Braces can address a variety of dental issues, including crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or a misaligned jaw. They are made up of brackets, wires, and bonding material. It is a common and highly effective treatment option. But, how do braces straighten your teeth? Below you will find why braces are effective and why they are right for you.
How Braces Straighten Your Teeth
While it is clear that braces are effective in moving your teeth, you may wonder how it is actually done. Braces place consistent pressure on your teeth for extended amounts of time. The shape of your jaw adapts to this pressure. The membrane underneath your gums is surrounded by your bones that root your teeth to your jaw. It may seem like your teeth are rooted into your jaw bone and unable to move. However, this membrane controls your teeth’s position and effectively responds to the pressure from braces.
All the Components
Brackets, wires, and bonding material are necessary components of your braces. Brackets help apply even pressure to your teeth as they move. They are applied to your teeth using special glue. Brackets can be ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel. They are connected by wires and are made up of copper titanium, nickel titanium, or stainless steel. There are additional add-ons depending on your unique dental needs. Some of the most common include the following:
- Bands: While they are not always used, when necessary they help apply extra pressure to your jaw in order to move your teeth.
- Spacers: Rubber bands or metal rings are referred to as spacers. They are often placed between your molars and help push your jaw forward by adding space in the back of your mouth. They are not used for the duration of treatment and are usually only used for a week or two.
- Buccal Tube: These are metal pieces that can be attached to one of your molars. They allow your dentist to release and tighten various parts of your braces.
- Facebow Headgear: This is rare and is used to put extra pressure on your teeth. These are only used when special corrections need to be made.
Are Braces Right for You?
People most often associated braces with adolescence. However, braces are an effective treatment option for adults as well. The first step in getting braces in Yucaipa is scheduling a consultation. Once it has been determined that you are a good candidate you can begin treatment. Depending on your unique dental needs, braces treatment often lasts between one to two years. During your treatment you should expect to visit the dentist every 4 to 8 weeks. These are beneficial as your dentist can evaluate the progress of your treatment, in addition to tightening or replacing your wires.
An Effective Treatment Option
Braces are a highly effective treatment that have very successful outcomes. However, it is important to remain vigilant about your daily oral care routine, never miss regularly scheduled dental appointments, and use caution when eating certain foods. You should continue with your daily oral care routine, which should include brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash when you cannot brush.
With braces, you should also clean your teeth after every time you eat if possible. Leftover debris can get caught in your teeth and braces, which can cause issues with your treatment plan. You may need to avoid certain sticky and hard foods as well as they can damage your braces. Talk with your dentist about how to care for your teeth during braces treatment to ensure optimal results. If you are considering cosmetic dentistry in Yucaipa, contact Shodhan Dentistry of Yucaipa.