How To Straighten Teeth?

How To Straighten Teeth?

14th July 2020

Flashing the lovely pearly whites is the best way to get noticed, increase one’s circle of friends, and influence people.

But sadly, nature is not always kind. According to orthodontists, four out of ten kids have a misaligned bite. As we grow older, the jaw develops, and the crooked alignment becomes more noticeable.

What’s more, the teeth on the upper and lower jaw keep each other in place. If the upper and lower tooth is not on top of each other, they tend to grow out of the gums – known as erupting.

What’s the alternative? Get your tooth straightened out and placed in perfect alignment as soon as the permanent tooth is strong enough. The best age would be about 15 though children as young as ten and adults as old as thirty also opt for treatment. Tom Cruise, Hollywood heartthrob since the mid-80s, proudly sported braces at four decades old!

Benefits of Teeth Straightening

Crooked teeth gather debris causing painful cavities. If left untreated, extraction could begin as young as 25.

The toothbrush cannot reach between crooked teeth causing gingivitis, a painful infection of the gum that needs antibiotics.

Straight teeth that are perfectly aligned allow better chewing. This helps digestion since swallowing food whole leads to gastric problems.

It makes us look more aesthetic and pleasing. Facial symmetry is an essential factor in likeability, and teeth alignment helps it much.

What are braces?

Traditional metal braces are one of the most common options you could use. They work by applying pressure. They may be made of metal or ceramic. A bonding material used to glue them on to your teeth. The brackets are connected by archwires that extend a lot of pressure making the teeth fall into line.

They are adjusted every 2-5 weeks, and treatment can last up to 36 months if teeth are severely out of place.

Braces do not hurt, but it takes a lot of time to install them correctly. Much also depends on the expertise of the orthodontist.

The principal drawback of the braces is that they are unsightly. Most kids shy away from wearing them, and even if they have been installed, want them taken out.

However, they work really well and are not very expensive. It is also a commonly available option and very readily available. Every orthodontist receives thorough training regarding installing and adjusting braces during their graduate study.

How to straighten teeth with braces?

Braces gradually move the teeth in the intended direction by exerting pressure. The shape of the jaw is not constant but evolves till we reach adulthood. In the case of young patients, it is quite easy to move the teeth and reshape the jaw slightly so that the teeth are well aligned.

The visible part of the teeth is quite small compared to its entire size. The crown or the visible part is crooked because the root that anchors the teeth to the gums is not in the proper place. By exerting force on the top it is possible to move the root to a small extent. Of course, this movement is less than a millimeter.

When braces are first fixed, they cause soreness because the roots are not used to an external force. But with time, the discomfort vanishes, and the bone reshapes itself.

How are braces fixed?

1. Bracket placement

The dentist would first clean the teeth surface thoroughly. This is done using a solution of Chlorhexidine that removes the thin veneer of bacteria from the surface.

Following a thorough cleaning, glue is applied. A modern dental adhesive is made of glass ionomer and is colorless. On top of the glue, either plastic or ceramic or steel brackets are attached. It is these that can be commonly seen when one smiles.

The brackets are joined to each other using tiny wires made of surgical grade stainless steel or copper titanium alloy.

2. Ligatures

Ligatures, also known as O-rings, are used for applying further pressure and keeping the brackets in place. The pressure on the jaw is calibrated with these rings. They are adjusted during every visit to make the teeth grow in the right direction.

3. Rubber Spacers

Spacers are most often made of rubber. Alternatively, your dentist could use synthetic material like plastic. They are placed adjacent to the molar and push the jaw forward from back to front.

This allows the braces to fit if the back of the mouth is too small. It is not mandatory that a spacer would be fixed. Even if used, they are removed after a fortnight.

4. Archwires

These connect the brackets together like girders on a bridge. They allow the collective force on your jaw to be regulated. Ligatures allow for an increase and decrease of pressure on one tooth, and the archwires work on the jaw as a whole, making it grow the way the dentist wants.

They are made of the same material as the brackets and fixed in the first session. Afterward, the tension they exert is changed as often as required.

5. Coil Springs

Some brackets may be joined by springs. Whereas archwires pull teeth closer, springs push them apart. The entire braces are made of brackets, archwires, and coil springs.

How to maintain braces?

The braces are delicate. Any misalignment would cause your teeth to grow in the wrong direction and cause pain.

You have to avoid food that requires you to clamp down with a lot of bite force such as hard candy. Anything that gets trapped between teeth is also best avoided, such as popcorn and chewing gum.

Though major adjustments happen every few weeks, you may have to visit the dentist to have your teeth cleaned of debris in between.

Should you opt for braces?

Absolutely, though, there are other alternatives, such as Invisalign – a clear aligner. Braces remain the most used method of treating misaligned teeth because it is highly affordable.

As long as you do not mind having a funny smile during your teens’ braces can impact your oral health and overall health very positively for years to come.