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A Guide to Fixed Orthodontic braces

What is my dental brace made up of?

Your dental brace is made up of small brackets glued to your teeth.  The brackets are handles used to hold your teeth and straighten them; the archwire, which runs through the brackets moves the teeth.  We start with the most gentle archwire and gradually move up through five sizes.  The archwire is held in place by tiny elastic bands, which come in different colours.

A metal fixed brace

A metal fixed brace

Will it hurt?

It is usual for the teeth to be uncomfortable for the first few days after the brace is first fitted - stay with a soft diet and if necessary take one or two tablets of paracetamol or ibuprofen.

What if bits break off?

If one bracket comes off then leave it until your next scheduled visit.  If several break off then phone for an appointment to have the brace repaired. Often as the teeth move the archwire sticks out at the back.  If this scratches your cheek come in to have the end cut off (ask your hereford receptionist for a packet of wax in case this happens).

How do I clean my teeth?

Since the brace is fixed you cannot remove it for brushing.  It is extremely   important to spend extra time brushing all around the brace and especially the gums.  If the dirt builds up then your gums will bleed a lot (gingivitis) and your teeth will decay.  Special brushes and fluoride mouthwashes for daily use can usually be obtained from the receptionist of your Hereford dental surgery.

Will there be marks on my teeth when the brace comes off?

Poor cleaning and too many fizzy drinks can cause permanent decay marks.  The importance of thorough brushing and the use of a fluoride mouthwash cannot be emphasised enough.

What about sports?

Contact sports such as rugby present a problem since it is difficult to make a gum shield that will fit over the brace.  A reasonable solution is to buy a cheap gumshield from a sports shop which can be softened in hot water and moulded over the brace.

How long before the brace is removed?

It usually takes about 18 months, occasionally longer, to straighten your teeth.  “Traintrack” braces are very good at straightening teeth so that they look better in months.  It is important to remember, however, that if the brace is removed too quickly before the teeth have settled into their new positions, then the teeth tend to go crooked again.

Teeth crowding before fixed fixed braces

Teeth crowding before fixed braces

End result once fixed braces removed

End result once fixed braces removed

So how are the teeth kept straight after the fixed brace is removed?

Usually we make a removable brace called a retainer to wear at nights for at least 12 months.  Sometimes a wire is fixed to the insides of the teeth to hold them straight. Please ask your orthodontist hereford for more information.

What are the choices available for braces?

The type of braces for teeth can depend on the extent of the treatment, particularly given the fact that all sorts of elements could influence its complexity. Thus, the degree of tooth crookedness and the way the bite is affected are the first to be connected with the choice of the braces for teeth. According to this factor, you will have to wear the braces for a longer or shorter period of time; the dentist may even have to extract some of the teeth in order to make all the applications possible. The price could also be an important factor when it comes to straightening crooked teeth: how much do you afford to pay for the braces?

Very often the aesthetic aspect of the braces for teeth is seriously taken into consideration; given the fact that you’ll have to wear the metal brackets for six months or even a year, you’ll definitely be worried about your looks. This is why ceramic brackets have become the most popular on the market, since they are the least visible braces for teeth. The bands that make the connection between the arch wire and the ceramic brackets are made of transparent or white material, which renders them little visible.

Many people who want to have a perfect smile turn to braces as the right means of straightening crooked teeth. There are all sorts of materials and designs when it comes to braces for teeth, and the offer is so wide, you may have difficulties in choosing: gold or regular metal, ceramic, invisible brackets, lingual braces and more, how should one know what to choose? First of all, the dentist’s advice is crucial when it comes to selecting a certain model of braces for teeth, but the patient’s opinions and wishes are definitely taken into consideration as well. There are several factors that influence the choice, and they all need to be discussed with the dentist.

However, there are certain inconveniences related to the use of ceramic braces for teeth. The most serious issue is that the white or transparent ligatures can easily stain, and then you can say goodbye to your good looks. You’ll have to change the ligatures every time you go to the dentist, usually on a monthly basis; furthermore, this type of braces for teeth is a lot more expensive than the regular metal ones that use traditional brackets. Last but not least, the treatment with ceramic braces for teeth usually takes a little longer than with other regular orthodontic devices; hence you may have to wear the brackets for a few months more.

Invisalign at Hereford Dental Clinic

For a more natural smile you can give up the metal braces and try Invisalign instead. Invisalign snug fitting plastic components can be better way of aligning teeth than using wires and metal braces. This approach has gained in popularity with so many adults wanting to set right improperly formed teeth with Invisalign Hereford.
Before starting off on the Invisalign procedure, a computer is used to create a 3D image of the current and desired states of the teeth. Once the before and after states are decided upon, appliances are created to take the patient through 20 to 30 stages of the process. For each appliance to take effect it takes about two weeks and then it is replaced by the next appliance.
With the introduction of Invisalign by Align Technology in 1999 orthodontics was never the same again. Using this procedure it is so easy to move teeth to their desired position with the help of plastic appliances. While metal braces looked bad and were uncomfortable, these modern plastic appliances are far better on both counts. Because they are removable, patients can take them off before eating and for cleaning their teeth. As a result the patient can be sure of maintaining dental hygiene during the course of the entire treatment.
Invisalign Hereford treatments often do not extend beyond a year for maximum adults. Every individual however has a different exact time requirement for an Invisalign therapy. Every equipment individually may lead to small amount of movement but when seen as a whole, the outcome is outstanding.
The basic advantages of using Invisalign Herefordshire braces instead of regular metal brackets are that they are more hygienic and also more aesthetic. When you eat food or brush teeth, you can remove the Invisalign equipments. This is a huge advantage over metal appliances that tend to catch bits of food and make the brushing process more complex. Apart from everything, the Invisalign aligners also must be worn for a minimum of 20 hours in a day and removed only when important to be able to reach the required outcome.
Invisalign is extremely helpful for jamming or scarcely placed teeth in patients. They can also be used to correct an overbite or overjet and they can successfully treat a crossbite. At times Invisalign are taken into use when some kind of degeneration takes places after the regular orthodontic therapy. As and when the equipments are improved, they become able to attain rotations and extrusions and this further increases their usability area.
Because these appliances are nearly invisible, they are particularly attractive to teens who do not relish the metal mouth appearance during those turbulent years. Invisalign has one creation especially for teens who want to use it and they will be glad to find about this creation. Apart from the artistic advantages, Invisalign Teen also gives the needed power which can take care of the various orthodontic issues for teens. Switching of these equipments is done when the wear indicators in them show certain signs to the orthodontist and this make it easy for the orthodontist to switch at the right time.

Orthodontists in Hereford offering the latest Invisalign

Do you want straight teeth but hate the look of traditional braces? If you are considering braces due to overcrowded or spacing in your teeth, a crossbite, an overbite, or an underbite then Invisalign may be for you.

A new breakthrough in the world of braces is Invisalign. Our Orthodontists can straighten teeth invisibly using clear braces..

Invisalign consists of a series of custom-made plastic aligners that fit over your teeth. Each set is worn two weeks, and a regular course of treatment lasts around one year. There is no wire, or brackets. Invisalign is smooth, clear, and will not cause any irritation in your mouth. The aligners can be removed when  you eat, drink, brush your teeth, or to attend a big social event. No one will notice you are wearing them and they are perfect for anyone who may need traditional braces. Invisalign not only straightens your teeth and gives you the smile you have always wanted, but the aligners also promote healthier gums, improve chewing and speech, and reduce stress to the teeth and jaw line.

Patients have reported that Invisalign is more convenient too: no food gets stuck in traditional brackets, no loose wires, and the aligners are so comfortable it seems like they are not wearing any at all.

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