What is orthodontic Treatment?- By Dr Amir Mostofi DDS, Dip. MSc

Orthodontics involves realigning and straightening the teeth and jaw to improve one's smile and oral health.

Treatments are available to repair gaps between teeth, straighten crooked teeth, and fix an uneven bite. In order to complete this process, braces are used. These are attached to the inside of the mouth for a predetermined amount of time. Retainers are then worn following the end of treatment.

Although orthodontic procedures are frequently carried out for cosmetic purposes, they can also enhance tooth health over the long run. Fixing misaligned teeth that do not fit together is crucial because they are more difficult to keep clean and are consequently more prone to gum disease or tooth decay.

Fixed metal braces and removable clear aligners are just two of the many variations of braces. Here is a summary of the various orthodontic procedures that are offered:

Invisible braces

Modern technology has made it possible to create almost undetectable braces, allowing patients to straighten their teeth more covertly.

There are several varieties of these very undetectable braces:

Invisalign

Your teeth will be gradually straightened using a series of almost unnoticeable, removable custom aligners. Before the next is fitted, a patient wears the previous aligner for roughly two weeks, 20 to 22 hours per day.

There are various variations, including versions specifically made for teenagers. These versions contain "wear indications" that change colour from blue to clear to make sure you're using the brace frequently. Invisalign i7 is a treatment for modest crowding that uses a set of transparent, removeable aligners to straighten teeth in just three months.

Lingual brackets (Lingual orthdontics)

In order to correct your teeth, lingual braces are discreetly positioned against the inside surfaces of your teeth. There are several kinds based on your requirements. Some of them are made specifically to align just your front six to eight teeth. Only your orthodontist can remove these braces when the course of treatment is complete.

Ceramic (white coloured) brackets

These, also referred to as ceramic braces, have a more discrete appearance than standard metal braces thanks to the use of clear or tooth-colored brackets. Clear braces straighten teeth in about 18 to 24 months, just as conventional orthodontic therapy.

Cosmetic adjusting

Contrary to braces, treatment just straightens the front six to eight teeth that are most noticeable. Cosmetic straightening, which takes a more focused approach, uses procedures that are significantly more covert than metal braces to provide results in as little as six months. In fact, a large number of the selections are hardly visible.

The conventional fixed bracing

Due to their effectiveness and dependability, fixed metal braces continue to be a common choice for straightening teeth, especially among teens, although many adults also use fixed braces. With the help of a wire connecting the brackets on the braces, which are glued to the teeth, the teeth are gradually pulled into alignment.

braces that self-ligate

These resemble standard metal braces in appearance, but they use spring clips to attach the wire rather than elastic bands, which decreases friction between the bracket and the wire. Because they are simpler to maintain and permit more tooth movement, these braces are less likely to discolour and may cause less discomfort.

A retainer is what?

Although technically not an orthodontic procedure, retainers are an essential component of the maintenance required to properly achieve straighter teeth. After your braces have done their magic, you will need to wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from trying to return to their unattractive shape.

It takes some time for the gum's elastic fibres to realign themselves around each tooth's new position and cease tugging them out of alignment. Retainers are crucial up until the point that the teeth have stabilized for this reason. In reality, retainers should be worn permanently to ensure that teeth stay in place.

Removable retainer

These have the appearance of a thin, transparent gum shield that is moulded to your teeth to keep them in alignment and for comfort. Patients will need to wear retainers for varying amounts of time, but for the majority, only at night.

Fixed retainer

In these, the retainer is held in place by a stainless-steel wire that is bonded behind the front teeth. You just need to be cautious when brushing your teeth while wearing them because they are incredibly discreet and simple to completely forget about.

The best thing to do is to talk to your dentist if you're curious to learn more about braces and orthodontic therapy.

If you are interested in knowing about your orthodontic treatment options, please do not hesitate to contact the Clinic for Implant & Orthodontic Dentistry on 01903 821822.