Dental braces

Dental braces are orthodontic devices that straighten crooked and misaligned teeth and improves the aesthetic appearance of the smile. It consists of small metal or ceramic brackets (braces or locks), which are attached to the teeth with a special adhesive material and ligatures. Brackets are interconnected by wires or arches, which perform the function of gradual alignment of the dentition.

The main goal of the brace system is to gradually change their position and align the bite with the help of constant light pressure on the teeth. If necessary, pulls or rubber bands are additionally used to locally strengthen the tension force in areas where there are problems with crowding of teeth.

Orthodontic treatment helps the patient to achieve the following results:

1. Align the position of the teeth and help position them with regard to a person’s bite
2. Get an attractive smile
3. Change facial expressions
4. Form the correct contours of the face.

However, the matter is not only about beauty. The installation of braces also helps to eliminate functional disorders, physical and aesthetic discomfort.

Reasons why bite adjustment is important

If your teeth are not properly aligned, it will negatively affect you in several ways:

Gum recession – the issue is manifested by exposure of the root of the tooth due to excessive stress on certain areas of the periodontal.
Spasm of facial muscles, pain in the temporomandibular joint, headache. Unevenly distributed pressure increases the load on the head of the mandibular joint, provoking issues with blood circulation and innervation of the temporal region.
Caries development – malocclusion complicates tooth cleaning, which leads to accumulation of plaque, bacteria and further development of caries.
Periodontitis is an inflammatory process of the gums, accompanied by excessive mobility of the teeth, exposure of their roots and loss of bone tissue of the jaws.
Problems with digestion. Poorly chopped and insufficiently moistened food with saliva is more difficult to digest, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal tract disease.

Our orthodontist

Artem Bryzitskyi

Conducts orthodontic treatment: identification of functional disorders of the dentition, diagnosis of diseases of the temporomandibular joint, correction of the dentition (bite) for children and adults, installation of braces, aligners.

Overview: kinds of dental braces

There are several types of brace systems based on the type of construction, material, and mechanism of action

Traditional braces. This is the most common type of bracket system. They consist of metal brackets that are attached to the outer surface of the teeth. Wires or arches connect the brackets to provide the necessary force to move the teeth.

Self-ligating braces. These braces are fitted with a special locking mechanism that allows to hold the wire without the use of rubber 0-rings or clamps. This provides a more effective adjustment of the pressure on the teeth and reduces the number of visits to the doctor to replace the 0-rings.

Lingual braces. This type of brace system is placed on the inside of the teeth, closer to the tongue. They are also called “internal” or “incognito” braces.

According to the material, bracket systems are divided into:

Metal braces. This is the most common type of brace system. They are made of stainless steel. Metal braces perfectly withstand pressure and provide effective correction of the dentition. They can be decorated with colored elastic bands, which make it possible to choose different colors and create a more individual look.

Ceramic braces. Ceramic braces are made of transparent or colored ceramic material, which allows them to look more imperceptible on the teeth. They are less noticeable because they are more similar to the natural color of the tooth. This type of brace is commonly used for patients who do not want to draw much attention to their smile during orthodontic treatment.

After consulting the orthodontist and conducting an additional examination of the position of the teeth and the relationship between the upper and lower teeth, the orthodontist recommends a bracket system that will align the dentition as efficiently and as soon as possible.

Typical treatment times vary from six months to two and a half years depending on the complexity and types of problems
After achieving the desired result of treatment, the braces are removed, and patients are fitted with retention caps or retainers to hold the new position of the teeth.

Indications and contraindications

Orthodontic treatment with the installation of a bracket system is recommended for:

Crowding of teeth. This complicates hygiene and contributes to the development of the inflammatory process in the oral cavity
Dystopia of teeth (the tooth when erupting took the wrong place and position in the dental arch) – this defect can affect the appearance of a smile and cause discomfort and injury to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity
Diastema (gaps between central or lateral teeth)
Disproportionate development of the jaws, which can affect chewing function and facial symmetry
Deformations of the dentition due to the loss of one or more teeth
Malocclusion, or bite defects (deep, open, cross, distal, mesial).

However, it is not always possible to use braces to correct dental issues.

Relative contraindications for the installation of the bracket system are:

anatomical features of the dentoalveolar system
severe degrees of periodontitis
progressive loss of bone tissue of the jaws
structural disorders of enamel and dentin
in some cases, the state of unformed tooth roots
multiple caries
mental disorders.

Frequently asked questions in orthodontic treatment

Braces systems are installed only for children and adolescents?

No. Orthodontic treatment is carried out at any age. Orthodontic structures are installed at the age of 30 and even at the age of 60, depending on the indications.

What determines the duration of wearing braces?

The duration of bite correction by the orthodontic system depends on:

case complexity
patient age (the older the patient, the longer the treatment)
type of brace system
qualifications of a dentist.

Would it be possible to install braces systems during a woman’s pregnancy or lactation?

Orthodontists note that it is possible to wear braces during pregnancy, but it is undesirable to install them. A woman’s pregnancy changes the hormonal background, the exchange of calcium in the body, provoking the following complications when wearing braces:

increased sensitivity of teeth
pain and bleeding in gums
possible increased sensitivity of the mucous membrane to injury

Additional danger for the future mother and her baby can be caused by X-ray diagnostics, which are carried out at the initial stage of treatment. The best and safest option is to consult your doctor and discuss the timing of treatment in advance.

Is it painful to wear braces?

Wearing braces is accompanied by minor discomfort immediately after the installation of the structure or after the use of rods. To minimize pain, reduce the likelihood or intensity of injury (chafing) of the oral mucosa with elements of the bracket system, use a special dental wax provided by the orthodontist after installing the braces.