What are braces? Do they actually work? How do they work? These are all very common questions that people ask about braces. If you have these questions on your mind, then you just picked the right article.
Understanding what braces are and how they work exposes you to their immense benefits. They are the perfect remedy for individuals who have issues with teeth alignment and would have suffered a lifetime of dental cosmetic problems.
While orthodontic braces are mostly applied during adolescence, they can also be used by children and adults. In this post, we will explain what they are, how they work, and some benefits of using them.
What Are Braces?
Braces are appliances of an orthodontic nature that dentists apply to patients’ teeth to correct misalignment or malocclusion and fix dental health. These appliances are mostly made from plastic or metal wires and brackets. The dentist installs them on the teeth to help in realignment. They can work with or without pressure, depending on the type that is installed.
Malocclusion occurs when the teeth on the two jaws do not align properly. Due to the poor alignment, the teeth tend to protrude over each other. They help to solve this problem by reducing excess space between teeth as well as any form of crookedness. This will make the dental arrangement more attractive and the teeth easier to clean and care for.
How Do Braces Work?
Aside from malocclusion, braces help to fix a wide array of dental issues. Some of these issues include:
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Crooked teeth
Many teens and children wear braces; however, they are also great for adults who experience any of the issues mentioned above. While dentists offer braces, it is actually orthodontists that apply them. With this out of the way, let’s address the question, “How do braces work?”
Braces make use of constant but mild pressure to shift the teeth into their correct positions over time gradually. They don’t just work on the teeth, they also do some work on the jaws to help in improving teeth position and improving the patient’s smile.
Usually, the brackets are glued to the teeth, and they ensure that the archwire are held in place. It is this process that places mild pressure on the teeth and moves them into their correct position. One thing most people don’t know is that the tissue that surrounds the teeth are periodontal ligaments. They can either compress or stretch as the teeth move. For example, when the braces move the teeth to the right, there is correspondent compression on the ligament on that side. Because of this, new bone is formed on the left, so the gap created is not left empty.
Usually, braces fix the teeth in three stages. They include:
- Align and level: In this stage, the braces move your teeth gradually to make them sit side-by-side. During this process, it is possible for the teeth to move in different directions depending on the pressure from the braces. The end result of this stage is that the teeth are arranged in a straight line.
- Adjustments to correct bite problems: Here, they help to fix bite issues such as underbite, crossbite, and overbite. It will also help to close gaps between the patient’s teeth.
- Fine-tuning: Finally, they help to tidy up and fine-tune the teeth so that they all sit in the best position. Once this is done, the dentist can remove the braces.
Getting Yours Installed
Do braces work? Yes, they do, and this post has explained the process to you. When getting your braces, you need to visit a registered dental clinic. If you are in Nigeria, consider visiting Luxe Dental Clinic. We have experience with helping individuals like you install them and ensuring that the process is free of any challenges so that the desired goal is achieved. Want to get started? Click here to visit our website or book a session with us via this email, info@luxedental.com.