**YOUR BRACES**

AN INTRODUCTION

1.      PARTS OF THE APPLICANCE:

A.      BAND are thin metal rings fitted around the back teeth that serve as an attachment        for wires or other appliances.

B.      BONED BRACKETS are small metal attachments cemented directly to the teeth.         They have a slot into which the arch wire fits.

C.      ARCHWIRES are the main wires that run from one side of the mouth to the other.

D.      ELASTIC TIES are ‘o’ shaped rings used to hold the wires into the bracket slots.

E.      ELASTIC CHAINS are ‘o’ shaped rings connected to form stretch-chains used to      move the teeth together.

F.       HOOKS may be attached to brackets or arch wires for attachment of rubber bands.

2.      DISCOMFORT: Some discomfort is to be expected for a few days following the    placement or adjustment of appliances. Aspiring or any similar medication may be      taken if needed. Sometimes the cheek, lips, or tongue may become irritated by the           appliance. This is especially common when appliances are first placed in the       mount. A small amount of was or wet cotton may be applied directly to the metal part to relieve the irritation until the tissue adapts. If you need more wax, please       call our office or ask us for it at your next appointment. If canker sores develop,     rinse with a teaspoon of salt in a galas of war water four times a day for two days.

          Occasionally, chewing forces may bend a wire loop or small tie-wire into the           cheek or gums. A spoon handle, pencil eraser, fingernail, Q-tip, or other object           may be used to either bend down a wire irritating the cheek, or to slightly pull one    out away from the gum. Please call the orthodontist if you need help.

          After the appliances are inserted, and after each adjustment, your teeth may be     sensitive for a few days, and a diet of soft food may be advised.

3.      BROKEN APPLIANCES: Orthodontic appliances are delicate and subject to           breakage. If part of the appliance is broken or loosened, but is not causing           discomfort, please call our office so we can determine if it is necessary to see you   earlier than your regularly scheduled appointment. An office visit for repairs may be necessary to maintain the progress of treatment or to prevent unfavorable           movement of teeth. Also notification of broken appliances in advance may allow         us to allot the extra time in our schedule required for the repairs and to prevent an         additional appointment.

4.      DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:

A.      APPLIANCE DAMAGE: Your braces can be damaged by certain foods. Hard,           sticky, or chewy foods can bend wires, pull bands loose, and break off brackets. If         you damage your appliances, treatment will be delayed and the time in braces will     be longer. If appliance damage is excessive, an additional charge may be made.

B.      FORBIDDEN FOODS: All types of gum, any kind of candy that is hard, sticky, or      chewy (such as caramels, taffy, and jawbreakers), peanut brittle, nuts popcorn,   corn chips, hard rolls, or meat on bones.

C.      NEVER BITE INTO: apples, pears other hard fruits, carrots, corn-on the-cob, hard           rolls, or tough meat, These foods may be eaten with care if cut into thin slices or    small pieces.

D.      AVOID AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE: Candy, cakes, pies, cookies, jellies, and other foods high in sugar content,. Because sugar rapidly forms damaging deposits on the teeth, these foods should be avoided when it is not possible to brush immediately after eating.

5.      TOOHBRUSING INSTRUCTIONS:

A.      IMPORTANCE OF BRUSING: The orthodontic appliance causes a great increase in the accumulation of food and bacterial plaque on the teeth. If plaque is not removed by frequent and thorough brushing, It can cause permanent discoloration and decay of teeth, swollen and bleeding gums, mouth odor, and unsightly appearance.

B.      WHEN TO BRUSH: It is important to brush immediately following each meal or snack, particularly if foods high in sugar content have been eaten. Most of the damage to teeth occurs within the first half hour after eating. You should spend 3-4minutes to thoroughly clean your teeth. Brush at least 3 times per day.

C.      CAN’T BRUSH? If it is not possible to brush, rinse vigorously with water to remove at least some of the food particles trapped by the appliance.

D.      HOW TO BRUSH:

1.      First, scrub the teeth and braces to loosen the larger trapped food particles.

2.      Next, direct the bristles underneath the wire from both above and below. Then angle the brush toward the gum and brush along the gum line. It is especially important to thoroughly brush the portion of the tooth between the bracket or band and the gum line.

3.      Use a scrubbing motion to clean the remaining surfaces of the teeth.

4.      After brushing, rinse and look in the mirror to check that your teeth look clean and your braces shiny.

E.      WHAT TYPE OF BRUSH? A soft brush is recommended.

F.       WATERPIK? This device is helpful in removing food particles from areas the toothbrush cannot reach and should be used after brushing. It is not a substitute for brushing.

6.      MOUTH INJURIES: If an accident occurs in which there is a blow to the teeth or mouth , check for loose appliance, and immediately call for an appointment.

7.      PROTECT YOUR TEETH: If you play hockey. Football, Soccer, or other contact sports, a mouth guard is recommended to help prevent tooth loss r injury.

8.      IMPORTANT: All patients are reminded to have regular checkups with their family dentist throughout orthodontic treatment or guidance. Your teeth can be cleaned, give fluoride treatments, checked for vanities, and usually filled with appliances in place, This is important for all patients, but especially for those with diet and brushing problems.

Early Orthodontic

Early orthodontic is the interceptive orthodontic intervention in children at early age of 6 to 7 years for correction of malocclusions while the jaw is still growing, this treatment involves use of orthodontic appliances and palatal braces for guiding developing teeth and tow bones.

Treatment involves two phases:

·       Early phase is a comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

·       Second phase is much shorter and more effective

Early orthodontic intervention is used in the correction of

·       Crooked teeth and teeth with abnormal angles.

·       In the treatment of under bite in which the lower jaw is too big and upper jaw is too small.

·         In the correction of cross bites.

This orthodontic treatment helps in :

Ø Guiding jaw growth for eliminating skeletal growth defects.

Ø Correcting protruded front teeth.

Ø Breaking harmful habits like thumb suckling tongue thrusting lip wedging.

Ø Improving appearance self-esteem.

Ø Guiding treatment teeth into more favorable and appropriate position

METAL BRACES IN ORTHO TREATMENT

          The most commonly used braces in orthodontic treatments are metal braces. Modern braces are much smaller and comfortable than in past. These traditional braces are more effective in the treatment of severe overcrowding and are comparatively less expensive than clear aligns and ceramic braces. These standard metal braces are mode of high quality stainless steel and titanium. Treatment period may various between 6 month 2 years.

The Braces comprises of :

Bracelets : That are attached to tooth surface.

Archwire : A Thin metal wire connecting all brackets creating pressure on teeth helping guiding                          correction.

Elastics : Ligature elastics and rubber bands helps holding arch wire to bracelets 

These create constant continuous pressure on teeth moving them to proper position.

Additional props like rubber bands and head gives are used for corrections. In course of treatment patient may feel temporary soreness and loosening of teeth which will go away by the completion of treatment.

Maintaining your Braces

·                   Avoid certain chewy foods and hard crunchy foods which may dislodge the brackets.

·                   Avoiding highly fibrous foods which may stick in your braces.

·                   Brushing and flossing is recommended in order to maintaining proper oral hygiene and to avoid staving of tooth surface.

·       Regular follow up appointments with your dentist is maintained as you are weaving braces    for a fairly long they period.

TOOTH COLOURED BRACES

As per aesthetic concern clear, tooth colored braces are evolved in orthodontic teeth corrections. These are made of clear ceramic which are alternative to metal braces. These are least noticeable, which makes you smile with confidence. Tooth colored braces can be used with traditional wire or advanced tooth colored wire. Treatment period of orthodontic teeth corrections with tooth colored braces  may vary on an average of 12-24 months with regular checkup and adjustment intervals on an average 8-12 weeks.

Advantages of using tooth colored braces :

·       These are tooth colored and easily blends with natural tooth.

·       These are made of strong ceramic and so are durable.

·       These are aesthetically pleasing increasing confidence to carry out regular social activates. 

Maintenance of tooth colored braces :

·       Proper oral hygiene maintenance is must.

·       It is advisable to brush teeth under treatment every time after meal.

·       Inter dental brushes and dental floss can be used to clean irregularly aligned teeth.

Biting hard on chewy foods may damage or dislodges these tooth colored braces from tooth surface, so better avoid hard chewy foods.

Clear Aligners

Clear Aligners are alternative to traditional Braces in Controlling tooth movements and Alignments without mental weirs and bracelets.

 These are fabricated with strong, clear transparent plastic material.

Treatment with aligners may various form 6 month to 2 years. Series of aligner are given in cause of treatment and each aligner should be  wore for three weeks before changing to (other) next one for at least 20  hours a day for its maximum effectiveness.

These are removable which are easy to keep clean and are comfortable without irritating gums and cheeks.

 Also useful in reducing wearing off of teeth due to abnormal teeth grinding habits. These are highly recommended for smile and teeth correction in adults.