How To Straighten Teeth?

Flashing lovely pearly whites is the best way to get noticed, grow your 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 teeth aren't aligned, they tend to grow out of the gums, a process called eruption.

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.

A toothbrush cannot reach between crooked teeth, which can cause gingivitis, a painful gum infection that may require antibiotics.

Straight, well-aligned teeth allow better chewing. This helps digestion, since swallowing food whole can lead to gastric problems.

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

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 glues them onto your teeth. The brackets are connected by archwires that apply pressure, moving the teeth 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 orthodontist's expertise.

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. They are also widely 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; it evolves until we reach adulthood. In young patients, it is easier to move the teeth and slightly reshape the jaw so the teeth are well aligned.

The visible part of the teeth is quite small compared to their 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 millimetre.

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

How are braces fixed?

1. Bracket placement

The dentist first cleans the tooth surface thoroughly. This is done using a chlorhexidine solution that removes the thin veneer of bacteria from the surface.

After a thorough cleaning, the dentist applies glue. A modern dental adhesive is made of glass ionomer and is colourless. On top of the glue, either plastic, ceramic or steel brackets are attached. These are the ones commonly seen when someone smiles.

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

2. Ligatures

Ligatures, also known as O-rings, apply additional pressure and keep the brackets in place. These rings calibrate the pressure on the jaw. They are adjusted at every visit to guide the teeth to 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. A spacer does not have to be fixed. Even if used, they are removed after a fortnight.

4. Archwires

These connect the brackets like girders on a bridge. They allow the collective force on your jaw to be regulated. Ligatures allow pressure to increase and decrease 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 are fixed in the first session.

Afterwards, 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. 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.

Avoid foods that require you to clamp down with a lot of bite force, such as hard candy. Also avoid anything that can get trapped between teeth, 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 for treating misaligned teeth because they are highly affordable.

As long as you don't mind having a funny smile during your teens, braces can positively impact your overall health for years to come.