Dental Braces in Rancho Bernardo
How Do Braces Work?
Braces are an orthodontic treatment for straightening misaligned teeth and addressing issues like overbites, open bites, and other malocclusions. They consist of a series of metal brackets and archwires.
During installation, your doctor will place your brackets which exerts pressure on your teeth, gently moving them into alignment. The more the dentist tightens the archwires, the more pressure is applied to the teeth. This constant pressure gradually moves the teeth into their correct alignments. Once your teeth are properly aligned, we will remove the braces and provide custom-fit retainers to keep your smile straight.
Traditional Metal Braces
These are the most popular type of braces that consist of metal brackets the dentists stick to the teeth using adhesives. Your orthodontist then threads archwires through these brackets and uses elastic bands to hold the wires in place. Tightening these wires exerts pressure on the teeth, which aligns them to their correct positions.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces also consist of metal brackets and archwires. However, unlike traditional braces, orthodontists place the archwires and metal brackets on the lingual side, which means you can’t see them. It offers a less intrusive option to metal brackets but may be difficult to clean.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work like traditional metal braces but have ceramic or porcelain brackets instead of metal ones. They also consist of archwires and align teeth by exerting pressure on them. They’re more subtle, making them an ideal option for people looking for a more discreet option.
What Can Braces Fix?
Most orthodontists recommend braces for addressing underbites and overbites. The former occurs when your lower teeth extend past the upper teeth, while the latter is vice-versa (the upper teeth extend beyond the lower ones. Braces will apply gradual pressure to move the teeth into their correct positions.
Braces are also ideal for addressing crowded teeth. Braces can help move the crowded teeth into their correct positions to eliminate crowding. Dentists can sometimes use braces with another treatment to get the best results.
You can also opt for braces to address uneven spacing between teeth. You may have large gaps between your teeth that ruin your beautiful smile. Braces will move the teeth closer to one another, reducing awkward gaps between teeth.
Braces Process
Consultation and Treatment Plan
The first consultation involves examining your teeth and conducting diagnostic tests to determine your candidacy for braces. The consultation may include taking X-rays, impressions, and photographs of your teeth. Your doctor will then create a customized treatment plan based on the information from the diagnostics.
Preparation and Braces Placement
Your orthodontist will apply a bonding agent or dental cement to the teeth. Then, brackets, which are small metal or ceramic squares or tubes, will be placed on the front surfaces of each tooth using the bonding agent. Once the brackets are in place, an archwire will be threaded through the brackets. The archwire acts as a guide to move your teeth into the desired positions. It is secured to the brackets using elastic or metal ligatures. In some cases, additional attachments such as rubber bands, springs, or hooks may be placed on the brackets to aid in tooth movement or to correct specific bite issues.
Adjustments and Progress Monitoring
Your orthodontist will schedule an appointment every four to eight weeks to adjust your braces. They will tighten or change the wires, change the ligatures, or make other adjustments during these appointments. Adjusting the braces is necessary to gradually move your teeth into their correct positions.
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