Orthodontic Treatments – Bringing Teeth into Alignment
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, approximately 4.5 million people in the United States are bringing their teeth into alignment with braces or other dental appliances. Orthodontists are dentists who have additional training to treat misaligned teeth or malocclusions that may be caused by jaw issues and tooth irregularities.
What Causes Tooth Misalignment
According to Terry Pracht, DDS crooked teeth can be caused by hereditary factors or environmental factors. Crowded teeth, large gaps between teeth, and malocclusions are examples of hereditary causes. Environmental factors include jaw injuries, thumb sucking, and tongue thrusting.
Options for Orthodontic treatment
There are three stages in treating misaligned teeth or malocclusions.
- Appliances used to make space in the mouth, such as lingual bars and palatal expanders
- Corrective stage when the dental appliances are attached to the teeth and adjustments are made over time to straighten the teeth
- The last stage is the maintenance or retention stage when the braces are removed and retainers are used to monitor the alignment of the teeth
Types of Dental Appliances
Braces have changes over the years. Braces used to be large metal bands that were cemented around the tooth. Today, braces are small metal or ceramic brackets that are placed on the front surface of the teeth and metal bands on the back of the teeth. Heat activated arch wires made of nickel titanium are attached to the brackets, the heat from the inside of the mouth causes the wires to place constant pressure on the teeth. The arch wires are also adjusted at regularly scheduled orthodontic appointments.
Another new form of braces is the Invisalign system. Invisalign braces are clear removable dental appliances that are worn to move teeth into proper alignment. The clear aligners can be removed while eating and for brushing and flossing.
How to Care for Braces
The orthodontist will provide you with instructions for caring for and cleaning your braces. The orthodontist or dental hygienist will recommend a toothbrush that is specifically designed for use with braces with manual or powered. It is important to brush teeth 2 or 3 times a day at a 45 degree angle in a back and forth motion and angle the toothbrush at the gum line to remove plaque to prevent inflammation of the gums or gingivitis. Be sure to clean carefully around the braces to remove food debris and clean between teeth with floss, an interproximal cleaning brush, or tooth pick cleaner. Cleaning with an oral irrigator may be used to remove odor causing bacteria and food debris. Your orthodontist may also recommend an antibacterial toothpaste and a mouth rinse.
Maintaining Tooth Alignment
Once the braces are removed, it is important to wear a plastic dental appliance called a retainer as recommended by the orthodontist to keep the teeth aligned. Clean the retainer daily with warm water and a toothbrush and toothpaste and store in its case when it is not in use.
Get your teeth professionally cleaned and examined twice a year, and see the orthodontist regularly for orthodontic treatments and maintenance.