Teeth straightening is a treatment used to fix crooked teeth, crowded teeth or to correct an overbite or underbite. Today, adults who missed out on getting braces as children or are undergoing treatment for other reasons have more options than ever.
韓国インプラントMisaligned teeth can cause speech problems, a bad bite and excessive wear of the teeth. There are many different methods for correcting the problem, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Braces
Braces are the most common method for straightening teeth. They use bands, wires and other fixed appliances to apply consistent pressure to each tooth and force them into alignment over time. Most patients wear them for 1 to 3 years. They are best suited for children and teenagers, but they can be used in adults as well if the misalignment isn’t too severe.
Brace components include orthodontic bands, brackets, arch wires and ligature elastics or o-rings. The bands wrap around each tooth, and the brackets hold the arch wire, which conducts the corrective movement of the teeth. Brackets can be made from stainless steel, clear or tooth-colored materials and are bonded to the front of each tooth. The arch wire fits into horizontal slots in the brackets and conducts the force that moves the teeth to a more aligned position.
A special feature of today’s metal braces is that they are heat-activated, which makes them more comfortable and faster than those from a generation ago. The heat of your body or mouth causes the arch wire to bend and curve, which helps speed up the teeth-straightening process. The pressure of the arch wire also helps remodel the bone in your mouth, making it a more aligned place for the teeth to be placed. This is what fixes problems like crooked teeth, overcrowding and underbites or overbites.
Invisalign
Invisalign is an invisible and convenient alternative to traditional braces. It uses clear plastic aligners that are custom-designed for each patient, which helps make them nearly undetectable in the mouth. The aligners are also removable, so patients can eat and drink what they want without worrying about food debris getting stuck in the crevices of metallic braces.
The aligners should be cleaned thoroughly each morning and night before wearing them. This will remove any bacteria buildup and help prevent odors. Additionally, the trays should be rinsed each time they are removed during the day. This will also help prevent the trays from discolouring.
A consultation and examination with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist is the first step to a straighter smile. This includes photos and a digital scan of the teeth, which allows for a personalized treatment plan. The dentist will provide recommendations for the best course of action to correct a wide range of dental issues, including crooked teeth, overcrowding, gaps between teeth, and bite problems.
The dentist will provide a detailed treatment timeline. This timeline is dependent on the severity of your teeth and bite problems, as well as your level of commitment to wearing the aligners. Invisalign is less expensive and faster than traditional braces, but it is important to remember that the results are not immediate.
Six Month Smiles
If you are an adult who is self-conscious about your smile and want to address crooked teeth or gaps and spaces but are not ready for a long treatment like traditional metal braces, Six Month Smiles may be the solution. This accelerated orthodontic solution utilizes clear braces to straighten a patient’s anterior teeth. We can help you determine if this type of orthodontic treatment is right for you during an evaluation at our office.
During this time, we will attach clear brackets to your front teeth and wires that are thin and discreet. Because the goal of this accelerated orthodontic technique is to focus on aesthetic improvements, only your front teeth will undergo treatment. Once your treatment is complete, we will apply a permanent bonded retainer to help maintain results.
In general, patients who are good candidates for this type of short term orthodontics will have a great bite in the back, mild alignment issues in the front, and mild crowding or spacing between teeth. We will examine your mouth, take X-rays and intraoral and facial photographs to make sure you are an ideal candidate for Six Month Smiles before we begin the process.
Typically, you will need to visit us every four to five weeks for adjustments and tightening of the arch wires. During these visits, we will adjust your teeth and tighten the wires to achieve the desired results in about six months.
Retainers
Retainers are custom-made orthodontic appliances that ensure your new straight teeth stay in place after you finish treatment. They are designed to be comfortable and invisible, and there are a variety of types that can be used depending on your needs.
Even after braces or Invisalign have finished treating your smile, it is important to wear retainers regularly. This is because there is a natural tendency for your teeth to shift back into their old positions, which can undo all the hard work that was put in with your treatment. Retainers help to prevent this by placing constant pressure on your teeth, which keeps them in their new positions.
There are two main types of retainers, removable and permanent. Removable retainers are often preferred as they can be removed when eating and brushing, but they have the potential to be lost or damaged easily. Also, they can become germy as bacteria builds up on them. Permanent retainers, on the other hand, are bonded to the back of your teeth in an inconspicuous area and can only be accessed by orthodontists.
Both types of retainers can be made from clear plastic materials or wire and acrylic, depending on your specific needs. They are highly effective if you wear them as instructed by Dr. Sohn, but you need to be willing to make the effort to keep them clean.