Braces

Types Of Braces

Our Aligning Dentistry is the best braces specialist in Alwarpet, Chennai, providing you with two types of braces as alternatives. They are

• Metal Braces
• Ceramic Braces
• Selfligating Braces

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most common type, known for their affordability compared to other options. Typically made of high-grade stainless steel with minimal nickel content, nickel-free versions are also available for those with allergies. Modern metal braces are smaller, flatter, and more comfortable, with low-profile options for less visibility. However, they can still be noticeable when smiling, laughing, or talking, which may cause self-consciousness, especially before important events like job interviews or weddings.

Ceramic Braces

Tooth colored or clear brackets are used in ceramic braces, blending with the teeth's shade and making them less noticeable than metal braces. While ceramic braces are more expensive due to their glassy ceramic/porcelain material, which matches the strength of metal, they offer advantages in terms of time, cost, and effort. They are a preferred choice for both children and adults seeking less conspicuous orthodontic treatment.

Self Ligation Braces vs Conventional Braces

Self ligation braces or hygienic braces have a permanently installed, movable component such as clips or doors that secure the archwire. They are classified into two categories: Passive and Active. These braces come in metal (stainless steel) and ceramic (porcelain) types.

Self ligation braces are more hygienic to maintain, cause less discomfort during treatments and enable more faster treatment results, so that braces treatment duration is drastically reduced when compared to conventional braces.

Post Treatment Guidelines for Braces

Braces are effective in repositioning teeth, which involves applying force to the teeth during treatment. After braces are removed, it's crucial to maintain the teeth's new positions with retainers. This helps prevent potential gum irritation and ensures ease of maintenance during the retentive phase. There are generally no further side effects from braces themselves.

Following brace removal, a thorough cleaning is done to remove any remaining calculus and residual cement used for bonding the braces. This is followed by polishing the tooth surfaces. Fixed retainers are then bonded to the back of the upper and lower front teeth. Impressions are taken separately for the upper and lower teeth, which are sent to labs to create hard, clear/transparent removable retainers.

Once the retainers are trimmed to the gum margin level and delivered to the dental office, they are tried on the patient. These retainers should be worn full-time except while eating and brushing. They need to be cleaned every morning using a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Rest assured, your best braces specialist in Alwarpet, Chennai, will provide guidance and suggest best practices to prevent future issues

How Long Does Recovery Take?

Wearing retainers after braces is crucial for at least one full year to maintain teeth shape and position. This prevents teeth from relapsing once braces are removed. Retainers are gradually phased out, starting with nightly wear for the next 3 months after the initial year, then alternating nights for the following 3 months. Fixed retainers remain until jaw growth ends or until they are lost.

Oral Care Tips During Braces Treatment

Inculcating a flossing routine is important during orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists and hygienists recommend using interdental brushes or floss threads for easy access to areas in between teeth.

Flossing

During orthodontic treatment, it's important to establish a flossing routine. Orthodontists and hygienists recommend using interdental brushes or floss threads for easy access between teeth.

Brushing Routine

Use a soft-bristled orthodontic toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste to clean teeth with braces. Start brushing at a 45-degree angle along the gum line using gentle, circular motions. Then, angle the brush downward to clean each bracket and move linearly across the arch. Brush below the braces and the wire, angling the brush upward. Initially, brush in front of a mirror for better control, avoiding accidental bracket breakage. Brush twice daily and replace toothbrushes every two months or when bristles fray.

Fluoride Mouthwash

Rinse with fluoride mouthwash after brushing and flossing to prevent cavities and white spots. Rinse twice daily for optimal protection.

Mouth Guards

Wear a mouth guard during sports to protect braces from damage and prevent cuts to cheeks and lips. Custom-made night guards are typically provided after braces are fitted.

Benefits of Braces

Braces are effective in repositioning teeth, which involves applying force to the teeth during treatment. After braces are removed, it's crucial to maintain the teeth's new positions with retainers. This helps prevent potential gum irritation and ensures ease of maintenance during the retentive phase. There are generally no further side effects from braces themselves.

Alignment Improvement

Braces are effective in aligning teeth that are crooked, prominent, or spaced, promoting a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing dental structure.

Enhancement of Smile Aesthetics

They contribute to a more pleasing and attractive smile, positively impacting one’s overall facial appearance.

Confidence Boost and Personality Improvement

Braces play a crucial role in restoring lost confidence and enhancing personality, especially for individuals who may have felt self conscious about their dental alignment.

Decay Prevention Through Improved Cleaning

By facilitating easier removal of debris after achieving regular teeth alignment, braces help prevent the chances of decay. This ensures better oral hygiene and overall dental health.

Reduction of Strain on Soft Tissues

Braces aid in reducing undue strain on soft tissues such as the lips and chin, particularly when dealing with more prominent teeth. This contributes to a more comfortable and balanced oral environment.

What Age Can I Have Braces?

Braces treatment can typically commence once a patient's permanent teeth, up to the 1st permanent molars, have erupted. There is no specified age for starting braces, as the eruption of permanent teeth varies among children. Generally, the permanent teeth, till the 1st permanent molars, erupt between eleven and a half to thirteen years of age.

Until What Age Can i Have Braces?

There are generally no age limits for getting braces. As long as the teeth and surrounding periodontium are healthy, patients can have braces. Typically, children aged 16 or below have less dense bone than adults. This can result in slightly faster teeth movement each month due to their more flexible bone and increased blood supply to teeth and bone. Even patients with periodontal or medical conditions can get braces after proper infection/condition control.

Alternatives To Braces

Clear aligners are orthodontic devices made of transparent plastic, designed to adjust teeth discreetly. The treatment process typically begins with comprehensive assessments like x rays, photographs, and bite registrations to create a personalized treatment plan. Using advanced technology, dental impressions are transformed into digital 3D models, allowing technicians to sequentially move teeth to the desired positions. This process involves the creation of multiple aligners, usually ranging from six to fortyeight, each aligner gradually shifting teeth by 0.25 to 0.33 mm. These aligners are a popular choice for individuals seeking a more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable alternative to traditional braces.

After the computer generated projection of teeth movements is approved using software like "ClinCheck," the aligners are fabricated using CAD CAM technology and stereolithography. This involves creating molds in layers using a light sensitive liquid resin that hardens under laser exposure, forming durable plastic aligners. These aligners, made from elastic thermoplastic material, exert gentle pressure to shift teeth into their desired positions. Patients requiring specific tooth adjustments may have tooth colored attachments bonded to certain teeth.

Aligners are typically worn for about 22 hours daily over two week intervals, with an average treatment duration of 13.5 months. The exact treatment duration varies based on the complexity of teeth movements. Aligners are removed for oral hygiene activities and eating. Following treatment completion, patients are advised to wear retainers at night for long term stability. Popular brands include INVISALIGN, CLEAR CORRECT, ORTHO CLEAR, CLEAR PATH, CLEAR BITE, among others.

Luckily, these days, just anyone can achieve celebrity smile, using laminates, veneers or lumineers. Smile make over helps us to overcome various dental problems such as teeth stains, discolorations, gaps, cracked teeth, chipped teeth, or fractured teeth, dark pigmented gums, excessive gum coverage over teeth. In this modern world, born beautiful is considered a boon & showing a whacky smile a very great sin.. Who doesn’t wish to flash a dazzling smile…

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