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Braces At Winchester Orthodontic Practice
The No1 Orthodontic & Facial Aesthetic Practice In Winchester.
Braces - Fixed Appliance
Before placing braces on your teeth you will need a check-up for decay or gum problems. Do visit your dentist, hygienist or the School Dental Clinic regularly, even when you are wearing braces.
Braces can be fixed or removable.
Fixed braces consist of brackets bonded or cemented to your teeth (to get a hold of them like a handle) and very thin metal wires that gently push or pull your teeth into their correct positions.
The wire is held into the brackets with a steel ligature or a coloured plastic ring. Some brackets have clips to hold the wires and no ties are needed. Brackets can be made of metal or tooth-coloured ceramic or plastic. Ordinary fixed braces are bonded to the front of your teeth. There are also braces that can be bonded on the back of your teeth (lingual braces).
Removable braces are occasionally used when you are still growing or if you still have baby teeth left. Functional removable braces are used to change jaw growth to correct your bite.
Steps in Fixed Braces Treatment
First Visit:
X-rays, photos and impressions for plaster study models of your teeth are taken. Your orthodontist will plan your treatment using these records. Occasionally where the teeth are very crowded and there is not enough space in the jaws for all of them, permanent teeth are removed. The extractions are done just before or just after the fitting of your braces.
Second Visit:
The braces are either fitted or bonded on to the teeth. This is a pain free process. Full help is given on the care of the braces and an explanation given on what to do in case of problems.
Subsequent Visits:
Every 4 to 8 weeks adjustments are made to the braces by way of wire-changes, adding springs, elastics or other accessories.
NOTE: Accessories are necessary to make your braces work. Elastics are often used to get your upper and lower teeth to bite together properly. It is very important to use all accessories exactly as you have been told, if not, progress of the treatment stops and may in some cases may reverse.
When treatment is completed:
Your fixed braces will be removed at a debonding appointment, followed by removal of cement and the polishing of your teeth. Moulds of your teeth in their new positions are taken to make retainers. After your braces are removed, you will need retainers to hold your teeth in their new positions for the next few years.
How long does treatment take?
The normal period of treatment with fixed braces is usually about 15-18 months with the newer self-ligating braces, but longer in more complex cases. You will need to make time every 4 - 8 weeks to visit your orthodontist regularly if you wish your treatment to finish well and on time.
How will braces affect my daily life?
Speech: With regular fixed braces, speech is normally not affected at all. However, if your condition requires a palatal expander appliance to be fitted at the roof of your mouth, this may interfere with your speech. If you have lingual braces or a removable brace, you will take some time to learn to speak properly with the braces.
Playing musical instruments: If you play a musical instrument with a mouthpiece, it will take you one to two weeks of good practice before you become as skillful as before.
Brushing with braces:
With braces on, your teeth are more difficult to clean. Do not leave food on your braces. Brushing your teeth properly after every snack and meal will reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. In addition, four minutes of brushing is needed every morning and night. Have your toothbrush available to brush after meals as well as at your orthodontic visits. You can use disclosing solution to check if your teeth are clean. You will need to replace your toothbrush more often as it will wear out faster.
Eating and diet restrictions:
Eating hard food or biting on large pieces of food may dislodge the brackets or bands and damage the wires. Avoid eating nuts and biting on nails or pencils. Do cut hard fruits into small and thin pieces before eating them. Avoid food and drinks with high sugar content such as sweets and soft drinks.
