist will use state-of-the-art digital impressions/scans of your teeth and bite with a 3D scanner that helps identify the severity of your alignment issues. This will allow them to determine the length and course of treatment for your aligner and give you an estimate cost.
Once this information is compiled, your orthodontist will use an advanced software program to review and finalize your customized aligner treatment. This will include determining how long you should wear each aligner set, the frequency of changing to new ones, cleaning instructions, as well as other relevant information.
Then, your orthodontist will send the 3D model of your teeth to a manufacturer who will use specialized computer software to produce a series of custom-made clear aligners that fit and conform to the exact specifications provided by your orthodontist. Your orthodontist then schedules a follow-up visit to confirm that the teeth have moved in the right direction.
Children’s orthodontic care is known as “phase-one orthodontics” and focuses primarily on treating misaligned children’s teeth to prevent them from developing more complex adult problems. Orthodontists are the best people to consult for this type care as they can prevent more expensive and complex treatment down the line.
Retainers
Retainers are custom made to align teeth after orthodontic treatment. They can stop crooked, twisted teeth from “uprighting”, and can keep straight, new smiles looking great for life. Keeping your teeth in place is a big deal, so it’s important to wear your retainer as directed by your orthodontist.
A retainer is made of metal or plastic and is designed to fit inside your mouth comfortably. It may take some time to get used wearing one but the reward is a beautiful smile. There are many types of retainers. However, they are all similar in size and form. Some are removable and others aren’t. Removables are usually made of clear plastic and can be removed for cleaning by the patient. They are also cheaper than permanent retainers that are bonded on the back of teeth.
Permanent retainers, while less common, are still a viable option for certain patients. They are typically a wire that runs across the lower back teeth. They can be glued to the upper back teeth. These retainers are more expensive than removable ones, but they are more permanent and less likely to be lost or broken.
Both types are available in many different colors and designs so you can select the one that fits your style. Removable retainers can be easily cleaned, but you should brush them both before and after use to reduce the chance of plaque accumulation. Avoid foods that can damage or break the retainer. This includes hard foods such as candy and popcorn. It’s best to keep your retainer in an enclosed case when it’s not being used. This will prevent accidental damage and loss, and also help prevent it being mistakenly thrown away as trash.
Your orthodontist may offer options for cleaning your retainer, including using special floss threaders. It’s especially important to clean your retainer correctly to reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities.
Treatment Time
Orthodontics addresses issues with the alignment of a person’s teeth and jaw. It is often used to correct a crossbite, underbite, overbite or other problems. Orthodontic treatment usually takes between 12 and 36 month. Many factors determine how long a person will wear braces, aligners or other orthodontic devices. However, some patients would prefer to reduce the length of their treatment.
There are several ways orthodontists may speed up the treatment process. One method is to use a special type of bracket called an inverted arch. This allows an orthodontist the ability to apply more pressure during treatment on certain teeth. Interproximal stripping is another method. This involves placing small strips of bonding material between the teeth to force them to move more quickly.
Miniscrews are another way to reduce treatment time. These are tiny metal devices that attach to the back of the teeth and act as anchors for orthodontic appliances. This method allows for more precise corrections of malocclusions and helps to accelerate tooth movement.
In general, treating young children is easier than treating adults because their teeth are still growing. Orthodontists must examine each case individually to determine if early treatment will be necessary. In such cases, a two stage approach is often recommended. This prevents undesirable growth patterns from occurring and can eliminate the need for additional treatment when the child is older.
Cooperation from the patient is also essential to reduce orthodontic treatment time. If a patient cooperates by wearing their braces or aligners consistently, they’re more likely to finish on time and have a great result. If a patient doesn’t follow their orthodontist’s instructions, they may experience complications such as broken brackets or missed appointments, which can delay the treatment.
Orthodontists also can help their patients speed up their treatment by providing more effective tools to track their progress. They can provide a variety of devices that track the amount of movement in each tooth, as well as a device that shows the progression of a patient’s treatment in real time. Orthodontists can better plan treatments for patients by using this technology.
Comments