How Do Dental Braces Work To Align Your Teeth?
Dental braces are commonplace in dental practice. Chances are that you have come across several people using one. You must have concluded that they are not for mere aesthetics, they don’t look that pretty anyway. Dental braces in Houston work to correct teeth and jaw malalignment. This article will tell you all you need to know about dental braces near you.
Braces are devices used to correct crowded or crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw. Dental braces in 77018 are made of metal or ceramic, wires, and bonding material that attaches them to the teeth. They are most appropriate for adolescents because jaw and teeth growth is still in motion. By adulthood, realigning the jaw and teeth can turn to be a difficult task. An orthodontist is your go-to professional for dental braces in Houston, TX. Braces are quite successful when used at the right age with strict adherence to the orthodontist’s instruction.
How Do Braces Move Teeth?
Braces exert pressure on the jaw and teeth to move them around. Many of us see our teeth as a structure plugged in right into our jawbone. This is true. However, there is a membrane underneath your gums that roots the teeth into your jaw. This membrane controls teeth positioning and correspondingly responds to the pressure put on the teeth by the dental braces in 77018. Hence, when braces exert pressure over time, the shape of the jaw adapts gradually. Within two hours, your first appointment for braces at your dentist will be over. You will have other appointments for adjusting the dental braces in Houston as the jaw and teeth realign.
Types Of Braces
The type of brace you will use depends on your age and the state of your teeth and jaw. People who have an overbite in addition to crooked teeth will need a different type of brace. Generally, braces are custom-made to the needs of a particular person. Most metal braces you will see are made of metal brackets glued to each teeth. An archwire applies the needed pressure on the teeth and jawline while elastic O-rings connect the archwire to the brackets. As the teeth move into position, the archwire is adjusted periodically and the elastic bands are switched out at your appointments with the orthodontist.
Other braces include ceramic ‘clear’ braces that blend easily with teeth shade and lingual braces which are completely behind the teeth. Invisible/align braces are easy to remove and replace throughout the day. After the braces have done their job, retainers are used to keep teeth in place.
Mini-braces are smaller than the usual braces. They also don’t go around each tooth, thereby taking less space in your mouth. Some say the treatment is faster with them.
Do Braces Hurt? How Fast Do They Work?
The procedure is painless. However, you can feel some soreness in the next few days while getting used to the braces. During and after adjustments, you may feel sore too. The pain is usually a dull type and nothing more than what an over-the-counter pain reliever can relieve.
Most people wear braces for one to three years. If you follow the instructions given by your orthodontist, you should wear it for the shortest time possible. When done in adulthood, the case is different. In adolescence, the jawline and underlying tissue are still moving around and the jawline is flexible. The teeth are more responsive to the pressure here. By adulthood, the response is less and the braces have to be worn for a longer period.
How Do You Maintain Dental Braces?
After getting braces, you need to avoid some kinds of food that can get trapped between the braces and your gum line. These include hard candy, chewing gum, and popcorn. When these foods are trapped, they can cause tooth decay because of their high sugar content. You also have to be careful of consuming sugary beverages and starchy food.
Do not miss your scheduled appointments with your orthodontist. They will check if the realignment is going on fine and assess your oral health for any problems. They will also train you on how to clean your teeth with braces on. A special device known as the interdental toothbrush is good for cleaning underneath and around the archwires and brackets.