Metal brackets, the well-known “braces”, are the most common form of orthodontic treatment and are addressed to both children and adults. The exact time of starting a treatment is always determined by the orthodontist. Although orthodontic problems can be detected as soon as the permanent teeth begin to erupt, we often choose to place the braces at a later time. Before starting the treatment, a detailed clinical and radiological examination is performed as well as taking impressions in order to analyze all the parameters and to organize the treatment plan.
Braces consist of small metal brackets that are attached to each tooth separately on the front surface of the tooth. The hooks are joined together with a special orthodontic wire with the help of an elastic or metal ligature. The wire is what guides the teeth to move in the correct position. On the back teeth thin metal bands or tubes are placed. Other parts of the appliance may be coil springs that push the teeth closer to or away from each other or elastic bands that help correct the relationship between the jaws.
The braces exert a gentle, continuous and constant (stable) pressure on the teeth to move them to the desired position. The mechanical properties of the appliance allow movement of the teeth at all planes of space and enables us to have complete control of the treatment. As the treatment progresses, we adjust the pressure on the teeth until we get the desired result.
After bonding the brackets, we have to follow some rules, to ensure better results and to protect the appliance.
In particular you should:
The role of the parents in guiding the child until these rules become routine is important in the success of the treatment.
No! You will not feel pain either during the bonding or later. What you will feel is some mild discomfort in the first days, which is perfectly normal. When the teeth “get used” to the light pressures they receive, any discomfort will subside. If necessary, you can just take a simple analgesic.
The difficulty you may encounter in the beginning is not the pain but the adaptation to the orthodontic appliance. The feeling in the first days will definitely be different than before, especially when you eat. But you will get used to it quickly and you will not have any difficulty. You can of course use the special orthodontic wax that you can place on the braces in an area where you feel irritation in the cheek or gum.
17 Ifigeneias & Kallipoleos,
Office 101, Lycavitos, 1055 Nicosia, Cyprus
