Braces are used to move teeth into the ideal position and align how they bite together, known as occlusion. While some patients may have the ideal bite, others may suffer from varying degrees of crowding, spacing, or misaligned bite. There are some reasons why people need braces. Most commonly, people need braces to:
Straighten their teeth. Teeth that are crooked or misaligned can cause problems with people's bites, the way they chew and process their food. If a bite is off, it can lead to larger problems in the jaw and even cause headache and backache. Teeth in a crowding condition can cause the teeth to overlap, rotate, and in some cases grow into the incorrect position in the mouth, or in more extreme cases can cause the tooth trapped in the bone. Crowding makes teeth difficult to brush and floss correctly, possibly resulting in tooth decay or gingivitis.
Bite correction. Many people have deep over bites, when the upper teeth extend too far forward. There are also people with under bites, when the bottom teeth jump out farther than the upper teeth. Both of these bites are bad, it can lead to tension in the jaw and will keep you from biting properly. Deep over bites and under bites can also cause bone damage.
Cosmetic reason. Some people get braces because they want to improve the look of their smile. Many people think that perfectly straight teeth are pretty and are willing to undergo the years of orthodontic work in order to have a "perfect" smile.
How long do i need to wear braces ?
The amount of time you need to wear your braces will depend on your situation. Typically braces are worn from a year and a half to two years, though they are sometimes worn for longer than that. It depends on what your ortho-dontist is trying to accomplish for you.
Types of braces
The right time to meet an Orthodontist
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children should be seen for their first orthodontic consultation no later than age 7 to do a pre-screening. It will give the orthodontist an opportunity to use preventative measures to possibly correct situations that may lead to braces in the future. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment may consult with their dentist at any time, since it is never too late to consider correcting your teeth.
Phases of orthodontics treatment
Pretreatment. During this phase, the orthodontist will perform a clinical exam, takes an x-ray of your mouth and head, and makes a mold of your teeth. These information are used to determine treatment plan and what dental appliance to use during treatment.
Active treatment. This is the time when your dental appliance is in place and you will visit your orthodontics for periodic adjustment.
Retention. After you complete an active treatment, your orthodontist may have you wear a retainer to keep your newly aligned teeth in place.