A lot of people suffer from tooth 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, which will require a lot of money and time for treatment. At the moment, braces are considered the most effective method of aligning 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 full digestion. With the help of braces, various orthodontic problems are solved. If the teeth are bent 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;
- violation of the growth of the upper and lower jaw;
- difficulty breathing ;
- disruption of the digestive tract caused by poor chewing of food;
- the appearance of defects in the facial skeleton;
- the occurrence of gaps between the teeth;
- chronic viral infectious pathologies (sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis media);
- loosening of the teeth due to a violation of the load distribution during chewing food (even tooth loss and the development of periodontal disease are possible);
- difficulty in brushing your teeth.
There is hardly any doubt about the need for orthodontic treatment, if you look at the result that the braces give. Before and after (the photo can be seen in the article) their wearing teeth look completely different. All the consequences of malocclusion mentioned above can be eliminated or prevented initially.
Braces 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 (a specific period is determined by the orthodontist individually).
However, the results are worth the discomfort that will have to endure for several months (many people are really uncomfortable wearing the system).
Operating principle
In essence, braces are small clasps that are attached to the teeth with glue and ligatures.
The degree of their effect on the teeth is controlled by means of regulatory arcs. They, in essence, set the degree of occlusal correction. Standard bracket designs require periodic medical examination. But if you wish, you can always order self-regulating models.
It is believed that qualitatively change the bite is possible only in childhood. But in fact, if you study the results that give the braces (before and after - the photos of patients in this case will say a lot), there will be no doubt. It will be easy to conclude that this method of exposure to teeth is effective for people and adulthood. Despite the fact that orthodontics can affect virtually any dental pathology, some contraindications still occur. Most often, braces are not recommended to be placed due to the development of periodontal disease or caries. Nevertheless, any complications are treatable and are a temporary obstacle.
Types of Braces
Many models of bite correction systems are made of metal. But in order for the result after the brackets to meet expectations, it is necessary to make a competent choice of 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 (arcs are now noticeably smaller) and are considered the most effective.
Experts often recommend self-ligating models. Ligature is the wire to which the arc in the system is attached. The disadvantage of standard models is that during movement, tangible friction is created. The reason for this unpleasant fact is the ligatures that rigidly block the arc. This circumstance significantly complicates the treatment process. To verify this, it is enough to study the topic: "Braces - before and after, patient reviews." But in self-alloying systems, another, more mobile type of fixation is used, which significantly reduces the friction force.
Such mounting models are relevant for many reasons. First of all, it is worth noting the fact that systems of a similar design allow you to program the process of bite correction individually for each tooth. As a result, treatment gives the maximum result. Moreover, thanks to an improved fastening scheme, self-ligating braces can reduce the duration of treatment by an average of 25%. In addition, it is precisely such models that 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 a wide selection of materials - from metal to ceramics. The fact that with such a system the soft tissues of the oral cavity do not experience physical overload is also positive, 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 worried about their smile during treatment should pay attention to lingual braces. Their feature is that the locks are attached to the inside of the teeth. As a result, such braces remain invisible to others. Moreover, this type of design allows you to achieve a good result, absolutely without distorting the diction. Wearing such braces is convenient in every way.
You can also stop your choice on plastic or ceramic locks. They have a fairly neat and attractive appearance and are selected individually for the color of enamel. As for sapphire braces, then at the moment this is the most attractive option. The polymer components of such a model are completely transparent and therefore practically invisible. Those who care not only about the effect that braces give before and after installation, but also the aesthetic component of the treatment, will definitely be pleased with the sapphire design.
Why teeth can hurt
Sometimes it happens that after installing braces, painful sensations arise. This is a natural reaction that you just need to survive. After the installation of the system, people feel pain and discomfort on average 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 installing braces, it makes sense to drink ibuprofen - this will help reduce irritation. But aspirin should not be used as an anesthetic, otherwise there is a risk of bleeding.
It is important to take into account the fact that the gums, as well as the lips, get used to the uneven, rough surface of the locks for some time. In this case, a weak solution of salt water will help to reduce the feeling of discomfort. In order to cook it, it is necessary to dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of salt in a glass of water. After this, the resulting liquid needs to rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day.
The rejection of complex foods, which require careful chewing, will help reduce the level of pain with increased tooth sensitivity during the first 10 days. It is better to limit your diet to soups, mashed potatoes, yoghurts and other foods that fall into the soft category. If the pain worsens, you should suck an ice cube or eat something cold, such as ice cream. This will help reduce the feeling of extreme discomfort for a while. It is also important not to forget to take pain medication an hour before the visit to the orthodontist.
It is important not to succumb to the wave of negative feelings and leave thoughts about the removal of the system. Photos of people who wore braces, before and after their installation, clearly demonstrate the value of this method of bite restoration and tooth alignment.
Oral care while wearing the system
The important news for those who have to wear braces is that they will now have to take care of their teeth more thoroughly than before. If this is neglected, then there is a risk that you will have to put up with inflammatory diseases of the gums.
The presence of locks and arches greatly complicates the process of brushing your teeth, so this procedure must be given at least 10 minutes after each meal. If it so happened that there was no brush at hand, then 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 toothpaste. Then, after braces are removed, the teeth will be not only smooth, but also healthy.
For those who lack the natural discipline to implement all the recommended measures for the care of the oral cavity, it will be relevant to visit a specialist who can do professional cleaning (processing enamel, sealing fissures, removing tartar).
Pain after removal
There are frequent cases when orthodontic treatment is not limited to severe discomfort only in the first 2 weeks. Often patients complain that their teeth hurt after braces, moreover than before. Such sensations are explained by the fact that the dentition is accustomed to be in the original, albeit in the wrong position. Under the influence of ligaments, he tries to restore the previous angle. If you do nothing with this, then the bite may become even worse than before.
The next cause of pain after removal of the system is enamel weakened during orthodontic treatment. In this case, a course of rheotherapy is necessary. In fact, this is nothing more than the treatment of teeth with medical varnishes, gels and pastes, which have a strong healing effect. After using them, the pain usually goes away. In any case, the bite after braces will be correct only in case of subsequent treatment, which is necessary to consolidate the result.
The period after removal
For a complete correction of the bite, it is necessary to consolidate the result after the braces are removed. The fact is that the essence of the impact of locks and arches comes down to pressure on the ligaments that hold the tooth. It is thanks to the stable effect 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, it is necessary to correctly conduct a retention period (fixing the result), which lasts from one to two terms of orthodontic treatment.
In other words, if the braces had to be worn for 8 months, then the subsequent treatment will take almost a year and a half. The good news is that there’s no need to endure braces a second time. Instead, they install much more convenient devices.
What to put after braces
Touching in more detail on the topic of fixing the correct bite, it is worth considering the types of structures that are used for this. You should start with the retainers.
In fact, this is a metal arc, which is fixed on the inside of the teeth with glue. It does not cause much discomfort, so you do not have to get used to it for a long time. 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;
- fastens quickly and painlessly;
- Reliably fixes teeth in the desired position.
One of the most common types of retainers is permanent. This type of design, having the appearance of thin tires, is not removable. To install the device in the teeth (on the tongue side), 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 a recess. But in any case, during use, the retainers are practically 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 can take the form of lip bumpers and elastic tires. The value of this type of retainer is that, in addition to fixing the correct position of the teeth, they have the most beneficial effect on oral breathing, the position of the tongue and muscles of the jaw system.
Treatment after braces also involves the use of mouth guards. For their manufacture, only light and transparent materials are used, unable to cause irritation of the oral mucosa. When using such models, there is no discomfort, since they do not interfere with eating and talking, and also can be easily removed at the right time.
You can use both standard models and mouth guards made according to an individual impression.
What result should you count on
The main purpose of wearing braces is the correct distribution of all elements of the dentition. An interesting fact is that for the full duration of treatment, the responsibility of the orthodontist is to check several stages of the correct bite.
The result obtained after wearing braces must meet certain criteria. Here is a list of them:
- the bite does not have any pathological form;
- digestion, respiration and chewing functions must be fully restored;
- all pathological complications caused by the wrong bite have been eliminated.
- The position of the teeth must comply with international standards.
An orthodontist is required to monitor the full implementation of each of these items during treatment. But, as mentioned above, so that the braces before and after their use give the maximum result, you need to wear either mouth guards or retainers.
Summary
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 get a beautiful, healthy smile. The main thing, according to many patients, is to find a good specialist, on whom the effectiveness of this technique directly depends.