You and Your Braces
A beautiful healthy smile is an amazing part of looking and feeling your best. The great news is that orthodontic treatment has never been easier, more efficient, and more affordable. Our advanced techniques and materials will increase your comfort while reducing your treatment time.
If you still are not sure that you and your family can benefit from orthodontic care,
just think about your answers to the following questions:
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Do you feel awkward or self-conscious about your smile? Your child’s smile?
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When the camera shutter opens, do your lips close?
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When you look at your smile, do you like what you see? Your child’s smile?
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What does your smile say about you?
Dr. J. Udhaya Raja truly believes that successful orthodontic treatment will unlock the power of your smile. If you notice that you or your family has any of these concerns, please contact our office for making an appointment.
Problems with Teeth . . . .
Crooked teeth (misaligned) can affect the way you chew and talk.
There may be extra spaces or no space at all between crooked teeth.
This can make the teeth harder to clean and you can end up with more cavities.
Sometimes crooked teeth can affect the way your jaws line up and can even cause pain in your jaw and neck.
Fixing Teeth . . . . . . . .
Braces
Orthodontic treatment straightens teeth that are out of place or are growing into the wrong position.
Crooked teeth and jaw problems can be corrected by using braces and retainers.
Braces and retainers work by gently pressing on your teeth over time and moving the teeth into the right positions.
Braces no longer just look like “train tracks” running across your teeth (they way they used to). Today, they come in a variety of attractive shapes and colors.
Most braces are made up of four main parts: bands, brackets, wires, and ties:
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Bands – Flat metal rings that are placed on the molars in the back of your mouth. (Usually there are four bands: two on the top teeth and two on the bottom teeth.) Bands hold the wires in place that are threaded around your teeth.
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Brackets – pieces of specially shaped metal or ceramic that are attached to each tooth. Brackets are the most visible part of the braces. They come in many different colors, shapes and sizes.
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Wires – thin strips of metal that thread through the brackets (see above) and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth.
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Ties – small rubber rings that hold the wire in place on the bracket.
Special instructions on how to clean your teeth with braces:
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Adjustment of your braces approximately every 4-6 weeks.
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Mild tooth soreness during the first week in braces and after adjustment appointments.
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A treatment time of 6-36 months depending on the complexity of treatment.
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A period of retainer wear will follow removal of your braces.
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A discussion of the effect of wisdom teeth on the orthodontic result.
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The degree of success is almost always a reflection of a person’s cooperation during treatment and retention. Active patient participation is always essential for success.
Preserving Your Smile
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Brush after meals with a fluoride toothpaste.
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Minimize chocolates and confectionery which stick to your braces, are difficult to clean, and cause white spots (de-calcification) on the tooth surface.
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Have your teeth examined and professionally cleaned by your family dentist at least once a year.
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Wear your retainer after your braces are removed, to keep your teeth from moving out of alignment.
First Aid for Braces
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If a wire is causing irritation, try pushing the wire away from the area being irritated using the eraser end of a pencil or the blunt side of a spoon? If the wire cannot be tucked in, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or a piece of chewing gum, and call us as soon as possible to fix the problem. Cutting the wire should only be done as a last resort.
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If your teeth are sore after an orthodontic appointment, take a pain-killer such as aspirin, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen unless you are allergic to them. Rinsing your mouth with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water can also be soothing. If you teeth get sore suddenly in between appointments, give your orthodontist a call because it is unusual for the teeth to get sore several weeks after your last office visit.
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If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use your toothbrush without using toothpaste, to dislodge the food particles.
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If a piece of your appliance breaks, save the piece and call your orthodontist to schedule a repair visit.
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If a retainer cracks, bring it to your orthodontist for a professional repair.
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If a permanent tooth feels excessively loose, call your orthodontist to discuss the movement. A little movement is normal when wearing braces, but if a tooth can be pushed upward towards the gums with just finger pressure, that is unusual.