Dental Brace Guide

Some patients would like to have straight teeth but without showing the braces. A certain type of braces, the lingual braces, is placed behind the teeth and works just as well. Just like the regular braces it could be used for both the upper and lower teeth. The lingual braces have to be custom made to fit your teeth and they are more costly than regular braces. Wearing braces requires an adjustment period which usually lasts from 1 to 4 weeks. The part of the mouth affected by lingual braces is the tongue which in turn affects your speech when you first wear them. Regular braces, on the other hand affect the lips and the cheeks.

• An Instant Orthodontics procedure is complete in as little as two office visits

• You can have a straight new smile in a couple of weeks rather than a couple of years

• Instant Orthodontics does not involve painful and cumbersome appliances

• Your instant orthodontic procedure not only straightens your teeth, but also corrects a host of other cosmetic issues, including cracking, chipping, staining, and unevenly sized and shaped teeth

• The porcelain veneers used in Instant Orthodontics procedures replicate the color, texture, and luminescence of natural tooth enamel for a clean, natural look

• Harder and more durable than enamel when bonded into place, your porcelain veneers can actually reinforce your teeth

Essix Retainer or more popularly known as clear plastic retainer, is being used one or two days after the braces are removed by the orthodontist. Essix retainer is somewhat similar with the Invisalign appliance. I’ve been hearing a lot of complains regarding this type of retainer. It was said that this retainer is the most uncomfortable retainer ever that’s why some patients would rather stop in using it. Orthodontists are advising their patients to patiently wear them at night for two straight years, depending on the case. After that, the orthodontist will now replace is with the traditional type of wire retainer.

Invisalign, the leading alternative to braces, has many advantages: needs fewer appointments with your orthodontist; removal of the aligner while eating; and can take chewy, sticky foods. After you’ve eaten, the teeth are cleaned by brushing, flossing and rinsing with water and the re-aligner is then placed in. for cosmetic appearance, the aligner is invisible therefore it is not evident that the person is having his teeth aligned. It is usually worn 22 – 24 hours a day and is only removed when eating. The treatment using this appliance takes around 12 months. The time and cost differ in relation to the degree of abnormality and the patient’s willingness to use it.

Brush, using a special toothbrush, in between wires and gums to release any food particles that may have stuck in your dental braces.
Position bristles at 45 degree angle toward the gum and begin with the outside surface of your upper teeth. Brush in a circular motion two to three teeth at a time. Follow the same procedure for the inner surfaces.
Repeat the process for the lower. Rinse and check to see if all particles have been removed.
Floss in between braces daily.
You can use toothpicks and other similar devices for cleaning under brackets.
See your dentist at regular intervals for thorough cleaning of your dental appliance.

We have several ways that orthodontics can be used to help improve the way that a patient’s teeth align. When our parents were teenagers, it used to be that metal, obvious and often painful braces were the only solution to this type of problem.

Today, the products are much more easier to use. The braces are less difficult to care for and they are better looking. Some brace products such as Invisalign, are able to go unnoticed, too. Another thing, many people of all ages can get this type of help from kids to teens to adult. This means that you can take care of the overbite that you have.. It’s never too late!

Wearing braces do not limit your ability to eat. It is possible to eat almost anything but some foods amy damage your appliances and should be avoided.

Crunchy foods – this includes nuts, seeds, popcorns, hard snacks and chips, ice and frozen foods
Hard breads and finger foods – includes corn on the cob, chicken wings, chicken bones and spare ribs
Chewy foods – sticky, chewy candies, gums, soft caramels
Sugary foods – foods with high sugar contents that may cause tooth decay. If you have to eat any of them, see to it that you rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth at once.

To prevent relapse, or the teeth moving to the original position, after the treatment with braces is completed the dentist usually recommends the use of retainers. There are different types of retainers available: the Hawley retainer, which is made of metal hooks enclosed in an acrylic plate and shaped to fit the palate; the Essix retainer, which is made of clear plastic tray and is form-fitted to the teeth and being held in place by a suction; and the bonded retainer, which is made of a wire which is permanently held in place to the inner side of the teeth near the tongue.

Braces are investments in oral health. Initially, patients experience soreness but may be relieved if they go along with the following suggestions:

1. Irritation – use of wax, cotton and gauze to cover dry, inflamed areas, until your mouth has adjusted.
2. Food – the first few days after wearing your appliances, or after adjustments are made, you will only be able to take soft foods.
3. Brushing – you should brush your teeth and massage your gums, in front of a mirror, after every meal. Check for any particles that you may have missed.
4. Breakage – do not play with any part of the appliance with your tongue. If something is broken or comes loose, see your orthodontist.

There is a new veneer process called Lumineer. This new type of veneer surgery will exempt patients from the usual drilling involved with regards to the operation. These kind of veneers come with a ten year warranty so long as regular check up with the resident dentist is observed. Lumineer is available under the practice of cosmetic dentistry. Artificial teeth or cosmetic teeth as most people may know it is especially popular because of the porcelain veneer procedure. Despite the pain involved, clients still find themselves undergoing the operation just to have that pearly white perfect smile.