What is the Procedure for Applying Braces?

It wasn't all that long ago that simple cosmetic procedures were the realm of science fiction. No liposuction to take care of those problem areas, no contact lenses or LASIK to eliminate the need for glasses and no braces to fix those crooked teeth. Fortunately, those days are behind us, and millions of Americans get braces each year. Lets take a deeper look into orthodontics and find out the procedure behind applying braces.

Identification

Before the first braces are applied to the patient's teeth, the doctor must evaluate the need for braces in the first place. Some people believe that braces are used only in cases where the teeth are crooked, or crowding each other out. This is untrue. There are actually many reasons behind the application of braces. Some of these are: Correcting an overbite or an underbite, closing the distance between teeth and bringing the lips and teeth into a proper alignment.

Benefits

Braces are used in these cases in much the same way a stick is used to aid the growing of a tree. It pulls the teeth forward (or backwards), together (or apart), and keeps them aligned properly so that it changes the entire structure of the tooth line. This isn't done overnight, of course. Braces must be worn for a period of usually no less than one year in order to achieve the desired effect. This is sometimes followed by a secondary period of time in which the user no longer has braces, but must wear a plastic retainer for at least part of the day. This prevents the teeth from moving back into their old positioning.

Types

In today's world of orthodontics, the patient has a few choices when it comes to what kind of braces they get put on. There are braces that come in the traditional metal, or there are plastic braces, and even some that are made from ceramic. Still, the most common form still chosen are the metal braces. The plastic and the ceramic braces are sometimes chosen for vanity reasons, but they can still be seen rather easily, and after a while, these types of braces can become discolored from food, tobacco, or coffee. Orthodontists also warn that ceramic and plastic braces typically have to stay on longer. The cost of braces will of course depend on treatment time, the part of the country you live in, and your chosen doctor, but $2000 to $5000 generally covers the range.

Function

The procedure for applying braces includes the following steps:
1. The orthodontist will fit the patient's teeth with very small brackets. These brackets are held on with an extremely strong dental adhesive.
2. Once the brackets are in place, the orthodontist will slide arch wires through the brackets. These wires are the agents of change. They will act as the stick in the tree, so to speak, guiding the patient's teeth into their new growth position.
3. Finally, ligatures, which look and function like very small rubber bands, are fitted around the wires and brackets to hold everything in place. If there is an overbite to be corrected, there may also be the addition of removable rubber bands which hook from the bottom row of teeth to the top row, creating tension that will slowly pull the front teeth back.

Warning

Braces aren't painful, per se, but they can lead to a fair degree of discomfort. For a while after getting braces (and again after each tightening), the patient will experience soreness along the teeth and gumlines. For the first few weeks after getting braces, there may also be some adjustment to having the braces in the mouth. The wires and brackets are a new irritant to the patient's lips and inner cheeks, and this can lead to some further discomfort. This will generally go away after a short time.