Orthodontic treatment helps in aligning the teeth to support a comfortable, healthy bite along with an improved smile. Braces usually include brackets attached to the back or front of teeth with arch wires passing through the brackets. The arch wires serve as a track that guides each tooth to its proper positioning.

Traditional braces are commonly used to straighten misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment provides numerous benefits to patients. These braces permanently align the teeth and jaw. With proper maintenance, the results of treatment can be experienced over a long time. Most patients wear braces for a span of one to three years. In Glendora, orthodontic treatment is available from reputable and experienced dentists.

Initial Examination and Treatment Planning

Orthodontic treatment starts with a consultation. During this appointment, your dentist will take x-rays for evaluating the placement and health of your jaw, teeth, and other oral structures. Thereafter, they will discuss your expectations and goals to explain the appropriate treatment options. Once you pick an orthodontic system, the dentist will finalize your treatment plan and take impressions of your teeth to begin the process of customized orthodontic braces.

What to Expect during the Treatment

Your dentist uses dental cement to bond the brackets firmly to your teeth for securing traditional braces. Following this, they can connect the arch wire onto the brackets. You need to visit your dentist once a month so that they can evaluate the progress of your treatment and tighten your braces if required.

Over time, your teeth will gently shift to the desired location. Based on the type of braces and extent of your misalignment, the duration of your treatment may vary. The dentist will remove the braces once your teeth are properly aligned. Additionally, they may provide a customized retainer for maintaining the results of the treatment for your newly enhanced smile.

How Do Braces Work?

Braces apply continuous pressure over time to gradually shift teeth in a specific direction. Due to the pressure applied by the moving teeth, the bone changes shape.

The time required for effective brace treatment varies from one person to another, depending on factors such as the severity of the problem; the distance the teeth need to travel, the amount of room available; and the health of the gums, teeth, and supporting bone.

Once the braces are in place, they usually remain for an average of one to three years. Once the braces are removed, patients need to wear a retainer for the first six months. After that, the retainer can be used only during sleep thereafter.

You need to visit your orthodontist periodically to ensure that the braces are exerting required steady pressure on the teeth. Eventually, the orthodontist will make specific adjustments in the springs, wires, or rubber bands of the braces to create more pressure and tension on your teeth. In some cases, braces alone cannot shift the jaw or straighten the teeth. In such cases, you need to wear an external appliance such as headgear at home through the night or in the evening.

[img2]Some adjustments made by your orthodontist to your braces may make your mouth feel uncomfortable or sore. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Motrin to get quick relief from pain if required. In case you experience constant notable pain after your braces adjustment, you must report it to your orthodontist so that he or she can make slightly different adjustments to your braces.

Does Age Influence the Success of Braces?

The mechanical process that moves teeth with braces remains the same at any age. For this reason, both adults and children who want to improve the appearance and bite of their teeth can enjoy the benefits of orthodontic treatments. The primary differences between orthodontic treatments in children and adults are that some corrections in adults require additional treatment along with braces.

Furthermore, the treatments in adults may take longer since adult bones do not grow any further. For Glendora orthodontic treatment, choose a dentist with proven skills and experience to achieve a predictable outcome.

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