Orthodontic Treatment For A Brilliant Smile

Taking care of your teeth is important to keep a smile on your face without feeling that the world is staring at your crooked, discoloured teeth. While many children undergo orthodontic treatment by getting braces and other correctional devices for their teeth, adults are also seeing the benefit of fixing gaps, bridges and skew teeth.

By straightening or moving teeth, you will not only look better but have healthier teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure. This is a process that requires time and patience and money for treatment by dentists or specialised orthodontists.

Orthodontic treatment is performed by trained orthodontists who may charge medical aid rates, but is important to enquire about this when booking your first appointment. In the first appointment, you will submit your personal and health details and billing information. Apart from the administration of filling in forms, the orthodontist should consult with you about your needs and suggest any alternative treatments or explain the process that you will go through to have a lovely smile. Your mouth should also be given a full examination with the dentist looking at your teeth, taking x-rays and making plaster models. This will be accompanied by explanations of the findings and treatment time. The teeth could be easy to fix such as an overbite or two protruding teeth, but it could involve a number of teeth and treatment will take longer and require more rigorous treatment. When the teeth dont meet correctly, strain is placed on the jaw muscles, causing headaches and sinus problems. The longer the teeth have been misaligned, the more problematic it becomes and more difficult to rectify. The sooner that treatment is administered, the less time will be taken to straighten the teeth or correct the bite imbalance.

Braces are made from wires and springs that meet at metal plates or a plastic mould. The braces apply gentle forces to teeth to move them to a different alignment. These braces usually feel strange when they are put on, but the wearer gets used to the feeling and it may be sensitive over time, but will not stay sore indefinitely. Invisible braces are merely clear plastic moulds that are hardly noticeable but they are not suited for all patients and tend to be more expensive. No set of braces looks the same as they are structured for a specific patient and they generally stay on between one and two years. Plates and aligners should be worn for 22 to 23 hours a day, but can be removed at meal times and for brushing teeth. Orthodontic appliances usually need adjusting every 4 to 6 weeks and this requires a visit to the orthodontist. Teeth can be damaged if they are not cleaned properly or if sugary foods and drinks are consumed too often. Brackets and wires trap food, causing plaque which could lead to gum disease and brittle, unhealthy teeth. It is even more important to take care of teeth while they are being fixed than after the treatment.

Teeth will shift over years, but it will never go back to the original state if the plate is worn and proper care is taken of the teeth.