Orthodontic Braces Treatment

In orthodontic treatment, braces are devices placed on the teeth to correct facial and lower jaw irregularities. When applied promptly, children’s jaw developmental disorders can be corrected. Furthermore, in adults, this method can treat misalignments between the teeth. Children with such problems should be examined at the earliest, around age 7-8. Since molars and front teeth are in place at this age, it’s crucial to have them examined and treated. Early treatment with braces will be completed sooner. This can also help prevent misalignments that may occur later in life.

Jaw Surgery Before/After Treatment

How to put on dental braces?

Brackets are an essential element of fixed braces. Brackets are manufactured from various materials by various companies and can be made of porcelain, metal, or composite. Metal braces are the most commonly used. Porcelain braces are white and tooth-colored, making them preferred for children who find braces a problem. They are also preferred for adults due to their aesthetic appeal. Brackets come in two types: lingual braces, which are placed on the front of the teeth, and lingual braces, which are attached to the back. There’s an adjustment period of 3-10 days after the braces are fitted. While some tingling pain may occur during this time, this is temporary.

What are the benefits of dental braces?

Braces are generally used to treat teeth irregularities and  jaw  irregularities in children. Braces placed on the teeth last for 1-1.5 years. Braces that remain in place longer than this are common in individuals who have neglected treatment. Treatment is complete when the teeth meet perfectly. This procedure, which poses no health risks, is also recommended for adults with misaligned teeth. Permanent teeth, located beneath the primary teeth, correspond to each primary tooth. When this alignment is not healthy, the teeth grow in different directions, pushing into the cheek and palate. Orthodontic braces are essential for these problems. Braces do not affect the length and width of the teeth during development. They do not alter the structure of the teeth if they are small. They can be used effectively on all teeth if there is separation or misalignment.

What should people with braces pay attention to?

People with braces should prioritize their cleanliness. While they have the freedom to eat and drink whatever they want, they should avoid sticky foods. These foods are recommended to avoid as they will stick to the wires during consumption. This can also cause the brackets to break. If these items stick to the wires, they can cause them to loosen and lead to bacterial growth. Furthermore, it’s best to avoid excessive cola consumption. Because bacteria from poorly cleaned braces can lead to tooth decay, cleaning your braces is paramount.

What should be done when braces are damaged?

During orthodontic treatment, brackets can sometimes break. These can be caused by factors such as consuming hard substances, chewing gum, or sticky products like jelly beans and Turkish delight. These can cause brackets to break. While these treatments are rare, an emergency situation can occur. However, a broken bracket will not cause any harm. If a bracket breaks, it’s important to inform your doctor. The broken part will be reattached.

Is braces treatment painful?

People don’t feel any pain during the braces treatment, which is when they are placed in their mouth. However, some adjustment may occur during the initial 3-10 days. The pressure applied to your teeth to move them may cause some discomfort. However, this is similar to adjusting to glasses. Just as you get used to wearing glasses, you get used to braces during this process. The pain is only sufficient to cause tenderness. These effects can be relieved with painkillers and mouthwashes.

How long does braces treatment take?

Braces treatment duration varies from case to case. If the patient is young but has skeletal abnormalities, treatment takes 2-2.5 years. If there are no such abnormalities, that is, only crooked teeth, treatment is completed within 9 to 24 months. Tooth movement in adults is slower than in children. In adults, skeletal abnormalities may require additional treatments in addition to braces. Braces treatment typically lasts an average of 1.5-2 years.

Is braces treatment expensive?

Braces are not expensive. This is because if patients were to correct their misaligned teeth with procedures like dentures, it would be more expensive than braces. Don’t let the length of orthodontic treatment deter you. This treatment targets patients whose teeth are misaligned and need to be corrected. After successful treatment, patients will have a more beautiful smile with their own teeth.

Do braces leave stains?

Considering that braces treatment lasts an average of 1.5-2 years, stains may appear under the brackets when they are removed. However, this only happens to people who haven’t paid attention to oral hygiene during treatment. This can lead to tooth decay when the brackets are removed. What we call staining on teeth is actually the formation of tooth decay.  Those who maintain good oral hygiene during treatment  are unlikely to experience tooth decay.

Can braces be used to treat deformities that may occur in the future?

Braces can be used to correct potential dental deformities. Orthodontic treatment can be used to preserve the space of prematurely extracted primary teeth, or if a dentist detects potential dental abnormalities, preventing these problems can be prevented. However, this requires early dental visits. It’s recommended that children begin seeing a dentist starting at age 5. This allows for early detection of orthodontic abnormalities.

How are braces used for children?

The most useful orthodontic braces used in some cases in children are the removable braces. These are comfortable for children to use. They are easy to clean and simple to put on. They are painless when placed in the mouth. Some children dislike wearing braces, as their appearance is bothersome. For these children, thin wires can be used. These are called invisible braces, which are ceramic and white in color. There are also braces that are attached to the back of the teeth. These types of braces are used for patients with problems or aesthetic concerns. All other types of braces are visible from the front. In addition to these types, there are also braces with colored brackets and elastics. These are designed to appeal to children, as children may prefer to wear the colors of their favorite football team. The most commonly used braces are metal.

Are there aesthetic braces for adults?

For adults, there are cosmetic braces made of porcelain, the same color as the teeth. These are very noticeable up close. However, they move slower than metal braces. Furthermore, compared to metal braces,  porcelain  braces are bulkier and more prone to breakage. Despite all these drawbacks, porcelain braces play a significant role in encouraging adults to accept orthodontic treatment.