Knowing what to expect from orthodontic treatment in Calgary is an important step that encourages patient involvement in their care, which we promote for all our patients.
But, before getting your braces, it helps to know the answers to these questions:
- How often will your braces need an adjustment?
- How to take care of your teeth and braces throughout treatment?
- What foods should you avoid?
- What outcomes can you anticipate from your orthodontic treatment?
- How much is the projected period you’ll be in braces?
Why should you consider getting braces?
To begin, braces can fix an incorrect bite. The aesthetics and functionality of your bite can both benefit from orthodontic treatment. A poor bite (malocclusion) can cause problems for years. Some teeth may crack or chip if an individual experiences too much pressure due to a poor bite. And it can lead to headaches and jaw discomfort as well.
Therefore, a proper bite can help you keep a healthy smile and may lower the risk of decay and jaw issues.
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As a second benefit, braces help straighten up crowded or misaligned teeth. Fixing your misaligned teeth can improve your smile and your dental health. In addition to making it difficult to pronounce words clearly, crooked teeth can be harder to clean, which may raise the risk of gum problems, decay or tooth loss.
How braces move teeth
In a nutshell, getting the braces as part of orthodontic treatment can correct the teeth and jaw misalignment. Several approaches may be taken to achieve this goal, such as braces or Invisalign clear aligners. Your dentist will explain which approach suits you and plan treatment around your individual needs.
Using the appropriate amount of pressure, traditional braces can straighten teeth. Several distinct parts work together to shift your teeth into the optimal position. You still need to take care of your oral hygiene while wearing braces.
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The teeth are shifted because of the consistent, sustained pressure applied by the braces. Over time, the bone around your teeth reshapes to accommodate this pressure.
Teeth are often considered immovable due to their proximity to the jawbone. They are anchored to the jawbone by a membrane located beneath the gums, which regulates tooth movement and adapts to the forces exerted by orthodontic appliances like braces.
Getting braces put on is usually not painful, and the visit often takes about an hour or two. The first week with braces might be the most uncomfortable as your teeth and gums adjust. After having your braces adjusted, you may feel a little tender for a few days. If you need pain relief, ask your dentist or pharmacist which over-the-counter option is safe for you, and use it only as directed on the package.
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Bracket adhesion
Brackets are made of ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel and are glued onto your teeth after thorough cleaning and drying. While bracket application is usually not painful, it may feel a bit annoying.
These brackets allow force to be applied uniformly to your teeth. They are connected by metal wires made of nickel-titanium, copper-titanium or stainless steel. Tell your dentist if you have a nickel allergy.
Bands
Once the brackets are affixed to the teeth, elastic bands called O-rings or ligatures are attached. They are characteristic of conventional brace treatments and hold the archwire in the brackets.
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Spacers
Metal or rubber bands are used to create spacers. Your dentist may place them between your back teeth.
Spacers (separators) make a little room between the back teeth so that metal bands can fit around the molars. Not everyone needs spacers. They are usually left in for about a week or two.
Archwires
Archwires are used to join the tooth brackets together. They’re what provide the necessary force to shift your teeth into position. Stainless steel, nickel-titanium, or copper titanium are all viable materials for archwires.
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Buccal tube
Dental buccal tubes are metal extensions that can be bonded to a back molar. They securely hold the brackets and wires of your braces in place at the back of your mouth. Your dentist can then adjust the tightness or looseness of your braces as needed.
Springs
A coil spring may be used to supplement the archwire of your braces. They work by applying gentle pressure to the area between two teeth, forcing them to move apart and creating more room.
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Facebow headgear
Headgear is rarely necessary and, when used, is usually worn mostly at night. Headgear is a band that works alongside braces to provide extra force to the teeth, helping achieve the desired correction.
How can braces straighten your teeth?
If you’re curious about the reasoning behind our recommendation, you should know that braces work by facilitating what the body does naturally called “bone remodelling.” Even while the thought of bone remodelling may give you the willies, it’s a normal process the body uses to renew bone.
The Periodontal Ligament (PDL) is a connective tissue that holds each tooth in its socket. Steady pressure from the braces signals cells called osteoclasts to break down bone on one side of the tooth, while cells called osteoblasts build new bone on the other side.
Understanding what to expect from orthodontic treatment in Calgary is an important step that encourages patient involvement in their care, which we promote for all our patients.
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What Happens at Each Appointment?
Every four to eight weeks or so, you will usually visit for a check-up and to have your braces adjusted. To keep the teeth moving, the archwire may need replacement or readjustment. Call your dentist sooner if a bracket or wire breaks or pokes, or if soreness does not settle within a few days.
The staff at The Port Dental in Calgary is here to assist you, whether you’re a new patient, preparing for braces removal, or anywhere in between!
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Whenever you have questions or concerns regarding your treatment plan or the orthodontic procedure, it is important to speak with our team. Therefore, you can easily book an appointment to discuss your needs.
Next step: Learn about braces at The Port Dental Clinic in Calgary NE. We are open 7 days a week and accept new patients. Book online or call 403-345-1110.
