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 Your dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having
healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth
are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, worsen
gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can
contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing
function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports
the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic
headaches and face or neck pain. Treatment by an orthodontist can
be less costly than the additional care required to treat dental
problems arising as a result of orthodontic problems. For most people,
a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After
your braces come off, you'll feel more self-confident.
Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic.
They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth.
By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction,
braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great
time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket
was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear
or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold
the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used
to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort
to patients.
Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending
on the growth of the patient's mouth and face and the severity of
the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously
to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ
from the original estimate. The patient's diligent use of any prescribed
rubber bands or headgear is an important factor in achieving the
most efficient treatment. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures,
may take as few as six months.
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