How Do Braces Straighten Children And Adults Teeth? »

Dental braces are correction devices used to treat crowded teeth, crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw. We offer them in our clinic and even have the special lingual braces, St Albans, for you. Contact us to learn more.

Braces are mostly used to correct malocclusion problems in adolescents, but lately, more adults are getting involved with dental braces in their lives.

Most braces are made which metals and ceramics, and they have wires and other bonding materials that allow them to attach to the teeth. The doctor that provides these devices for the treatment of misaligned teeth is called an orthodontist.

Types of braces

There are different braces, but the one recommended for you would depend on factors like your age, your condition, that is, if it’s an overbite underbite or crooked teeth. They are usually customised to meet the individual needs of patients.

The conventional braces are made of metal brackets which are usually gummed to teeth individually. It also has an archwire that applies pressure to the jawline and teeth and plastic elastic bands that attaches the archwire to the brackets. Periodically, this archwire will be adjusted to move your teeth to the new position slowly.

Besides this type of braces, others include:

Ceramic or clear braces, which are not as conspicuous as the metal
Lingual braces usually placed behind the teeth
Invisible braces called aligner trays which is removable

How braces alter the teeth positioning

Braces exert constant pressure on your teeth for a long time, forcing your jaw to conform to the pressure. This pressure will move the teeth in a new direction.

Though it is mainly believed that the teeth are tightly attached to your jawbone, and you can’t imagine how they can be relocated, the teeth are surrounded by a membrane between their roots and your jawbone. This membrane determines where your teeth are placed, and when it responds to pressure from braces, it allows the teeth to move.

To move your teeth with braces, it will take 2 hours or so for your dentist to install the brace. They will need the following:

Bracket adhesion for even application of pressure on the individual tooth
Elastic band to apply pressure on your jaw
Spacers that adjust your jaw to create space in your mouth
Archwires, which are connected to your bracket to apply the pressure for the movement.
Buccal tube, which is attached to one of your molars. It anchors the other part of the braces behind your mouth
Springs, which may be placed on your archwire to apply pressure between two teeth, press them apart and create space.
Facebow headgear, which may be recommended for the night. It applies extra pressure on the teeth when there is a need for special correction.

Is treatment with braces painful?

Braces may not be painful during installation, but you may feel uncomfortable for some days after the initial placement and adjustment. This pain may be sore, dull, or throbbing. You can relieve the pain from braces by taking some over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.

Braces cost

Some health and dental insurance cover braces for dependent children. But the coverage depends on the provider and the cost as determined by the orthodontist.

Adults may spend between £1,500 and £2500 for their braces in a private clinic. However, treatment with Invisalign is not covered by insurance.

What is the duration of treatment with braces?

Typically, treatment with braces lasts between 1 and 3 years. However, this duration differs for everyone. However, you can shorten the span of your treatment as much as possible by adhering carefully to your orthodontist instructions.

How braces work for children and adults

You can always get treatment with braces, but there are some advantages of starting the treatment earlier.

The underlying tissue and jaw are still very flexible during adolescence, and the teeth will be more responsive to movement. Hence, it may not take so long for them to respond to treatment with braces.

However, when the teeth and jaw have stopped growing for adults, it may be difficult for braces to accomplish some adjustments. Though some adjustments can still be made now, it may take a longer time.

How to care for your braces

You need to do the following to keep your braces in a good state and your teeth healthy.

You need to avoid foods like popcorn, hard candies, chewing gum, and others that can be trapped between your gum line and braces
Since having braces on your teeth makes it more prone to tooth decay, you must reduce the amount of sugar and starchy food you consume
Visit your orthodontist every 8 to 10 weeks for adjustments
Brush your teeth after every meal to prevent food debris from hiding between your braces and teeth

Conclusion

Braces exert pressure on your jawline to adjust your smile. Undergoing orthodontic treatment is beneficial to not just your appearance but overall health. Though braces may work slowly, their duration differs for everyone. Speak to your dentist to ask “how much lingual braces cost”, or the cost of other braces.