When you need an orthodontist for braces or any other appliances, look for one that hired high-quality dentists and uses high-tech equipment to assess your needs. Whether you are seeking braces, of which there are many types, or if you are seeking retainers, headgear, or lingual arches, you will find what you are looking for at a top-quality orthodontist.
According to orthodontists, malocclusion can result from a number of things including but not limited to early tooth loss, overcrowded teeth, crooked teeth and a poorly aligned mouth.
Very commonly, patients visit the orthodontist to straighten their teeth using braces. These devices are generally very effective for those who use them, and are ideally to be used in adolescence when the bones are still in their growing phase.
How do tooth braces work?
Braces can be made of metal such as stainless steel, ceramic or other materials depending on the type. The most common are the traditional metal braces that use a system of metal wires and brackets to pull the teeth into alignment.
In general, regardless of the type of materials used, braces are generally made up of wires and bonding material that helps them remain attached to the teeth. The problem with stainless steel or other metal braces is the high visibility, but if you are not too concerned about this problem, the metal braces are generally the cheapest. They are very effective, too.
Other types include ceramic braces that have a similar structure to the traditional braces, but are more teeth colored to reduce the visibility effect.
Another type of braces is lingual braces near me. They are also known as inside braces, because of their highly reduced visibility. This method also employs brackets, wires, and elastic bands to fix the misalignment, but they are placed behind the teeth. Generally, these braces are custom-made by the orthodontist in Miami, FL after an accurate impression of your teeth is taken or a digital scan of your mouth is taken; this ensures that the braces fit well along your teeth. Finally, the braces have to be tightened and adjusted to gradually realign your teeth into the correct position.
Once the treatment period with the braces is complete, you will most likely be asked to wear retainers for a period of time. These ensure that your teeth will be set in their new position instead of shifting to their previous positions. The orthodontist will advise you on if you need to wear them every day for 24 hours or if you can wear them only at night. Whatever the case, it is important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions. Ask your orthodontist for more options if necessary.
Lingual holding arch
Orthodontists may use a lingual arch for class II malocclusions. This is an orthodontic appliance that joins the two molars of the upper dental arch (or the upper two molars) or the lower dental arch (or the two molars of the lower teeth).
When used in the upper arch, the arch wire is generally connected to the two upper molars through the palatal vault, and is also known as the trans palatal arch or TPA. The primary reason for using the TPA is to ensure the width of the dental arch is maintained and to stop the molar from tipping. In short, the trans palatal arch is a space maintainer and expander in the upper jaw.
Lower lingual holding arch
Alternatively, the lower lingual holding arch or LLHA can be used as well. This device is great for patients who have overcrowded mouths. Generally, these cases may be more severe than what braces alone can fix. This lower lingual holding arch is a space maintainer and is generally attached to the lower first molars and is connected by a wire that is lined along the inside of the lower teeth. It stops the lower molars from moving or shifting forward. This prevents the baby teeth from blocking the permanent molars.
What is a better solution than retainers after braces?
Generally, there isn’t a better option.
In children with overcrowding problems, or who have suffered an early loss of baby teeth, the orthodontist will generally leave the lower lingual holding arch in place (to provide leeway space for the permanent teeth) until all their permanent teeth have erupted.
After the installation of these devices, one may experience altered speech in the initial days because of the foreign object in the mouth that the tongue has to get used to. As a result, one may experience increased saliva production which is the body’s natural response to a new object in the mouth and should reduce once the body gets used to it in a few days.
You may or may not notice some irritation in the mouth also because of the new device. To reduce the discomfort, orthodontists may recommend rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater or orthodontic wax over the areas of discomfort.
It is important to follow the guidelines given by your orthodontist in Miami, FL in caring for either your braces or your lingual arches, and children should be reminded to avoid playing with the wires in their mouths.
How to keep my teeth clean?
In general, it is important to care for your teeth whether you are undergoing treatment or not. Your orthodontist may advise you to avoid certain types of food. In general, if a food is crunchy, sticky, hard or chewy, you will want to avoid it during your orthodontic treatment. It is of the utmost importance to avoid sugary drinks and beverages, because they can result in tooth decay as your teeth are more difficult to clean while you have your orthodontic treatment appliance.
- If you indulge in some of these foods, you may find that your wires or brackets may break and be painful and you would have to attend another appointment to get them fixed.
- You will also need to be extra cautious to avoid chewing or biting your fingernails or pens or pencils if you have that habit in general. These can damage your brackets, wires and devices.
In general, it is necessary to clean the in-between spaces between the braces because this is a prime place for food particles to get trapped. If these spaces are not well cleaned, the braces and teeth can become stained and discolored and plaque may develop and can lead to tooth decay.
How should we brush our teeth?
It is necessary to brush after every meal with a good fluoride toothpaste containing about 1350-1500ppm using a soft bristled toothbrush. An interdental brush can be used once a day to clean between the braces and underneath the wires.
When brushing your teeth, it is good to clean each tooth individually. The brush should be placed at a 45-degree angle to the gum and gentle pressure should be applied while the toothbrush is moved in a circular motion, for about 10 seconds. This should be done for all teeth including the inner and outer surfaces. Ensure to reach any smaller teeth. Once you have finished brushing, you should spit out, but avoid rinsing your mouth. This can remove the fluoride toothpaste. Avoid using mouthwash immediately after brushing as it can dilute the fluoride around the teeth.
Contact Us
IVANOV Orthodontic Experts, 12866 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL 33181
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=154326063970645489
Call us at (786) 540-1919 to schedule a free orthodontic exam.
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