Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics deals primarily with mispositioned teeth and jaws, their diagnosis, prevention and correction. Myofunction appliance therapy is basically for prevention and interception of a developing malocclusion (imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed). In some cases it is used in corrective treatment of an already formed malocclusion.
Trauma from occlusion is the injury caused to the underlying tissues due to distorted occlusion (wrong bite). This plays a major role in initiation and progression of periodontal disease in lay terms gum disease. When the biting forces exceed the adaptive capacity of the tissues, it results in trauma.
Orthodontic Braces
Fixed orthodontics or Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces) is a device used in orthodontics to align teeth and their position with regard to a person’s bite. They are often used to correct malocclusions (A malocclusion is a misalignment of teeth and/or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches) such as underbites, overbites, cross bite and open bites, deep bites, or crooked teeth and various other flaws of teeth and jaws, whether cosmetic or structural. Orthodontic braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to widen the palate or jaws or otherwise shape the teeth and jaws.
The type of braces you want depends on a number of factors:
- The extent of your treatment, such as:
- The severity of your bite or tooth crookedness problems
- If extractions or surgery are necessary
- If headgear or other special appliances are necessary
- The amount of time you will need to wear braces
Invisible Dental braces, Cochin
Ceramic braces and Invisalign / Clear Aligners are part of invisible dental braces family.
The types of fixed braces can vary depending on the material and the technique involved.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are popularly called Clips. Metal teeth braces are very strong and can withstand most types of treatment. At first they may irritate your gums, but after a few weeks, when your cheeks get “toughened up” they are not a problem anymore. Most traditional metal braces require an elastic o-shaped rubber band (orthodontic rubber bands) called a ligature to hold the arch wire (braces wire) onto the bracket. Sometimes orthodontists use metal tie wires (little wires which are twisted around the bracket) in place of elastic ligatures.
Metal brackets tend to be the least expensive of all the types of braces. They are strong and rarely break. They however have some cons. They are more visible than ceramic and Invisalign (the traditional “metal mouth.”). They tend to be a bit less comfortable at first, (but that feeling wears off after a couple of weeks).
Self-ligating braces can be Metal or Ceramic. Self-ligating brackets can complete treatment in a shorter time with less pain; however orthodontists need special training in these systems, and they not available everywhere.
Ceramic Dental Braces
Ceramic brackets are made of white coloured ceramic materials. They are also called transparent dental braces. They are very strong and generally do not stain. Adults like to choose ceramic because they “blend in” with the teeth and are less noticeable than metal. They are not very noticeable at a distance or in photos. The ligatures (tiny rubber bands) that hold the arch wire on to the ceramic brackets are often white or clear. The ligatures can stain if you eat a lot of curry, smoke, or drink a lot of black coffee. The ligatures are changed each time you get an adjustment – usually, monthly. It’s only the ligatures that stain, not the brackets themselves. Ceramic brackets are usually more expensive than traditional metal brackets.
Fast Braces
Fast braces is the latest technique in fixed orthodontics where the treatment time is anywhere between 4 to 6 months depending on the cooperation of the patients. It is the quickest and the fastest way to get perfectly aligned teeth. FASTBRACES® was invented by an orthodontist in Dallas, Dr. Anthony D. Viazis. This technology is now used by doctors in over 50 countries. It is a more advanced variant of the metal braces system.
Invisible Orthodontic Aligners/ Invisalign
Treatment of misaligned teeth with invisible aligners are a quickly growing field in orthodontics. Invisalign, Clearpath and Clear Aligners are a few leading brands that are available in India. Though Invisalign is the pioneer in this technology, other brands have made rapid advances. Invisible aligners are also called clear orthodontic braces.
Invisalign/ Dental aligners is a new field in orthodontics where removable plastic trays are used for incremental correction of teeth position. The increase in awareness of aesthetics and increase in demand for orthodontic treatment for adults have fuelled the growth and development of invisible aligner technology. The use of CAD and 3d Printing have made this technique more precise and predictable.
Dental Aligners are the invisible alternative to traditional braces and are designed to help guide teeth into the desired positions. Like braces, aligners use gradual force to control tooth movement, but without wires, brackets and elastics. The aligners are made of strong, transparent, high quality plastic material and are fabricated to fit each individual’s mouth. Each aligner moves the teeth in increments until the desired result is achieved.
These clear dental braces are the best options for adults with jobs that are customer facing (avoid Ugly Betty Effect).